ISL: Kostas stars as FC Pune City draw 1-1 against Atletico de Kolkata

Pune: Kostas Katsouranis put in a stellar performance in midfield as FC Pune City drew 1-1 against Atletico de Kolkata in an entertaining draw at The Balewadi Stadium. The Greek midfielder, who has played at the World Cup for his country, capped his night by scoring the equaliser at the stroke of half time but was the linchpin on which Pune relied as they controlled the tempo of the match throughout. Luis Garcia’s cross from the right was met by Jacob Podany to head Atletico ahead in the 11th minute, but the visitors were hanging on a fortuitous lead as FC Pune dominated play from the off and hardly allowed Kolkata to create chances from their half. [caption id=“attachment_1827891” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Kostas fired in the equaliser with virtually the last kick of the 1st half when a corner was cleared but put back in by Bruno Cirillo. ISL[/caption] Kostas fired in the equaliser with virtually the last kick of the 1st half when a corner was cleared but put back in by Bruno Cirillo. Atletico’s clearance was weak and fell straight to Kostas, who lashed it in low and hard — triggering a festive atmosphere at The Balewadi and his manager Franco Colomba to go off on another one of his animated celebrations. Despite the deserved goal, FC Pune were left wondering how they managed to score just one in the first half after peppering Kolkata’s goal with half a dozen shots from scoring areas. While the Punekars managed to draw against a strong team — their dominance throughout 90 minutes means they should take the result as a couple of points dropped than a point gained. Kostas set up Davide Colomba with a reverse pass as early as the 2nd minute but the Italian’s shot, despite the ball coming perfectly onto his favoured left foot, went wide. Garcia then threatened to score against the run of play again, but his first-time shot from a low cross was blocked. Pune started building patiently from the back after they went behind but the pace of Pennant and Colomba was constantly troubling Atletico. Pune were also pressing hard and playing a physical game – not allowing Atletico’s Fikru Teferra any time on the ball whatsoever. Even their striker Dudu fell back — managing to powerfully win the ball on one such occasion before releasing Pennant on the right. The former Liverpool winger’s pull-back was in the path of Kostas, whose shot was saved — the rebound went to Davide, but it was saved again. The loose ball fell to Vadocz and the Hungarian forced a block which again fell to Davide — the manager’s son hitting a defender with his second attempt in about two seconds. Moments later, Davide was in the thick of it again, releasing Vadocz through the inside left, but the shot hit the side-netting. With such dominance, the equaliser was a matter of when it would come rather than if — and it probably came at the best time for Pune. However, it was Atletico who came all guns firing in the second half – but their gung-ho approach lasted only for a few minutes as Pune regained control in midfield through Lenny Rodrigues and Kostas — and Cirillo’s excellent defending against Fikru forced the Ethiopian striker out wide. Atletico broke on a few occasions but Pune’s defence held tight till the end — their attack also forcing a couple of saves from Bete as Joachim Abranches and Kostas went close again in the dying minutes. Pune are still in 7th position after the match — but level on points with Delhi Dynamos and NorthEast United who are in 5th and 6th respectively. Kerala Blasters, who lie in the last semifinal berth, are two points clear with 15. Mathematically, Pune are still in the hunt — but need nothing less than wins in their three remaining games.