Subroto Cup: Pune FC Under-17s off to a flying start; hammer Bengaluru FC 5-0

Pune FC Under-17s opened their campaign in the 56^th Subroto Cup International Football Tournament with a 5-0 thrashing of Bengaluru FC in a Pool-G encounter at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday.

A second half brace from striker Lalawmpuia (60^th & 68^th minute) and goals from winger Buanthanglun Samte (15^th), full back Kiran Saravanan (43^rd) and defender Asish Rai (71^st) Pune FC to a massive win.

Playing their first competitive game after their triumph in the Administrator’s Challenge Cup in Chandigarh a week ago, Pune FC began dominating this 35-minute per half game right from the word go.

After few early chances, Buanthanglun Samte broke the deadlock at the quarter hour mark. The winger hammered home Kiran’s inch-perfect cross from the edge of the box to get on the scoresheet and give Pune FC a one goal lead going into the breather.

With a one goal lead, Pune FC began playing freely in the second half and doubled their lead instantly. Kiran with a neat finish from close range made it 2-0 in the 43^rd minute.

Striker Lalawmpuia then struck twice in the final quarter to give Pune FC a four-goal cushion. First he converted from the spot in the 60^thminute after a rival defender handed the ball in inside the box. Thereafter, the diminutive striker beat the offside trap and finished past the Bengaluru FC custodian in the 68^th minute.

Three minutes later, defender Asish Rai rounded off the big win scoring in the first minute of injury time to seal a 5-0 win.

Pune FC will now face AIFF Academy’s Under-17 team in the final group game on Saturday, 10^th October for a place in the quarters.