I-League: Pune rout Chirag Kerala

Kochi, April 1 (IANS) Pune FC made their intentions for the season clear as they thrashed Chirag United Kerala 3-0 in round 22 of the I-League at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, here Sunday.

The victory powered by first half goals from Keita Mandjou, Singam Subhash Singh and Arata Izumi pushed them to 40 points and to the third spot in theleague standings while Chirag languish at 17 points.

The visitors set the ball rolling very early into the game as Mandjou helped by an assist from the left by Subhash Singh scored the opener in the fifth minute.

Pune did not sit back after taking the lead and they shook the net against an unsettled and uncertain Chirag United Kerala a minute later -- this time it was Keita who turned provider and Subhash Singh the scorer.

Two goals down with just six minutes on the clock, Chirag players looked to have already conceded the game to the Pune outfit. Their attacks lacked precision and their goal was tested time and again by the opponents. Former Chirag player Karma Tsewang and Ivorian Douhou Pierre were exceptional in creating chances for Pune FC's frontline.

Pune went further ahead in the 39th minute as Japanese born midfielder Izumi planted a shot in the back of the net from inside the Chirag box.

A terrible first half seemed to have taken the fire out of the home side and Pune were happy to sit back and defend the chances created by Chirag in the second half.

In the 73nd minute, a header from Chirag's forward David Gadimoh Sunday hit the crossbar, but that was the only clear cut chance they created in the game.