ISL Season 3: Eugeneson Lyngdoh winner carries Pune into top four

Action from the ISL-3 match between Mumbai city and FC Pune City in Mumbai on Thursday. The visitors won 1-0. (Photo: ISL)

Substitute Eugeneson Lyngdoh scored in the dying minutes to give FC Pune City a second straight victory in the Indian Super League. The visitors exacted sweet revenge for their 0-1 loss earlier in the tournament to Mumbai City FC at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Thursday.

Pune City went from seventh spot to fourth with 12 points in nine games while Mumbai City second with 15 points in 10 games.

Sunil Chhetri was the only Bengaluru FC player who was included in the Mumbai XI on Thursday while the other three for Mumbai City along with Pune’s Lyngdoh were benched.

Chhetri’s successful strike partner of last season Sony Norde wasn’t even in the 21-member squad while Pune City coach Antonio Habas didn’t tinker much with the team that won 2-1 against Atletico de Kolkata on Sunday.

Mumbai City coach Alexandre Guimaraes had to change his plans after the early forced withdrawal of Leonardo da Costa who aggravated a groin injury and was replaced by fellow Brazialian Thiago Dos Santos Cunha.

Mumbai’s Sehnaj Singh had first crack at an empty goal in the 12th minute from outside the box after goalkeeper Edel Bete had come out, but his shot was wayward.

The hosts controlled the first half relying on long balls with Diego Forlan, Chhetri and Matias Defederico exerting pressure on Mohammed Sissoko led defence. Bete was tested in the 35th minute, the Cameroon goalkeeper needing a full length save to keep out Defederico’s powerful left footer.

In the second half, Pune City introduced Lyngdoh for the first time this season in place of non-performing striker Dramane Traore. Both teams failed to create chances though Mumbai City held the edge.

Forlan unleashed one magical free-kick in the 75th minute but Bete’s faint touch helped it to find the cross bar.

Pune City applied pressure in the last quarter and earned a a few flag kicks and finally broke the deadlock in the 89th minute when goalkeeper Albino Gomes failed to grab the ball cleanly and Lyngdoh slotted it into the back of the net.

On Friday, FC Goa will look to break their winless streak at home when they take on NorthEast United.