Creating chances galore, Pune FC fell short in finish as they tried negotiating ways to get around an opposition that preferred to be defensive.
If camping in the CRPF half was the story of the first session, the second half had the goal-frame deny Pune FC twice, apart from the CRPF goalkeeper tipping over an Arata Izumi overhead volley just in time.
Pune FC began the game dominating possession from the word go. Striker Jeje Lalpekhlua, who was also the skipper, created the first chance of the game. He beat two defenders and crossed in for Izumi whose shot was blocked.
Couple of minutes later, defender Gurjinder Kumar drilled home a brilliant free-kick from 25-yards out. The referee cancelled it out since he awarded an indirect free-kick. Five minutes later, Jeje had a fantastic chance to open the scoring but failed to connect with his left foot properly.
CRPF were happy staying in their own half, and went on occasional counter attacks. One such try saw Varinder take a 25-yard strike but defender Chika Wali averted the danger.
Twenty minutes into the first-half, Jeje took another chance from top of the box. This time 'keeper SD Shyam came to CRPF's rescue.
CRPF, playing an ultra-defensive game, were going on attacks only when Pune FC lost the ball.
Nearing the half hour mark, striker Subash Singh had two good chances of putting the Reds in the lead. First, Karma beat two rivals on the right to find Subash in the box only for the striker's attempt to be blocked.
Later, right-back Srikanth Ramu sent Subash in the clear and the Manipuri lobbed over the on-rushing keeper in a one-on-one situation. (More)
