PFC, Viva Kerala in eight goal thriller

Pune, Feb 26 (PTI) Hosts Pune FC squandered a four-goallead to draw 4-4 with Viva Kerala in a thrilling Round 16I-League football match at the Balewadi Sports Complex heretoday.

In a match that saw eight gaols scored, Pune FC opened upa 4-0 lead, but failed to keep the determined Viva Kerala sideat bay and squandered a golden opportunity of earning fullpoints.

The home side had Edmar Figuera (3rd minute), GurjinderKumar (19th), Mandjou Keita (25th) and Mandjou Keita (37th)score and sit in comfort zone, before Viva pulled one backthrough Anilkumar (40th) to end the first half.

Viva returned in the second half to net three morethrough Felix Chimadkwo (54th), Bello Rassak (74th) whileAnilkumar (80th) rounded off the tally.

The draw took PFC to 16 points from fifteen rounds, whileViva are on 12 points after playing a round more.

PFC''s first goal came off a penalty-kick when Edmar wascharged by goalkeeper Shahinlal Meloy.

The second PFC goal was the result of a long throw byParesh Shivalkar, which was cleared softly by defender BelloRassak. Gurjinder picking up the loose ball placed his rightfooter through the maze of legs.

Both teams thereafter scored a goal each through off sidepositions. Edmar had a neat tap get over the advancing keeper,while T Karma was caught off side when he converged on adeflection off a free-kick taken by NP Pradeep 20-yards out.

PFC then netted their third, when Lester Fernandes earneda free-kick after he was pulled down on a solo run by defenderCharles Dziah. Keita, who took the set-piece, scored off adeflection that foxed the keeper.

In the 37th minute, Shanmugam Venkatesh unleashed a longtry from the right. Venkatesh''s well directed out-step curledto deceive the keeper who was a little off the line.

Five minutes from the breather, Viva striker Anilkumarpulled one back.

On resumption, Viva took nine minutes to add another,through a penalty kick earned by Felix after he was felled byCaitano Costa. Felix made no mistake.

With Viva attacking with purpose, Bello Rassak had hisstiff right footed attempt make it 3-4, before Anilkumarnetted from a melee near the goal to pull off a dramatic draw.

Anilkumar was named Man Of The Match for his two goaleffort for Viva Kerala.