Sanli’s double strike gives Pune a winning start in ISL

Minutes later Mumbai City’s persistence paid off when Piquionne rose over the Pune defenders to headed the goal into the net in the 34 minute. The midfielder checked and played it back to Bailey who found Gurung to dummy his marker and send in a cross that Sanli duly thumped in with his head.

Mumbai, who were without their experienced players Sunil Chhetri and goalkeeper Subrata Pal, looked listless throught the match as Pune striker Tuncay Sanli ran the visitors ragged with a brace in either side of the half.

Hrithik Roshan, actor and co owner of FC pune city and Actor Lisa Ray showing their support for Pune City FC.

The 26-year-old winger provided two assists and scored one as Pune started their ISL campaign with a 3-1 win over Mumbai. His precise and sharp movement for both the goals proved to be too hot to handle for the Mumbai City FC rearguard.

Indian Boxer MC Mary Kom was in the stands showing her support to Pune City FC. Mumbai, growing in confidence, had come quite close a minute earlier with Piquionne finding Sony Norde, whose shot rebounded from the post.

The hosts took the lead in the 12th minute after a fast counter-attack ended with Gurung’s accurate cross, received well by the Turkish worldwide Tuncay for a header at the far post to put the hosts 1-0 up. On that occasion, Dudu Omagbeni had scored two goals, both assisted by Kostas Katsouranis. Pune went ahead for the second time in the 56th minute.

In the bid to up the tempo, Mumbai manager, Nicolas Anelka came as a substitute in the 74th minute. While a crowd of over 8000 had gathered in the tiny but picturesque stadium in the outskirts of Pune to see the marquee players in action, it was the diminutive Israil Gurung that added the spice to this Maharashtra derby.

Platt and the management made wholesale changes to the side which played last season – and if the first match is anything to go by, then they’ve made all the right choices. But in the second half, Pune, and Gurung in particular consistently exploited their weaker left wing to create chances.