U19 I-League: Pune FC go down 1-3 to AIFF Regional Academy

Defending champions Pune FC were checked in their stride by AIFF Regional Academy, Navi Mumbai (ANMA) going down 3-1 in an U19 I-League Round-4 encounter at the Fr. Agnel Ground in Vashi on Thursday.

Winger Chesterpaul Lyngdoh (37^th minute) gave Pune FC the lead in the first half before second half strikes from Milan Basumatary (59^th), Rakesh Oram (82^nd) and Robinson Singh (89^th) handed ANMA all three points.

Pune FC stay in second place with 6 points from three games while ANMA (12 pts) lead the table

Pune FC began the game on the offensive and went close twice inside the opening ten minutes. First striker Vikas Zanje’s effort was saved by the keeper and then Chesterpaul saw his attempt sail over.

Midway through the half, Pune FC once again went close through skipper Henry Monsang. His 35-yard swerving freekick was however palmed away by the rival custodian.

Into the final ten minutes of the half, Pune FC finally took the lead. Left-back Subhasish Bose’s cross in from the left, found striker Yumnam Arnold Singh on the top of the box. The striker laid off for Chester on the right who made no mistake in drilling the ball home.

Pune FC had a glorious chance to double their lead before the break. After Arnold did well to get into the clear on the right, he sent in a low cross for medio C. Kiran. The midfielder, with the goal in front of him somehow hit wide.

Having dominated the first session, Pune FC took their slender one goal advantage into the breather.

The second half was a different story as ANMA capitalised on the defensive lapses by Pune FC to come back into the game.

The hosts equalised around the hour mark on a counter attack down the right. After winger Sanchayan Samadder lost the ball, a counter saw Milan get into the clear and score past an advanced Avilash.

At the other end, Pune FC went close through Chesterpaul whose 30-yard effort was saved by the keeper.

The hosts took the lead into the final ten minutes through another defensive error. A miscommunication right-back Kaushal Singh and ‘keeper Avilash Paul saw striker Rakesh get into the clear and lob home.

Six minutes later, the hosts scored once more. After getting into the clear down the middle, Robinson drilled a low shot that bounced just in front of a diving Avilash before ending up in the net.