Pune FC thrash Dempo 5-1 in the 11th round of I-League

Margao: Pune FC ended Dempo's dream run at home when they thrashed them 5-1 in the 11th round of the I-League, played at Nehru Stadium, here Saturday. The win takes Pune FC's tally to 20 points from 10 games while Dempo's chance to extend the lead at the top suffered as they remained on 25 points from 11 matches.

James Moga struck twice while Izumi Arata, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Douhou Pierre stunned everyone with strikes towards the closing stages of the match. For Dempo, Joaquim Abranches's free-kick was the sole bright spot. Both the teams started on attacking note. Dempo had couple of early scoring opportunities but Joaquim's shots hit the cross bar and went out. After these close shaves, Pune FC made counter moves and came close to scoring but Khantang Paite failed to direct his shot on target off Othallo Tabia's cross.

However, Pune FC took the lead in the 15th minute when James Moga slotted the ball with a low shot after being cleverly released by Othallo through pass in the 15th minute. Dempo retaliated and found the equaliser in the 23rd minute when Joaquim Abrnches beat the rival keeper from a direct free kick taken from about 30-yards to have both the teams 1-1 at half time. Paite, who was the hero in Pune FC win against Salgaocar, combined well with James Moga upfront to put the Dempo defence under pressure.

Moga again gave his side the lead in the 53rd minute when he cut past two rival defenders Rowilson and substitute Shallum Pires before finding the net off Paite pass. Pune FC kept on the pressure and increased the lead in the 76th minute when Arata Izumi tapped the ball into the net after rival keeper Rowchowdhury tried to make a save off Jeje's header off Moga pass.

Substitute striker Jeje Lalpekhlua then capitalised on a defensive lapse to inflict more misery on the hosts and defending champions. Towards the end of the match Douhou Pierre helped himself to a goal after Moga had picked him up beautifully just inside the danger zone. This was Pune FC's third consecutive victory at Fatorda, the first time they have been able to achieve such a result.