FC Pune City’s defenders were in control in their first away Hero Indian Super League game against Delhi Dynamos FC. Pune got a point from the goalless draw in the opener.
Mumbai City FC was all at sea in its own half, with the exception of goalkeeper Subrata Paul, in another away game, and was left chasing the ball throughout the match against Atletico de Kolkata.
Mumbai let in three goals and captain Syed Nabi limped off with a twisted ankle and the team faces Pune with more questions than answers on Saturday in a home match at the D.Y. Patil stadium.
Different surfaceThe natural grass surface is quite different from the Salt Lake stadium’s artificial turf. After the mauling at Kolkata’s hands, ground condition is small consolation for home team manager Peter Reid.
Brazilian Andre Moritz was the only impact player for Mumbai among foreigners tried out.
The attacking midfielder came in for Switzerland’s Tiago Riberio and the attack got some direction. Six foreigners took the field at kick-off, including central defenders Manuel Friedrich and Pavel Cmovs.
Subrata Paul under the bar covered up for holes in the defence and will be called into action again at the DYP stadium.
His work at the goalline and rush outs kept the margin of defeat down to three goals against Kolkata.
Strikes by Ethiopian Fakru Lemessa and Spain’s Borja Fernandez, the first a clever jab over advancing goalkeeper and the second a fierce volley curling into the far corner, were class acts beyond any ‘keeper’s reach.
Pune City is a defence-oriented side, focused on ball-possession, did enough as a group to keep a striker as dangerous as Alessandro Del Piero under control.
Mumbai is an unsettled squad, so will give the visitor more opportunities to push forward. Foreign striker Dudu Omagbemi from Nigeria is familiar with Indian conditions and unaffected by humidity, so remains a sensible choice.
With Indians Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Lenny Rodrigues ably manning the middle and David Trezeguet lurking up front, Subrata will be tested again.
