I-League Media Team

GOA: Pune FC kept alive their faint chances of challenging for the I-League title after securing a 2-1 victory over Dempo Sports Club in a fiery clash that saw both teams being reduced to 10 men at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday.

The win helped Pune FC accumulate 23 points from 14 matches, and although Mohun Bagan lead the table with 28 points and a match in hand, Pune FC will be happy that they are not losing sight of the league leaders who were handed their first loss by another title challengers, Royal Wahingdoh.

Pune FC were helped by goals from Darko Nikac (9th minute) and Fanai Lalrempuia (68th minute) while substitute striker Tolgay Ozbey, who played after a long lay off, pulled a goal back for the former champions.

Dempo have won just two matches in this competition and their hopes of their second win on the trot were jolted early when Darko picked a cross that Prabir Das had failed to pick out, allowing the Montenegro international to finish with his lethal left foot.

Prabir was the villain for Dempo in the 27th minute when he got himself needlessly sent off. An altercation in the Pune dangerzone during a claim for a handball saw Prabir allegedly use abusive language and the referee was prompt in sending him for an early shower.

Dempo, despite the numerical disadvantage, had their chances to equalize with Carlos Hernandez testing Pune goalkeeper Amrinder Singh with a couple of long rangers.

Pune led 1-0 at the breather.

After the change of ends, Pune FC made it 2-0 through the boots of substitute striker Fanai Lalrempuia in the 68th minute. The substitute was gifted plenty of space by the Dempo defenders and the striker took a chance with a rasping left footer that bounced awkwardly just in front of Dempo goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani and sailed into the goal.

Substitute Tolgay Ozbey pulled a goal back for Dempo with his first real touch on the ball just two minutes later and then Pune FC midfielder Dhanpal Ganesh was sent off for a second bookable offence. But Pune FC reorganized themselves and guarded the goal fiercely for the rest of the match to pocket an important win.