Goa: Goals from Alfaro and Jonathan Lucca helped FC Pune City maintain their unbeaten streak away from home with a convincing 2-0 victory at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday.
Contrary to their home performance, the ‘Stallions’ seem to enjoy an away match much better and now have gone three matches unbeaten. Meanwhile, they have lost three of their four home matches, with the most recent coming with a 3-1 battering at the hands of Bengaluru FC.
Looking to bounce back after a dismal home performance Pune started the match on an attacking note, nearly scoring one as early as the 19th minute. A quick play between Marcelinho and Alfaro saw the latter go clear on goal but with an empty net at his mercy, the Uraguyan failed to place the ball on target.
Ferran Corominas rattled the bar on the other side, after Pune custodian failed to collect a Rafa Lopez cross that fell to the Spaniard. Chances soon opened up for both the teams with Diego Carlos testing Kattimani while Coro blasted one over.
Calls from penalty were raised by both the teams as play resumed in the second-half, that were however qualmed away by the referee Rown Arumughan. The ‘Gaurs’ could have well scored thrice but Vishal Keith came up with the moment of the match drawing three back-to-back saves from Coro, Brandon Fernandes and Manuel Arana as Pune took the lead on the other hand.
The duo of Marcelinho and Alfaro once again worked wonders for the ‘Stallions’ when the Brazilian found the former NorthEast striker with a inch-perfect through ball, which the Uruguayan buried with ease.
Despite the goal it was however a poor outing by Alfaro who should have added another moments later but shot straight at defender Prannoy Halder.
Nonetheless Pune did add a second in the 84th minute through substitue Jonathan Lucca who was well at hand to slam the ball inside the net after a clearance from Mander’s attempt fell for him.
Apart from the loss it was also for the first time that FC Goa failed to find the net in six matches. However they remained positioned second with 12 points from six outings, while Pune climbed to fourth with the same number of points from seven matches.