ISL: NorthEast United FC 0-0 FC Pune City - 5 talking points

NorthEast United FC were looking to return to the top four by defeating FC Pune City in their game earlier today. Pune on the other hand were looking to go to the top of the table. With plenty to play for, both the teams traded passes, kicks and the occasional foray into the opposition’s box in their attempts to try and score.While both the teams were evenly matched at the end of the game, coach Ricki Herbert of NorthEast United will be ruing the missed chances and the opportunities that his team had to kill off the game. Here are the five talking points of the game.

#1 FC Pune Citys inability to pass well

For a team near the top of the table in the ISL, Pune’s ability to pass the ball cleanly and finish its attacking moves is still something that needs work. While NorthEast United dominated proceedings, Pune made good runs on the counter. However, they lacked that cutting edge in attack.

This could be primarily due to the absence of the charismatic John Goossens and the fact that they were playing a lone striker up front. But that was no excuse for the passing to go all haywire, given that their midfield was still very strong. Israil Gurung’s solo runs lacked the final ball, which found neither the feet of Dudu or Kostas. Added to that was the fact that their lone striker Dudu had to defend deep and then run forward into the NorthEast box with no support whatsoever. 

Had the passing being better, there could have been a whole new result awaiting the third placed Pune team.