Pune, India: A late goal by John Goossens helped FC Pune City beat NorthEast United FC 1-0 in an Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium here on Monday.
The game was heading for a goalless draw till the 88th minute, when striker Goossens scored the goal with a header off a rebound from MacPherlin Dudu Omagbemi, whose powerful shot was stopped half-heartedly by United goalkeeper T.P. Rehenesh.
Throughout the match, both teams created several chances but their finishing was found wanting.
Both teams started positively, but it was United who threatened early. Dong Hyun-do made a run into the box and his powerful strike was deflected to safety by Pune keeper Anupam Sarkar.
Greek veteran Konstantinos Katsouranis came close to scoring but he chipped just over the goal, much to the relief of the United fans. Katsouranis later made a smart cross from the left for skipper David Trezeguet, who reacted slowly.
For Pune, midfielder Israil Gurung created two opportunities in the 13th and 64th minutes, only to be thwarted by an alert Rehenesh.
First, he came up with a fine strike from outside the box, but it was palmed away by the goalkeeper. In the second half he supplied a perfect cross inside the box for Goossens, but it was quickly intercepted by Joan Capdevila, who was stationed quite close to the goal.
Gurung continued to work harder and he passed to Omagbemi, whose rebound shot found the head of Goossens and went in.
With this win, Pune moved to fourth position while United remained third in the standings.
