Pune FC 'A' enter last-4 berth on debut in Pokhara

It was a huge day for the newly formed Peninsula Pune Football Club Academy (PPFCA).

Represented as Pune FC 'A' at the 10th Aaha Gold Cup, the Under-19s impressed on international debut with a solitary goal (1-0) win over Sahara Club, Pokhara and make it to the semifinal round.

Playing to a total home-support for the first time, Pune FC 'A' found their hero in medio Abung Meetei who struck a second half winner to silence the 7000-odd spectators at the Pokhara Stadium, Nepal.

Having endured a 56-hour travel, Pune FC, seeded in the quarterfinals, the effort was huge for they were up against a senior district side from Kaski (western region) who fielded two foreigners and four 'on-loan' 'A' Division players in their lineup.

The youngsters brave all out effort was total, with Bhushan Pail in the goal turning out to be excellent keeping out at least three close attempts apart from riding luck when Rajan Adhikari's try off a counter beat him and ended hitting the post.

While the first half belonged to Pune FC 'A' it was striker T Haokip who not only held stage but also set up skipper Suji Kumar with a clear tries. Twice Haokip took on the defence individually and went through only to be denied by the keeper

In every attack it was the rival goalkeeper Raju Yogi, one of the many 'on-loan' players, who saved the day, including a one-handed save to a David Lalbiakzara freekick that ended on the post.

There were several others who got into the act of taking shots on target and included F Lalrempuia who had a well taken free kick punched out in the second half apart from taking a a couple of goes straight into the keeper.

With Bhushan showing confidence, the backline also did well with Anju Negi and N James Singh coming to the rescue on a couple of occasions, including taking on the rivals foreign striker Idris Abuh.

In the second half, Pune FC, battled well and sustained time and agin attacks created by the rivals threesome Susil KV, Idris and on one occasion had keeper Bhushan save a stiff try from Sunil BK.

In the 77th minute of play, Gobin Singh's cross found Abung Meetei inside the box. The medio did well to control and brilliantly place past the stunned 'keeper, who until then was holding fort.

Stung by the reverse, Pune FC had a couple of close moments. Susil KV's cross for Buddha Lama creating confusion in the penalty box between defender Negi and Bhushan, but luckily Lala headed wide.

Into the six minutes of added time, James Singh fouled Sushil, but a poorly taken freekick by Rajan Adhikari was indication that the day was meant to be Pune FC 'A's.