Under-19 I-League: Pune FC held to a 1-1 draw by Kenkre FC

Pune FC were held to a 1-1 draw by Mumbai's Kenkre FC in a Under-19 I-League Round-4 encounter at the Pune FC Training Pitches in Mamurdi on Friday.

Despite taking an early lead through medio Sanchayan Samadder’s 17th minute strike, Pune FC were denied all three points by Kunal Mhatre’s equaliser deep into first half added time (45+2^nd).

The draw also meant that Pune FC finished their home campaign on seven points after four games (2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) and stayed second in the group behind leaders DSK Shivajians (12 pts) at the halfway stage in the zonal round.

Coming off a fabulous 7-1 win against PIFA Colaba in the previous game, Pune FC looked high on confidence against Kenkre FC.

Pune FC began the game on the offensive, attacking the rival goal from the opening minute itself. Striker Farukh Choudhary struck a fine volley after kick-off, only to be denied a goal by Kenkre custodian Joe Paul Bence.

Thereafter Pune FC began to press on. While the battle in the opening quarter was mostly limited to the mid-field, Pune managed to make darting runs. On the other hand, Kenkre were defending deep trying to prevent Pune FC from settling in and running riot over their defences.

In a span of two minutes however, Pune FC had two great chances to open their account. In the 11th minute Arif Shaikh passed the ball to Farukh who shot just wide off the bottom left net. A minute later, Chesterpaul Lyngdoh, who raced down the right flank had no one to beat but the keeper, shot the ball over the goal from point blank range.

Pune FC finally broke the deadlock in the 17th minute through midfielder Sanchayan. Defender Asheer Akhtar picked a pass from custodian Sukhadev Patil and headed it to Chesterpaul. He in turn, passed it in to Sanchayan who fired it past the Kenkre custodian.

Having taken the lead, Pune FC tried to double the lead through attacks down both the flanks. On the other hand, Kenkre tried to counter with long balls however to no avail.

While Pune FC played high up front, the Kenkre defence line managed to hold off attacks from Farukh, Altamesh, Sanchayan and Chesterpaul. On the other hand, Kenkre were content defending deep and making an occasional counter attack.

A defensive lapse proved costly for Pune FC in second minute of first half added time. It began with Sanchayan earning a yellow card for a rash tackle on Atif Shaikh. The resulting free kick which was taken by Prabhjyot Singh found Kunal Mhattre who lobbed the ball over Pune FC's custodian Sukhadev to pull Kenkre level going into the breather.

The second half began in a similar fashion with Pune FC once again dominating proceedings through fine attacks up front from Pradeesh Clement and Sannik Murmu, but Kenkre's keeper Joe Paul was up to the test braving quite a few knocks in the process. 

Midway through the half, Pune FC had a great chance to take the lead. However, Farukh’s miscued kick on Sannik’s cross saw the clear chance go abegging.

Pune FC kept up the pressure and had a flurry of attempts on the rival in the following couple of minutes. However, it was keeper Joe Paul’s brilliance that kept Kenkre in the game as he thwarted all the attacks.

Despite almost camping in the Kenkre half, Pune FC were unable to find the finishing touch in the final third as they kept on missing several chances throughout the half.

Into the final quarter, Pune FC continued to press high up, but Kenkre defended deep to hold on to a 1-1 draw.