Margao: Pune FC held on gamely to Arata Izumi first half strike to score a solitary goal win over Dempo in the 19th round of the I-League, played at Nehru Stadium.
Pune FC who lost to sporting Clube de Goa in their last round, looked fresh as they played to a plan as they played a defencive game and than launched a quick counter move in which they succeeded and found the net in the 20th minute through Arata Izumi header off a cross from Baldeep Singh. Their defence then put up a solid performance as they held their fame rivals gamely especially in the second half as Dempo launched flurry of moves but failed to find the equaliser even as Clifford and substitute Joaquim Abranches missed a clear chance from close.
Pune FC now to sixth place with 31 points. While Dempo who were looking to extend their lead at the top suffered their first defeat after being unbeaten in the last five matches. (PTI)
