Hero I-League: Pune strike thrice to down BFC

Pune FC handed a 3-1 thrashing to defending champions Bengaluru FC to pick their first set of full points in the Hero I-League match here Saturday.

Ashley Westwood's Blues had no answer to the Lizards who scored through Darko Nikac (9th), Luciano Sarbosa (25th) and Thongkhosiem Haokip (82nd) while new recruit Eugeneson Lyngdoh (89th) pulled one back for the hosts.

Pune appeared the better organised team both in the front and at the back in contrast to BFC who appeared out of sorts, much like they did against Dempo in their opening game last week when they drew goalless.

Obviously, the early goal by Nikac who justified his recruitment, unsettled BFC whose attacks without skipper Sunil Chhetri who came only in the 28th minute, but by then Brazilian Barbosa had headed in Pune's second goal.

With a 2-0 lead, Pune, who were rather lucky to get away with some hard tackles, continued to press home on resumption and it was an approach that served them well with BFC struggling to get going.

BFC did have a few good looks at the Pune goal, but just could not cash in on the openings and these lapses were penalized when the visitors struck a third time when Haokip's attempt slid in off the crossbar.

With time ticking by, the writing was on the wall for the hosts who finally tasted success, albeit too late in the game, when Lyngdoh curved a shot to the net just as stoppage time was being added.

Despite five minutes being added at the end, BFC just could not breach the Pune defence and quite fittingly, the visitors emerged winners.