Pune FC Under-17s added another feather to their cap winning the 2nd Late Kunal Pillay Memorial 9-a-side tournament conducted under the aegis of the Poona District Football Association (PDFA) at the Mathurawala Ground in Wanowrie on Sunday.
In the final, Pune FC U-17s defeated AIYFA Sky Hawks 5-4 in a thrilling penalty shootout to clinch their historic first ever title at the local level. Interestingly, the triumph was also Pune FC U-17’s second this season after winning the Administrator’s Challenge Cup in Chandigarh back in September.
Having logged three back-to-back convincing wins over Khadki Blues, Chetak FC and Pune City Police en route to the final, Pune FC came up against a strong AIYFA Sky Hawks side in the big game. With both sides failing to get on the scoresheet in regulation time, the game progressed into the dreaded penalty shootout.
While Sky Hawks converted all their first four kicks, Pune FC converted three through Abhishek Mhaske, Sebastian Thangmuansang and Tapas Pal as Buanthanglun Samte’s effort was saved. Leading 4-3, Sky Hawks needed to convert the last kick to win but were denied by a brilliant save from Pune FC custodian Anuj Kumar. Muirang slotted home the next kick for Pune FC to level scores and the take the game into sudden-death.
With Sky Hawks once again missing in the sudden death opener, Asish Rai converted for Pune FC handing them a thrilling 5-4 win.
Top Goalscorer - Abhishek Mhaske
Meanwhile, Pune FC striker Abhishek Mhaske received the ‘Top Goalscorer’ award having found the back of the net 4 times in the competition.
RESULTS
Final: b AIYFA Sky Hawks 5-4 via sudden-death
Goalscorers: Abhishek Mhaske, Sebastian Thangmuansang, Tapas Pal, Muirang
Semifinal: b Pune City Police 3-1
Goalscorers: Lalremruata 4′, Abhishek Mhaske 40′, Sebastian Thangmuansang 40+1′
Quarterfinal: b Chetak FC 4-0
Goalscorers: Lalremruata 6′, Abhishek Mhaske 9′, 24′, Muirang 31′
Pre-quarterfinal: b Khadki Blues 4-1
Goalscorers: Lalremruata 14′, A. Hendry 26′, Buanthanglun Samte 37′, Abhishek Mhaske 40+1′
