ISL: Elano misses penalty as FC Pune and Chennaiyin play out 1-1 draw

Pune: Both FC Pune City and Chennaiyin FC continued their unbeaten runs after a 1-1 draw at the Balewadi Stadium that included a number of chances wasted at both ends. John Mendoza Valencia was the stand-out performer — extracting a couple of brilliant saves from Pune goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya and hitting the base of the post after a fine run in the first half. He also took a long range effort in the opening minutes, with the ball swerving wickedly away from Arindam who readjusted superbly to keep it out. [caption id=“attachment_1798323” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Elano missed a penalty after a foul in the box during a corner. ISL[/caption] But most glaring was Elano Blumer’s missed penalty in the 16th minute after Daniele Magliocchetti had committed a foul in the box during a corner. Such is the Brazilian’s form that one would bet their house on him scoring. The 33-year-old had another chance in 12 minutes later — when Bruno Cirillo needlessly pushed over Mendoza in an off-the-ball challenge. The freekick was in Elano’s zone and his attempt rattled the crossbar as Pune struggled to contain a period of domination from Chennaiyin just after they had conceded. It was Mendoza who eventually got the equaliser — one he could not be denied after the legwork he put throughout the 90 minutes. The ball broke for the Colombian in the 58th minute when he and Balwant Singh powered into the box. The goal cancelled out Kostas Katsouranis’ tap-in from a peach of a cross sent in by Israel Gurung from the right wing — the tricky winger’s meaningful contribution limited to just that one moment as he was quickly closed down every time he tried to cut in to his stronger foot. He also missed a sitter from a Dudu Omagbeni’s square pass inside the box with just the keeper to beat. The home team started strongly with the goal — pouring forward in numbers with Davide Colomba troubling down the left and Dudu’s powerful runs keeping Marco Materazzi and Mikael Sylvestre busy. The Nigerian striker had a couple of excellent chances — the first one sweeped off his feet by Gennaro Bracigliano and the second a lobbed attempt that went wide with the keeper off his line. Materazzi’s only complaint from his otherwise consistent team can be that it was just Mendoza running on to long balls in attack — his technique at controlling the ball and running with it causing havoc in the Pune defence — the rest of Chennaiyin’s attack, including Elano, reduced to mere spectators rather than involving themselves in play. While Lenny Rodrigues was on the pitch, Pune won the midfield battle hands down with him and Kostas controlling the tempo of the game and stretching the Chennaiyin defence — a cross from Ivan Bolado on one such occasion hitting Kostas on the foot to force a reflex save before the rebound was put over by Davide. It is hard to say which team will be more disappointed after the result after a game of numerous chances. Pune are now on the road for three straight games and should have ideally made the most of home advantage. At the other end, marquee player Elano summed up Chennaiyin’s performance with an attempt from the half-line which was high, wide and not so handsome.