Pune: Pune FC striker James Moga on Saturday scored one of the quickest goals in the history of Indian football as his side held United Sikkim to a 2-2 draw in a seventh round I-League match here. Moga's strike was timed at 10 seconds. He was off the blocks in the very first minute after Gurjinder Singh fed him soon after the kick-off.
The hosts, however, had themselves to blame for not forcing a win after striker Jeje Lalpekhlua wasted a spot-kick in the second half. Pune FC's Sudanese recruit, Moga netted two goals (1st and 68th), while USFC got their goals from DG Attivi (25th) and Safar Sardar (27th) to take the lead in the first half. The draw took Pune FC's tally to 10 points, while USFC went up to five.
Striker Moga gave Pune FC the best possible start by putting the home side in the driving seat inside 10 seconds. The striker headed in a long ball from defender Gurjinder in a three-touch effort.
USFC silenced the crowd by pulling one back midway into the first half when DG Attivi's scorcher from 30 yards beat Pune FC custodian Shahinlal Meloly.
USFC went 2-1 up a couple minutes later when Safar's long range effort beat Shahin once again. The striker, on a counter, hit a grounder from 25 yards. The ball's direction and speed beat Shahinlal's outstretched dive to the right.
At the other end, Pune FC continued pressing their opponents but failed in the final third. United Sikkim, however, employed counter-attacking techniques to the best. USFC's Nadong Bhutia got into the clear after defender Caitano Costa's failed clearance, but his shot from inside the box went wide. A minute later, Attivi's shot from 35 yards hit the crossbar as the visitors went into the break leading 2-1.
The second half was a different story as Pune FC attacked from the word go. Moga completed his tally when he beat a defender on top of the box on the right and unleashed a strike to the far post.
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