Pune FC blank Churchill Brothers 3-0 in Durand Cup

A dominant Pune FC scored a thumping 3-0 win over Churchill Brothers in a Group D quarter-final league match of the 127th Durand Cup football tournament here today.
With most of the key players leaving Churchill Brothers after All India Football Federation deprived them of playing in the I-League for failing to meet the club licensing criteria, the team lacked thrust in the midfield and attack.
On the other hand, Pune FC dominated proceedings with Sueoka Ryuji leading attack as the visitors kept the pressure on the home team with repeated forays before surging ahead in the seventh minute.
Following a free kick on the right, Ryuji floated the ball into the box for Prakash Thorat whose attempt at the goal was blocked by rival defender. The deflection went to Ganesh Dhapal who slotted the ball into the net after defender Elvis Baretto failed to clear the ball to safety.

The visitors could have increased the lead midway into the first half, but Ganesh Dhanpal's shot was blocked by rival keeper Sukhwinder Singh.
Churchill Brothers, who failed to get a clear look at the goal, came with a long range effort towards the end of first half when Micky Fernandes' 20-yards shot off a Okolie Odafe pass was collected by rival keeper Amrinder Singh.
The trend continued in the second half as the visitors continued to dictate terms and increased the lead in the 51st minute when Arata Izumi, who got the ball from Anthony D'Souza, raced into the box and let go a right footer to beat keeper Sukhwinder to his left.

Substitute Thongkhoiem Haokip completed the rout when he caught the entire Churchill defence napping as he picked the ball from the centre of the rival half, sprinted down and took two of rival defenders in his stride before deftly dispatching the ball.