ISL 2017: FC Pune City's Rafael Lopez makes heroic goal-line clearance against Mumbai City FC, watch video
Chennaiyin FC picked up their second ISL 2017 win in a row and continued their dominance over FC Pune City as they defeated the Stallions and maintained their unbeaten run against them on Sunday. In what was a cagey affair, it was the away side sealed the three points as captain Henrique Sereno hit the back of the net in the 82nd minute with a towering header from a corner.
The Islanders had various other opportunities to score as well but were denied by some excellent last-ditch defending by the Pune team. The best example of it came in the second half in the 73rd minute as Rafael Lopez provided one of the best moments of the season so far with an excellent clearance when a goal looked absolutely certain.
There was confusion in the Pune City penalty area after a cross from the left by Chennai was fumbled by keeper Vishal Kaith and fell kindly for the Super Machans striker, who stabbed the ball goalwards and was all set to wheel away in celebration.
However, Lopez came to the rescue with a truly phenomenal clearance off the line, with the ball centimetres away from crossing it. The Chennai side appealed to the officials for the goal but in the end, it was the correct decision as Lopez had intervened just in time to swipe the ball away.
In their next encounter, the Season 2 champions will face off against ATK at home on December 8 while Pune will play Jamshedpur FC on December 10.