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Pune FC clinched the second spot in I-League 2012-13 campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win over Pailan Arrows in a Round 26 encounter at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Pune on Saturday.
Goals from strikers James Moga (39th minute) and Boima “Jerry” Karpeh (65th) handed Pune FC all three points who logged their 16th win of the season.
The tally was highest ever achieved by Pune FC who took their tally to an all-time best 52 points from 26 games. Currently Pune FC are level on points with champions Churchill Brothers.
Pune FC began the game explosively with Jerry creating a chance in the opening minute only for an alert Arrows custodian Soram Poirei to deny.
Midway through the half, winger Khanthang Paite sent in a ball from the left saw Moga connect in front of the goal. His attempt came off the cross bar and his rebound was blocked by the keeper.
Pune FC finally took the lead six minutes from the break. Left-back Gurjinder Kumar found Jerry in the center who controlled and bulldozed through the defense before taking a shot. His attempt was blocked and fell for Moga whose first time attempt beat the keeper.
The hosts took their one-goal lead into the breather.
After a slow start to the second half, Pune FC doubled their advantage twenty minutes in. Playmaker Douhou Pierre dispossessed a defender and set up Jerry on a run on the left. The striker controlled, held off a defender and slid the ball past the keeper.
The opponents restricted to few chances were denied by the defense and Pune FC ‘keeper Amrinder Singh who pulled off few brilliant saves.
The hosts created a few chances late in the game and held on to their two-goal lead to wrap up the match.
