Pune FC Under-19s cruised into the semifinals of the Ashok Vanjari Memorial Cup with a 4-0 quarterfinal win over CMS Falcons at the DSK Football Field in Loni on Friday.
A brace from Farukh Choudhary (48th, 53rd minute) along with goals from Balkar Singh (25th) and Harsharan Khabra (69th) handed Pune FC a comfortable win.
Having begun the brighter of two sides, Pune FC almost took the lead in the fifth minute. However, striker Farukh Choudhary’s header from close range cannoned off the vertical.
Nonetheless, Pune FC kept on pushing up before taking the lead with a finely crafted move in the 25th minute. Controlling the ball in the midfield, Farukh sent playmaker Md. Yasir clear on the left flank. The youngster floated in a brilliant cross into the box finding Balkar who scored with a calm header.
As the half progressed, Pune FC created a few more chances but fell short in the final third and took their narrow one goal lead into the breather.
Eight minutes after the restart, Pune FC doubled their lead after some great skill by Farukh. The tall striker beat the offside trap to control a long ball before finishing past the Falcons’ custodian from close range.
Three minutes later, Pune FC increased their lead after another wonderfully crafted goal. Substitute Gaurav Bora stole the ball on the right flank before sending Sannik Murmu clear near the box. The winger sprinted past his marker and cut back across the goalmouth for Farukh who tapped in to complete his brace.
Pune FC then sealed the win in the 69th minute when substitute Harsharan Khabra got on the scoresheet. The youngster backheeled home from close range after some good work by Gaurav down the right flank.
