‘Pune FC secured their third win in a row with a stunning 3-2 win over their arch rivals Mumbai FC in an I-League Round 4 encounter at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune on Sunday.

In a fiercely contested battle, Pune FC took the lead through Luciano Sabrosa (8th minute) before Josimar Martins (12th) equalised for Mumbai FC. Pune FC scored twice through Darko Nikac (31st) and Ryuji Sueoka in either half to make it 3-1, before Mohammed Rafi scored a consolation for the visitors in the 89th minute.

The three points earned in the derby also took Pune FC (10 pts) to the top spot in the standings by becoming the first team to reach double figures this season.

The second win at home also ensured that Pune FC secured the bragging rights in the Maha Derby, which over the years has become one of the most closely contested and highly ranked games of the I-League.

Coach Karim Bencherifa fielded the same Starting XI from the previous game with defender Anas Edathodika starting on the bench.

Pune FC soaked pressure early on with Mumbai FC going close on a couple of occasion. However, they began pushing forward and soon were rewarded with the first goal.

Eight minutes into the game, a Pune FC corner from the right by midfielder Edgar Marcelino saw the ball being delivered right to the feet of Luciano on the edge of the box on the left. His flat shot deflected off Ashutosh Mehta into the Mumbai FC goal sending the home fans into delirium.

At the other end, Josimar Martins pulled Mumbai FC level four minutes later. A long throw in from Mumbai FC on the right, saw Pune FC custodian Amrinder Singh being pushed in some heavy jostling. The ball landed in front of Josimar who put it in into the goal after an initial shot was cleared off the line by Mathew Gonsalves.

Thereafter, Pune FC had several attacks on the Mumbai FC goal before finally taking the lead in the 31st minute. An Edgar Marcelino corner taken from the left saw the ball directly arrive towards Darko Nikac who made no mistake in heading the ball right into the Mumbai FC goal thereby restoring the one goal lead.

Pune FC went into the breather leading FC by two goals to one.

The second half picked up right from where the first half ended. In the 53rd minute Edgar took a painful blow when he collided with Ashutosh. Two minutes later Ryuji Sueoka was bought down on the halfline by Taisuke Matsugae. The physical nature of the game took its toll on Mumbai FC’s Climax Lawrence who was taken off on a stretcher after pulling a groin muscle. The referee eventually got into the act in the 60th minute when he gave Ashutosh a yellow card for a nasty challenge.

Having continuously pushed up, Pune FC almost increased their lead in the 80th minute. A powerful shot by Edgar on the Mumbai goal saw their custodian Nidhan Lal take a long jump on the left to deny Pune FC their third goal.

It was the 85th minute that cemented Pune FC’s lead on the top. A brilliant cut back from substitute Nikhil Kadam on the left saw the ball come to Sueoka down the middle. The shot took a deflection off Justin and rolled into the goal, sending the fans into ecstasy.

However there were nervous moments for the home team. Mohammed Rafi who came in as a substitute in the 84th minute for Cletus Paul, scored a late goal through a header after a series of smart moves by the Mumbai FC players saw the ball reach him.

More drama followed in the third minute of added time when Nidhin Lal made a double save to first deny Edgar and then Darko to slot in a fourth for Pune.

The visitors had a few attacks late on, but Pune FC held on for a sweet win.