ISL 4: Pune face ATK as race for semis heats up

Pune: Hosts FC Pune City will eye full points against ATK here on Saturday to remain third in the Indian Super League standings.

Pune have 16 points from 10 matches, four more than eighth-placed ATK (12 from nine outings).

But a win will be crucial to keep hold of third place, after Bengaluru FC (21 points from 11 games) and Chennaiyin FC (20 points after 10 matches), as the race for the semi-final spots heats up.

Pune have done reasonably well so far but are yet to prove real contenders for a place in the knockout stages.

Pune will be determined to win after losing their previous clash 0-1 to Chennaiyin. “We didn’t play as good as the first half, we had opportunities but couldn’t use them,” said Pune’s assistant coach Vladica Grujic on Friday.

Northeast stun Chennaiyin
A stunning hat-trick by Seiminlen Doungel was the highlight of NorthEast United’s 3-1 victory over second-place Chennaiyin FC at the Indira Gandhi National Stadium in Guwahati on Friday.

Doungel put the hosts ahead in the 42nd minute and pumped in two more in the second (46th, 68th) before Chennaiyin scored a consolation goal via Anirudh Thapa (79th).

Northeast now have 10 points from 10 matches, while Chennaiyin remain second on 20 points after 11 games.