Pune FC hold Churchill

Chhetri dazzles as Dempo SC score over JCT

Hosts Churchill took lead in the 44th minute through a penalty taken by Odafe Okolie which was cancelled out by Edmar Figueira in the 76th minute. Churchill, who drew their fourth match in five, have seven points, while Pune FC collected four points from as many matches.

Pune FC, who are yet to notch up their first win, began aggressively as they moved the ball well and had more of the ball possession in the first half.

But their inability to breach the rival’s strong defence could not fetch them an early goal.
Doughou Sey Pierre, who played alongside Edmar Figueira upfront, tried a powerful shot which Churchill keeper Arindam Bhattacharya collected off second attempt.

The visitors’ defence also put up a good show and managed to keep dangerman Odafe Okalie quiet until the 44th minute rush of blood from defender Selwyn Fernandes.
Fernandes brought down Okolie from behind, in the penalty area forcing referee P Baskar to award a penalty, which Okolie himself converted beating keeper Subrata Paul to his right.

Pune FC found the equaliser in the 76th minute. Defender Caitano Costa sent a long ball into the box for Edmar Figueira, who essayed a left footer which spilled from keeper Arindam Bhattacharya and rolled into the net.

Dempo edge JCT

In another match, Goan outfit Dempo defeated JCT 2-1 in at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana.

Joaquim Abranches scored the first goal for Dempo via a header in the 43rd minute.
India striker Sunil Chhetri scored a magnificent goal in the 71st minute to increase the lead to 2-0.

In the very next minute, Baljit Sahni reduced the margin for JCT with a powerful shot from outside the box.

Meanwhile, a late brace by Abhishek Yadav was not enough for Mumbai FC to clinch three points in 2-2 draw against rivals Air India.

ND Opara opened the scoring for Air India in the 43rd minute. Mumbai came back in the late stages of the second half to go 2-1 ahead courtesy of two goals from Yadav (80th, 88th). But the lead was shortlived as ND Opara pooped up again to equalise a minute from full time.