Tuncay shines in FC Pune win

Pune: FC Pune City ride a Tuncay Sanli brace and a goal from Israil Gurung to put one over Mumbai City FC at Shree Chhatrapati Shivaji Sports Complex here on Monday. Two headers from Sanli and a Gurung shot was enough to see off neighbours Mumbai in a passionate encounter. The combination of Sanli and Gurung ultimately led to Mumbai’s downfall after a Frederic Piquionne goal had put the away side level.

The first chance of the game came with just two minutes on the clock. Piquionne dribbled past his marker to send a low cross into the box that was met by Gabriel Fernandes who fired his shot straight into the keeper’s hands. Pavel Cmovs almost netted into his own net a few minutes later when his attempted clearance almost caught out his keeper Albino Gomes in goal.

The home side soon took the lead in the 12th minute after a lightning quick counter-attack culminated with Gurung’s pinpoint cross being met by Turkish international Sanli at the far post to put the hosts 1-0 up. Mumbai City FC immediately pushed on in search of an equalizer and grew stronger as the half progressed. A Sony Norde shot that hit the post should have put them level.

The breakthrough would however come moments later after a delightfully hit Ashutosh Mehta ball from the right found Piquionne unmarked in the box. The Frenchman hand no hesitation and headed past the keeper to draw his side level in the 34th minute. Mumbai could have taken the lead four minutes later with a swift counter-attack that ended in Fernandes firing a tame effort straight at the Pune keeper.

The visitors were on the front foot by this stage and it was Mehta again who threaded through a telling pass to Juan Aguilera. The Spaniard hit the target but the Pune keeper was positioned perfectly for the incoming shot. The last chance of the first half fell to Mumbai’s Norde.