ISL: FC Pune City stun Atletico de Kolkata, end their unbeaten run

Dudu Omagbemi and Konstantinos Katsouranis struck either side of the break as FC Pune City capped an outstanding 3-1 away win against Atletico de Kolkata to snap the league leaders unbeaten run in the ISL.

However ATK still remained on top with 12 points.

The Pune franchise, who travelled without their French World Cup winner David Trezeguet, stunned one and all as their East Bengal recruit Dudu repaid his coach’s faith with a well directed header in the 31st minute to silence the crowd.

Till then, ATK who were bolstered by the return of mercurial forward Fikru Teferra and manager Antonio Habas off the field impressed with their passing and had the better share of possession against Pune’s defence that looked weak.

But the day clearly did not belong to the league leaders who had two howlers early on with their top two striking duo – Fikru and Borja Fernandez – missing one each.

Having seized the momentum thanks to Nigerian’s strike, Kostas Katsouranis made it 2-0 after the break when the Greek World Cupper used his outstep to curl one away as goalie Subhasish Roy Chowdhury looked in absolute disbelief.

ATK finally made their presence in the scoresheet in the 84th minute after Pune goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya felled Fikru in an inexplicable manner as the Ethiopian converted from the spot without much fuss.

Putting up an exhilerating show, FC Pune City triumphed 3-1 to hand leaders Atletico de Kolkata their first defeat in the Indian Super League here Friday.

Dudu Omagbemi, Kostas Katsouranis and Davide Colomba found the target for the winners, while Fikru Teferra was the hosts’ sole scorer during the enterprising game that saw all the goals come from foreigners at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Despite the defeat, Atletico continued atop the table with 12 points in seven matches.

Pune climbed to the third spot, having played one match less and remaining two points adrift of Atletico.

Pune shot into the lead in the 35th minute against the run of play by cunningly utilising a gap in the rival defence created by the temporary absence of an injured Jose Miguel Gonzalez Rey, alias Josemi.

Italian midfielder Davide Colomba essayed a cross from the left which Dudu headed down into the net, hoodwinking his marker Ofentse Nato.

The visitors doubled the margin post breather in the 55th minute as Kostas - the only player in the ISL to have taken part in the 2014 World Cup - capped a 30 yard delightful solo with a powerful right foot punch that swung and crashed into a corner of the goal. Once again, Colomba provided the assist.

Six minutes from the end, Atletico rode on a penalty to reduce the margin.

Pune custodian Arindam Bhattacharya came out of his charge and brought down an unmarked Fikru, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot. Fikru wrongfooteed Arindam to place the ball calmly into the left corner.

The hosts sensed an opportunity for a comeback, but Colomba put paid to their hopes with a free kick from the edge of the box that beat the wall of Atletico players to make the final score 3-1.

Pune looked solid in defence and fast on the counters. In contrast, Atletico had more ball possession in the first session, but could not get their act going near the rival box.

The combination of Atletico’s marqee player cum captain Luis Garcia and Egyptian Fikru posed threats for Pune early on. In the 11th minute, Fikru chested down Nato’s header and let loose a rasping half volley that finished just past the post.

Just after the half hour mark, Cavin Lobo fed Borja Fernandez whose shot ballooned over.

Up 1-0, thanks to Dudu, Pune stepped up the gas in the injury time of the first half, but Atletico keeper Subhasishj Roychowdhury twice emerged as the savior of the home side.

Crossing over, Fikru’s acrobatic effort was killed by Arindam. But within a minute came Grecian Kostas’ goal which made the scoreline 2-0.

A desperate Atletico went on the offensive, but it was Pune who came closest to scoring.

Goossens unleashed a left footer that hit the upright and went out for a corner as Subhasish made some contact.

IANS