More than the teams, this particular match pitted two of the finest managers in England against each other: Pune’s David Platt against Kerala's Peter Taylor. In a thrilling display which swung one way and then the other, the home team Pune just proved a step ahead of the visitors. Their secret weapon? Nicky Shorey.
The game sprung into life from the word go and it was Kerala Blasters who drew first blood, albeit in slightly controversial circumstances.
A mere few seconds into the match, Tuncay Sanli was apparently fouled on the right flank. The 33-year old Turkish striker went down clutching his knee in agony. However, for all his troubles, the referee, instead of awarding a free kick to Pune, signalled a throw-in to Kerala. The Blasters wasted no time in taking the throw and for a moment the Pune defenders seemed to have gone to sleep. That was all an opportunistic Chris Dagnall needed and he bolted down the right flank before showing great strength to shake off FC Pune City captain Didier Zokora and deliver an inch-perfect cross to an onrushing Mohammed Rafi who did the simplest of jobs which he is famous for: head in a goal. With just 48 seconds into the match, this was the fastest goal in the history of the ISL.
But this early goal did not shell-shock the home side. Instead, they regrouped and started pressing for an equaliser. Didier Zokora unleashed a shot after a good run in the 13th minute, but it was at a comfortable height for the goalkeeper Stephen Bywater who parried the ball away.
It would turn out to be just a warning though ‒ as Pune surged forward and Kerala back-paddled, it seemed only a matter of time before the home team got back on level terms.
Pune left-back Nicky Shorey got hold of a ball in the 16th minute and lifted in a delightfully weighed cross to striker Kalu Uche, who made no mistake from a point-blank header. The delighted crowd at the Balewadi Stadium made their appreciation very clear.
Pune lead
And they had more reasons to celebrate in the 23rd minute. It was the same Shorey-Uche combination at their lethal best. Again, Shorey was the provider as he deceived and dashed past two defenders before sliding in a cross into a crowded area in front of the goal. Uche got to the ball first, and poked it into the goal for his second of the night.
Now it was Kerala’s turn to regroup and they did not take long to respond.
In the 30th minute, Josu did well to deliver a cross from a tight angle near the corner flag and the ball was met by a header from Rafi. It hit the right post, rolled across goal and hit the left post before going in for Rafi’s fourth goal in three matches.
It seemed like a personal duel was going on between Uche and Rafi in a crazy first half that saw the battle see-saw from one side to another. Chances kept on flowing at both ends with Uche and Rafi always at the thick of things. The neutrals were praying for the first half to keep on going.
However, much to the relief of both sets of fans, the teams went into the dugout with the scoreboard reading 2-2, setting the tone for an eagerly anticipated second half.
Drab second half
The next 45 minutes however, were drab as compared to the first. Both teams were understandably cautious and chances were few and far between.
But then, as it turned out, one team was slightly better than the other and this time the presence of a superior quality player made the difference.
It was Nicky Shorey once again who did all the actual hard work. Another trademark sprint down the left flank, another trademark cross and this time the trademark header was met by none other than Tuncay Sanli, who scored with his first proper chance in the 72nd minute.
Pune see it through
And this time Pune City FC did not get complacent. They kept their focus and saw out the rest of the game without any real trouble. Substitute Cavin Lobo did get a shot on target in the 94th minute but goalkeeper Steve Simonsen made light work of it. More than a joyful eruption, the final whistle brought on a collective sigh of relief from the home crowd.
Pune will be happy that they managed to get a win in a match which could have favoured either side really. But they got the required three points and now sit pretty at the top of the league table with 12 points.
For Kerala Blasters though, they were undone by their lack of quality. Hero of the match Nicky Shorey, with his three assists proved to be the difference between the winning and the losing team. Though Kerala may not have someone like Shorey to assist them, they do not have any dearth of talent. But they need to convert that talent into performances. After this loss, their disastrous start to the season continues, and they are rooted to the bottom of the table with just four points. Coach Peter Taylor has a lot to ponder on.
The game sprung into life from the word go and it was Kerala Blasters who drew first blood, albeit in slightly controversial circumstances.
A mere few seconds into the match, Tuncay Sanli was apparently fouled on the right flank. The 33-year old Turkish striker went down clutching his knee in agony. However, for all his troubles, the referee, instead of awarding a free kick to Pune, signalled a throw-in to Kerala. The Blasters wasted no time in taking the throw and for a moment the Pune defenders seemed to have gone to sleep. That was all an opportunistic Chris Dagnall needed and he bolted down the right flank before showing great strength to shake off FC Pune City captain Didier Zokora and deliver an inch-perfect cross to an onrushing Mohammed Rafi who did the simplest of jobs which he is famous for: head in a goal. With just 48 seconds into the match, this was the fastest goal in the history of the ISL.
But this early goal did not shell-shock the home side. Instead, they regrouped and started pressing for an equaliser. Didier Zokora unleashed a shot after a good run in the 13th minute, but it was at a comfortable height for the goalkeeper Stephen Bywater who parried the ball away.
It would turn out to be just a warning though ‒ as Pune surged forward and Kerala back-paddled, it seemed only a matter of time before the home team got back on level terms.
Pune left-back Nicky Shorey got hold of a ball in the 16th minute and lifted in a delightfully weighed cross to striker Kalu Uche, who made no mistake from a point-blank header. The delighted crowd at the Balewadi Stadium made their appreciation very clear.
Pune lead
And they had more reasons to celebrate in the 23rd minute. It was the same Shorey-Uche combination at their lethal best. Again, Shorey was the provider as he deceived and dashed past two defenders before sliding in a cross into a crowded area in front of the goal. Uche got to the ball first, and poked it into the goal for his second of the night.
Now it was Kerala’s turn to regroup and they did not take long to respond.
In the 30th minute, Josu did well to deliver a cross from a tight angle near the corner flag and the ball was met by a header from Rafi. It hit the right post, rolled across goal and hit the left post before going in for Rafi’s fourth goal in three matches.
It seemed like a personal duel was going on between Uche and Rafi in a crazy first half that saw the battle see-saw from one side to another. Chances kept on flowing at both ends with Uche and Rafi always at the thick of things. The neutrals were praying for the first half to keep on going.
However, much to the relief of both sets of fans, the teams went into the dugout with the scoreboard reading 2-2, setting the tone for an eagerly anticipated second half.
Drab second half
The next 45 minutes however, were drab as compared to the first. Both teams were understandably cautious and chances were few and far between.
But then, as it turned out, one team was slightly better than the other and this time the presence of a superior quality player made the difference.
It was Nicky Shorey once again who did all the actual hard work. Another trademark sprint down the left flank, another trademark cross and this time the trademark header was met by none other than Tuncay Sanli, who scored with his first proper chance in the 72nd minute.
Pune see it through
And this time Pune City FC did not get complacent. They kept their focus and saw out the rest of the game without any real trouble. Substitute Cavin Lobo did get a shot on target in the 94th minute but goalkeeper Steve Simonsen made light work of it. More than a joyful eruption, the final whistle brought on a collective sigh of relief from the home crowd.
Pune will be happy that they managed to get a win in a match which could have favoured either side really. But they got the required three points and now sit pretty at the top of the league table with 12 points.
For Kerala Blasters though, they were undone by their lack of quality. Hero of the match Nicky Shorey, with his three assists proved to be the difference between the winning and the losing team. Though Kerala may not have someone like Shorey to assist them, they do not have any dearth of talent. But they need to convert that talent into performances. After this loss, their disastrous start to the season continues, and they are rooted to the bottom of the table with just four points. Coach Peter Taylor has a lot to ponder on.
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