Pune FC maintain hot form in King's Cup

Pune FC finished their King's Cup group engagements in style, winning 2-0 against Bangladesh's Abahani Limited at the Changlimithang Stadium here Tuesday, to collect a maximum 12 points from four matches.

Pune had already qualified for the semi-finals from Group B after collecting nine points from the first three matches played.

Pune rode on late goals from Lalrempuia Fanai (86th minute) and Luciano Sabrosa (90th) to overcome the Dhaka-based side for the fourth consecutive win, ahead of Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC), Nepal (7 pts), Abahani Ltd (4 pts), Ugyen Academy, Bhutan (3 pts) and Assam State Electricity Board (0 pts).

Abahani dominating the early exchanges and Pune FC were forced to soak up pressure. But Pune slowly began to dominate possession but were unable to penetrate the Abahani defence.

Pune's first decent goal attempt rattled the cross bar when Eric Brown's ferocious shot beat the Abahani goalkeeper but, unfortunately, came back into play in the 29th minute.

It was goalless at halftime and Pune coach Karim Bencherifa brought on attacker Prakash Thorat and winger Snehashis Chakraborty to bolster his team's offensive play.

But it didn't bring about the desired result as the match seemed to be heading to a draw, when Pune scored twice in succession.

Lalrempuia beautifully curled in a free-kick to give Pune the lead in the 86th minute and three minutes later they doubled the lead, Luciano Sabrosa converting a penalty.

Pune FC will now face the runner-up of Group-A in the second semifinal Sunday.