Coelho free kick helps Goa defeat Pune

Vipin Pawar / ISL / SPORTZPICS

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FC Goa scored only their second victory of the season, as they outplayed FC Pune City for a 1-0 win at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on Thurday.

A perfectly executed free-kick from Rafael Coelho in the first half handed Zico's team three valuable points, keeping them in the running for a spot in the top four. Pune's defeat was the 12th time a team has lost at home this season, but more crucially, it has seriously dented their prospects of making the playoffs.

Pune had 66% of the ball in the first half, but created little with their sterile possession; they did not manage a shot on goal till the 46th minute.

Mohamed Sissoko and Lenny Rodrigues kept play ticking in the centre, but a static attacking unit in front of them gave few options, as Anibal, Tato and Lucca failed to trouble a Goa backline that had already leaked 11 goals before this match, the most this season.

While Pune passed without purpose, Goa broke forward with pace and in numbers. The visitors gambled with a 3-4-3, and ultimately won. A three-man attack left Goa's flanks exposed, but Pune's coach Antonio Habas failed to play his cards right, and Zico eventually hit the jackpot.

Despite lacking width, Goa's front three of Robin Singh, Rafael Coelho and Jofre Gonzalez had enough strength and speed in them to keep Pune's defence on its toes.

Coelho and Jofre came close to scoring in the opening 10 minutes, shooting wide from tight angles. Coelho spurned another chance in the 24th, failing to put away Richarlyson's cross from the right, but he did not have to wait long to make amends.

In the 32nd minute, Jofre drew a foul just outside the box on the left, and Coelho stepped up over the free-kick. Pune built a four-man wall to keep the ball out, but Coelho's technique and execution was sublime, beating Edel Bete at his near post. The shot had just enough bend and dip in it to find the net, and Pune, for all their possession, were suddenly trailing.

The goal sparked the hosts into action, and Pune ended the half on a strong note. Tato's inswinging corner was tipped away by Laxmikant Kattimani, and a few seconds later, Jonatan Lucca forced another save from the Goa keeper after cutting in from the right.

Pune went into the break buoyed by their late charge, but by the time they came out again, the momentum had evaporated.

Goa, sitting on a precious lead, knew that Pune had to commit men forward, and that it would open up opportunities on the break.

The opportunities arrived, but Goa's finishing was lacking.

In the 52nd minute, Robin Singh had a chance to take a touch and go one-on-one with the keeper, but wrongly chose to chip Bete from distance. In the 60th, Jofre had the whole goal to aim at after being played through by Coelho, but he hesitated and blasted high. In the 85th, Rafael collected a long ball and rounded the keeper, but his shot was spectacularly blocked off the line by right back Rahul Bheke.

Pune did not offer enough in attack at the other end, relying mainly on set-pieces to draw level. Gouramangi Singh failed to make clear connection with a cross from the right, and Kattimani once again was on hand to keep out a Lucca free-kick. The hosts did not come any closer to a goal.

Pune passed and passed around in circles for the last few minutes, but as was the case throughout the 90, they lacked the cutting edge to find a way through. The last time these two teams met, Goa were sucker-punched by a late goal. This time, it is Pune who are a match closer to being knocked out.