I-League Media Team

Pune: The return derby between Bharat FC and Pune FC ended in a dramatic fashion as substitute Kris Bright sealed the game in Bharat FC’s favour with a 90th minute penalty here at Balewadi Sports Complex Stadium on Sunday.

The derby, the rescheduled Round 11 match of the Hero I-League Football championship, looked to end in a drab draw until Romuald Bocco’s last ditch effort saw Luciano Sabrosa handle the ball in the box and gave the referee no option but to point to the spot.

Kris Bright converted the penalty coolly as he sent a thunderous shot into the left corner, past diving Pune FC keeper Amrinder Singh.

Before the action took place in the dying minutes of the game, both teams had a relatively bad game with some wasteful display in the final third of the pitch.

Subash Singh had the first chance of the game when he was sent through by Steven Dias whose shot was cleared by Sabrosa who was immediately asked to calm down as he looked unhappy with the situation.

The first opportunity for Pune came in the sixth minute as Munmun Lugan’s cross went across the face of the goal with no Pune FC player in the box, as opening 10 minutes saw no clear chances as both teams looked to settle down in the game.

The major action came in the 21st minute when Lions’ keeper Arindam was called into action as he swept across his box to deny rushing Darko Nikac who was combining well with Edgar Marcelino down the left flank for Lizards.

Sabrosa was booked in the 26th minute when he ran into Subash Singh Singham to leave the striker on the ground in great discomfort. But the resulting free-kick taken by Nabi hardly troubled the Pune defence.

In the 35th minute Pune’s skipper Arata Izumi was brought down by Lion’s defence, which was split by Ryuji Sueoka. There were cries of penalty but referee waved to continue the game.

Marcelino sent one peach of a cross from left wing with outside of his boot towards Nikac who’s touch went wide in the 45th minute, as both teams went in to half-time with scores leveled.

Pune FC’s assistant coach Gift Raikhan who was in the dug-out for head coach Karim Bencherifa, brought on Prakash Thorat in place of skipper Izumi, but Thorat’s stay lasted for only 11 minutes who had to be stretched off with injury.

On the other hand Bharat FC’s coach Stuart Watkiss brought on marquee striker Bright for Manjeet Singh for the last 15 minutes.

With time running out, both teams searched for the winner and pushed bodies forward, but they failed to produce the decisive moment to turn the game in their side’s favour, until Bocco’s shot was handled by  Sabrosa.

Kris Bright who made appearance after three games slotted home the spot kick to lift Lions to the sixth spot with 18 points from 17 games.

As both teams played for the last time at Balewadi in the current season, Bharat FC will take the honours of winning the Pune derby for the very first time.