U18 I-League: Pune FC off to a flying start; demolish PIFA Colaba 8-0

The star of the show was striker Lalawmpuia (13th, 29th, 30th and 33rd minute) who struck four times in the first half itself. Meanwhile, Amos Lalnienga (21st), Pawan Pratap (63rd), Daniel Hmar (86th) and Sannik Murmu (89th) too got on the scoresheet in a one-sided affair.

With this win, Pune FC also moved to the top of the standings in the Maharashtra Zone with three points.

On a hot afternoon, Pune FC began the game with an attacking intent pushing up from the very first minute. Wingers Omega Vanlalhruiatluanga and Sannik Murmu created a few close chances in the opening ten minutes.

Despite falling short on a couple of occasions early on, Pune FC broke the deadlock in the 13th minute. Omega curled in a low cross from the left flank to Lalawmpuia who tapped home from close to put Pune FC in the lead.

Having scored, Pune FC settled down and began dominating play. It just took them eight more minutes to find the back of the net again. This time, Omega sent Lalawmpuia through inside the box on the left and the striker cut back for Amos who controlled at the far post and smashed the ball home.

Controlling possession in the rival half, Pune FC dominated every single play with the hosts pushing ahead on a rare occasion.

Around the half hour mark, Lalawmpuia killed of the opposition scoring thrice in the space of five minutes. First he struck a powerful long ranger from 30 yards to beat the keeper for Pune FC’s third in the 29th minute. A minute later, he completed his hattrick smashing home a half volley after Sanchayan Sammader’s long ball wasn’t properly cleared by the PIFA defense.

Three minutes later, Lalawmpuia got his fourth as he once again capitalised on some poor defending inside the box to score from close as Pune FC took their five goal lead into the breather.

At the start of the second half, Pune FC Coach Naushad Moosa made one change bringing in Muirang W. for Sanchayan.

While the pace of the game had slowed down due to the intense afternoon heat, Pune FC managed to keep the pressure on and went close on multiple occasions in the opening quarter. The best chances fell for Lalawmpuia and Amos, both of whom went over from close range.

Three minutes past the hour mark, Pune FC finally got their sixth when substitute Pawan Pratap – on for Tarif – tapped home from close after a brilliant solo run from Sannik down the right flank.

While Pune FC continued to dominate the proceedings, PIFA Colaba almost pulled a goal back in the 78th minute. With the defense failing to clear the hosts managed to put the ball into the box for Himanshu Khose who got a clean shot from 4-yards out only to be denied by a brilliant save from Pune FC custodian Anuj Kumar.

In the final ten minutes, Pune FC struck twice to complete the rout. First medio Daniel Hmar smashed home a powerful left footer from the edge of the box on the left in the 86th minute to make it 7-0.

Two minutes later, Pune FC were awarded an indirect freekick inside the rival box after a back pass was collected by the keeper. Sannik converted the indirect freekick with a curling effort to seal the massive win.