FC Goa moved from the bottom of the 2016 Indian Super League table to seventh place through Rafael Coelho's inch-perfect free-kick, which beat FC Pune City keeper Apoua Edel's dive to his right. The goal was enough for the away side to hold on to a 1-0 win at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Thursday.
It was Pune who looked better on the ball in the opening exchanges, but, their attacking line floundered in front of goal yet again. Goa survived an uneasy phase early in the match and their defence came good for the first time as they eked out their second win of the season.
A world-class free-kick from Coelho in the 32nd minute beat Pune goalkeeper Apoula Edel's full-length dive as Goa took the lead. By closing spaces down and showing a little more verve going forward, it looked likely that Zico's team would double their lead. Joffre came close around the hour mark, but spurned a good opportunity. Sloppy play from both teams meant that the ball was bogged down in midfield for large spells in the second half.
Goa kept the Pune attackers at bay and in the dying minutes of the game, had another chance to get their second goal. Coelho ran ahead of the Pune defence, but Rahul Bheke's fabulous goal-line clearance denied the Brazilian to get his second.
Brief score:
FC Pune City 0 lose to FC Goa 1 (Rafael Coelho)
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