Airtel I-League: Ten-man Pune FC go down 0-3 to Dempo SC

Ten-man Pune FC suffered a 0-3 loss to Dempo SC in a final round I-League encounter at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex, in Pune on Monday.

A brace from Afghan defender Haroon Amiri (20^th & 25^th minute) put Dempo SC in the driver’s seat before a  late strike from substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua (90^th) handed the visitors all three points.

The hosts played the second half with ten-men after defender Gurjinder Kumar was sent-off for a second bookable offense in the 55^thminute.

The loss meant Pune FC ended their I-League 2013-14 campaign in the seventh place with 29 points from 24 games, their lowest finish ever (7W – 8D – 9L).

Coach Mike Snoei made three changes to the lineup handing starts to Shanmugam Venkatesh, Calum Angus and Douhou Pierre.

Pune FC dominated the opening quarter and created a couple of chances with playmaker Riga Mustapha going the closest from edge of box only to be denied by 'keeper Laxmikant Kattimani.

Minutes later, Dhanpal Ganesh went close but his grounder on the run was blocked by the keeper after being set up by Mirjan.

Twenty minutes in, Amiri put the visitors 1-0 up heading home Holicharan Narzary's cross in from the right.

Five minutes later, Amiri doubled the lead while completing his brace. Timing his run to perfection, the Afghan international nudged home Clifford Miranda's freekick in from the right flank from close range leaving Amrinder Singh helpless.

Three minutes later, Calum Angus played a quick one-two with Douhou Pierre on the left while taking a corner. The Englishman then created space and let fly from the edge of the box only to be denied by Laxmikant Kattimani at the near post.

Moments later, Douhou went on a brilliant solo run carrying the ball from the Pune FC half and covering almost 40-yards. However, his attempt from 5-yards outside the box down the middle was wayward.

In the 38th minute, Pune FC went agonisingly close. Riga set up Mirjan on the right but the Australian's effort from inside the box went inches wide at the far post.

Three minutes from the break, Douhou sent Mirjan through on the right inside the box. However, Mirjan's low attempt was blocked by the keeper and the stray ball was cleared before Anthony D'Souza could reach it.

Pune FC made their first change bringing in Prakash Thorat for Ganesh after restart. The move instantly made impact as Prakash went close but his attempt from close range went wide.

Prakash was once again in action as went on a brilliant solo down the right before being brought down. However, Calum's freekick that followed deflected off the wall for a corner.

The hosts were reduced to ten men a minute later as Gurjinder recieved his second booking after bringing down Alwyn George on a counter.

Pune FC kept on pushing ahead and went close two minutes past the hour mark, but Riga's looping header on Anthony's cross was saved by the 'keeper.

Four minutes from time, Douhou cut in from the left and let fly from 25-yards out. The powerful shot was saved by Kattimani and the stray ball fell for substitute Thongkhosiem Haokip who blasted his effort over from three yards out.

Into the final minute, substitute Jeje - on for Tolgay - tapped in from inside the box after some good interplay between Sanju Pradhan and Alwyn to hand Dempo a win.