Pune FC Under-19s began the new campaign with a convincing 3-0 win over city-rivals Bharat FC in the Evolve Cup opener at the DSK Football Field in Loni on Monday.
Goals from Harsharan Khabra (17th minute), Sannik Murmu (27th) and Balkar Singh (55th) handed Pune FC all three points from this Preseason Friendly Tournament clash. The competition also includes Under-19 teams from Bengaluru FC, LFC-DSK Academy and Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools.
Playing with a new look squad, Pune FC dominated proceedings right from the word go. Midfielder Md. Yasir went close first in the 8th minute when he struck the upright from outside the box.
At the quarter hour mark, Harsharan Khabra went close went his effort from the edge of the box sailed wide on the left. However, he made amends a minute later, when he gave Pune FC the lead with some intelligent play.
Breaking away on a counter down the middle, Yasir skipper past a couple of defenders to find Harsharan on the right, who did well to slide the ball past the Bharat FC custodian with a low attempt at the far post.
Six minutes later, it was winger Pawan Pratap Singh who had an attempt saved by the keeper, before Pune FC struck again.
Lalremruata capitalised on a blunder from the Bharat FC custodian just outside the box on the right. The diminutive winger then skipped past a defender inside the box and set up Sannik right in front of the goal. The attacker made no mistake in slotting the ball home and doubling the lead.
Pune FC went into the breather with a two goal advantage.
The second half was a similar story as Pune FC continued to press ahead. The constant pressure paid off and it took them just ten minutes to increase their lead.
After the rival custodian handled the ball just outside the box, the referee awarded Pune FC a freekick. Substitute Balkar Singh stepped up and drilled a low shot through the wall into the back of the net to make it 3-0.
Thereafter, Pune FC continued to create numerous chances through Balkar, Sannik and Abhishek Mhaske. However, they lacked the killer finish in the final third as the game ended 3-0.
