Edmar brace sinks Salgaocar

Margao: Edmar Figueira scored a goal in each half to guide Pune Football Club to a facile 3-1 victory over Salgaocar in the 10th round of the I-League, played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Margao, here on Sunday.

Pune FC who led 1-0 at half time scored through Edmar Figueira (24th, 81st) and Izumi Arata (74th). While Salgaocar reduced the margin through Keita Mandjou in the 77th minute. The first half was a midfiled affairs which saw a few goal mouth moves. Salgaocar could not create much of an impact in the first half as their midfield commited lot of miss passes which helped their rivals to make swift counter moves and in such a move they scored in the 24th minute.Defender Othallo Tabia from the right send a perfect cross into the box for Edmar Figueira who leaped high to out jump his marker Peter Costa and send a powerful header into the net. Salgaocar, put up a better performance in the second half and had couple of early chances to equalize but Keita Mandjou and Chandam Chitra failed to cash on the chances that came their way. Pune, who played more of long ball to dent holes in the rival box increased the lead in the 74th minute. Doughou Pierre gave a pass to Edmar on the left who raced into the box with Milagres Gonsalves following him, took a shot at the goal which was blocked by a defender and off the rebound, Izumi Arata shot home. Salgaocar retaliated and reduced the margin three minutes later. Substitute Milagres Gonsalves took a shot from outside the box which hit the cross bar and Keita Mandjou headed in. The goal pepped up Salgaocar spirit and they attacked with more vigour and came close to finding the equalizer on couple of occasion before Edmar Figueira dented their Hopes of a come back when he raced into the box, dribbled past defender Keenan Almeida and Peter Costa before slotting the ball into the net with a left footer in the 81st minute. Pune FC now have 12 points from ten matches. While Salgaocar remained on 7 points from nine matches. Referee Santosh Kumar showed yellow card to Salgaocar?s Luciano Sabrosa and Pune FC Othallo Tabia. PTI