S. Venkatesh, Keita Mandjou and substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua got the goals for Pune FC while Ryuji Sueoka’s 23rd minute goal had briefly brought Salgaocar Sports Club on level terms.
Venkatesh, a former international who still has some bite left in him, sounded the warning to Salgaocar early in the game when he essayed a firm right footer that missed the target narrowly.
The match, then, was just a minute old and it was clear that the visitors were ready to take the battle to the opposition.
Pune FC deservedly took the lead in the 18th minute, when defender Srikant Ramu moved up on the right flank and sent a cross into the box where Venkatesh made Salgaocar pay for leaving him unmarked.
Salgaocar got their act together and drew level in the 23rd minute. Edeh Chidi’s shot was blocked by Pune goalkeeper Abhra Mondal but the rebound fell nicely at the feet of Sueoka, who made no mistake from close.
Pune FC were ahead for the second time in the match in the 35th minute and this time too Venkatesh was at the heart of the goal. The veteran cut past a defender and picked out Keita Mandjou at the goalmouth to do the damage.
The second half saw a strong comeback from Salgaocar. Their strikers were all over the rival territory but the home side could not take any of their chances.
Once, Bishwajit Saha’s attempt hit the crossbar, and to make things worse, it was Pune FC substitute Jeje Lalpekhlua who added his name to the scoresheet with a fine counter-attack initiated by Izumi Arata.
This was Pune FC's first away win as they took their tally to 14 points, but importantly they managed to catapult three places up the league table to sixth position.
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