ISL Season 3: Rodriguez salvages draw for Pune City

Chennaiyin FC’s Jeje Lalpekhlua (third from left) celebrates with team mates after scoring against FC Pune City in their ISL Season 3 match at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune on Sunday. The match ended 1-1.

Anibal Zurdo Rodriguez came from the bench to score the equaliser on a set piece as FC Pune City salvaged a point against Chennaiyin FC in their Indian Super League Season 3 match at the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Sunday. The defending champions had got the lead in the first half through Jeje Lalpekhlua’s smart volleyed goal.

With this 1-1 draw, Chennaiyin climbed to third position displacing Mumbai City FC with eight points each and a game in hand. The visitors’ also maintained their unbeaten record against Pune City in the ISL. FC Pune City remained in the bottom half with five points from six games.

The hosts sought inspiration from head coach Antonio Habas, who observed action from the touchline for first time for FC Pune City after serving a four-match ban he received during the last game of the 2015 season with his previous club Atletico de Kolkata against Chennaiyin FC.

Head coach Marco Materazzi, who has been making frequent changes to the Chennaiyin XI keeping in mind the tight schedule, made as many as six changes on Sunday while Habas made two changes.

After a cagey play from both sides, Jeje brought life in the game with a smart lob catching goalkeeper Edel Bete out of position and put the visitors ahead in the 28th minute. He nicely disguised defender Eduardo Ferreira after getting a long ball from Jerry Lalrinzuala to unleash a peach of goal.

The hosts who were not threatening in their attacks produced skilful passing led by skipper Mohammed Sissoko but the former Liverpool player’s finish was wayward. The visitors survived few anxious moments to keep slender lead at the half time.

After five minutes into the second half, Pune City exerted pressure with Traore having a good chance set up by Sanju Pradhan but the finishing shot got blocked by Norwegian defender John Arne Riise.

Coming as a substitute in the 80th minute, Rodriguez struck two minutes later on a direct free-kick that swung into the near corner and brought more than 9,000 spectators to their feet.