ISL: Miku snatches a 1-1 draw for Bengaluru FC against FC Pune City

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Bengaluru, February 16: Bengaluru FC overcame a shabby first-half performance to draw 1-1 with FC Pune City at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Friday (February 16).

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Sarthak Goloui put the visitors ahead in the 22nd minute, but Miku equalised 15 minutes before the final whistle to help Bengaluru FC remain unbeaten in nine games across all competitions. It was BFC's first draw in 16 ISL matches.

FC Pune City dominated the first half. Goloui provided FC Pune City the upper hand after making a smart run on the right. Marcelinho ran down the left flank after intercepting BFC defender Rahul Bheke's clearance and surged into the box, wickedly turning and squaring it to Emiliano Alfaro at the centre. The Uruguayan striker, instead of shooting, wonderfully set up Goloui, whose left-footed shot took a touch off Gurpreet Singh Sandhu before rolling in.

The visitors continued to make frequent charges into the Bengaluru FC box but could not find a second goal. FC Pune City's Marcelinho, with eight goals to his credit, was a constant threat to the Bengaluru FC defence. He often outpaced Juanan Gonzalez into the box and look to provide assists from there.

BFC's Udanta Singh, although quick off the blocks, was unable to deliver decent balls into the box. He would often get surrounded by two to three Pune defenders and thereby denied space. Unable to make any impact, Udanta was taken off in the 61st minute for Alwyn George in a double change. Nishu Kumar and Thongkhosiem Haokip (73rd minute) were also brought in for Bengaluru FC in the second half for Subhasish Bose and Lenny Rodrigues.

It was probably these changes that made the difference for Bengaluru FC. Quick touches and first-time shots were the key against the compact Pune City defence. However, midfielder Toni Dovale would often slow down the pace of the game, waiting for someone to make a run on the far side. In the process, BFC would end up with nothing as evident by the number of shots on target they had before their first goal - one.

But they changed their plan in the second half. Haokip pushed himself further on the field and Miku played as a second striker. BFC had appeals for a hand-ball turned down in the 69th minute when Baljit Sahni handled Sunil Chhetri's cross from the left near the side-netting. Miku was instead booked for dissent.

BFC kept up the attack, hoping Pune would crumble under the pressure. They had one thing going for them - ball possession, about 60 per cent in the 90 minutes. Under pressure, Pune goalkeeper Vishal Kaith denied Miku's prod on the goal off a corner with a single-handed block in the 73rd minute.

Miku equalised a minute later the same way, from the right side. Baljit Sahni's miscued clearance gifted BFC the ball. Alwyn George pushed it into the box to Haokip (Semboi Haokip). Haokip distracted his marker with a turn to chip it to Miku near the right post, who sneaked it past Vishal Kaith.

Diego Carlos could have put Pune ahead in the very next minute, but he was in two minds whether to take the shot after being sent through by Marcelinho. He dribbled to the right for space but BFC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu denied him a shot with a clean tackle.

A minute before time, Miku could have sealed the three points for BFC. Chhetri sent Haokip through with a fantastic ground pass and the ball landed on Miku after Haokip was dispossessed. But he miscued the shot to hit wide.

The ISL table remains unchanged after the referee blew the whistle. FC Pune City are second on 29 points in 16 games, four behind leaders BFC. Pune are not sure of a spot in the semi-finals yet, but three more points would see them through. Unfortunately, they did not get those three points on Friday night.