Bhutan King’s Cup: Pune FC seal second consecutive win; down Bhutan’s Ugyen Academy 1-0
Pune FC sealed their second consecutive win with a 1-0 victory over Bhutan's Ugyen Academy FC in a Group-B Round 2 encounter in the King's Cup in at the Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu, Bhutan on Thursday.
Playmaker Ryuji Sueoka scored the only goal of the game in the 13th minute to hand Pune FC a narrow win. However, Pune FC also missed a host of close chances throughout the game due to some wayward finishing in the final third. The win also helped Pune FC (6 pts) to the top of the table after two games ahead of MMC, Nepal (3 pts), Ugyen Academy, (3 pts), Abahani Ltd, Bangladesh (3 pts) and Assam State Electricity Board (0 pts).
Going into the game, Coach Karim Bencherifa fielded the same Starting XI from the previous game as the cold conditions once again made their presence felt. After some half chances at either end in the opening exchanges, Pune FC went close in the sixth minute. Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh's long goal-kick was headed on by striker Thongkhosiem Haokip to Sueoka who controlled well but his effort was well covered by the rival custodian.
Four minutes later, Sueoka combined with skipper Arata Izumi on the right but the India-international's effort was blocked by the keeper. Sueoka controlled the stray ball but his chip was once again kept out by the keeper. Pune FC kept the pressure on and were finally rewarded in the 13th minute with a goal. Once again on Amrinder’s goalkick, Haokip flicked on and Sueoka controlled the ball with his head before firing home a half volley to give Pune FC the lead.
At the other end, Ugyen almost got one back. With keeper Amrinder missing Biren Basnet's cross in from the left, Tsholtrim Yoezer had a great chance at the far post only to go misjudge the attempt. Minutes past the half hour mark, Pune FC had two back-to-back chances fall for Haokip who missed from on both occasions. First, the striker controlled a nice long ball pumped up by defender Salam Ranjan Singh, however, his attempt from inside the box was straight into the keeper.
A minute later, Sueoka worked up space on the left and cut back a neat ball into the six-yard box only for Haokip to fluff a simple tap in. Sueoka was at the centre of all action and once again went close. This time he controlled Arata’s neat pass but his blinding pile driver was somehow kept out by the rival keeper as the first half ended 1-0 in favour of Pune FC.
The hosts came out all guns blazing in the second half, but the experienced Pune FC defence kept their composure to clear all attacks. Twelve minutes into the half, Ugyen went close as medio Tshreing Dhendup fired a long ranger straight to Amrinder. At the other end, Ugyen almost conceded an own goal when defender Kinley Penjor’s back header foxed their custodian but were lucky as the ball went inches wide. Ten minutes later, more drama unfolded. Pune FC were awarded an indirect freekick after a back pass collection by the keeper inside the box which led to pushing, shoving from the Ugyen’s players. However, attacker Eric Brown’s powerful shot was blocked by the wall.
Into the final quarter, the game had turned physical with both sides committing a host of fouls. In the meantime, Pune FC kept on pushing ahead and had a couple of chances from Arata and substitute Prakash Thorat sail over the cross bar. In the final minutes of the game, Pune FC had a glorious chance to finally get the elusive second goal. It began with Arata finding Sueoka with a great chip. The Japanese timed his run perfectly and even kept his run going despite the advanced keeper trying to pull him down. However, facing an empty goal to complete his brace, Sueoka somehow hit the ball wide.
Ugyen tried to come up with something in the final moments of the game, but Pune FC held on for a 1-0 win.