Pune beat Lajong, jump to second spot in I-League

Shillong, Dec 29 (IANS) Pune FC moved to the second place in I-League football with a dominating 2-1 win over Shillong Lajong in the round 13 encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Saturday.

The victory, thus, completed a full circle for Pune as the host’s were the only team among all I-League teams whom they never beat in any competition.

But while the win set a new high, the three-points courtesy efforts from striker Jeje Lalpekhlua (29th minute) and his substitute Khanthang Paite (48th) enabled Pune to move to the second spot in the league. The win took Pune FC’s unbeaten run to eight in a row.

Shillong Lajong defender Govin Singh (59th) pulled one back for the hosts and raised expectations of the all-for-SLFC gallery.

In fact, Pune FC closed out with a golden chance to add the third through a penalty-kick, which striker James Moga failed to put away.

Into added time, Moga was felled by Lajong goalkeeper Lalthuanmawia Ralte as he rounded him inside the penalty-box. Ralte earned a red card, but his replacement Basant Singh was lucky to have Moga earn a corner kick.

IANS 2012-12-29 19:32:16