Pune 1 - 1 Blues (388132384)

Weather conditions were fairly good for football, and Pune BK Arena saw a crowd turnout of 17357. Teodor Trautmann was the appointed referee with assistance provided by Alan Kaasik and Vladimir Avramović. Pune tactics involved an interesting 5-3-2 combination. Lineup: Fogelner - Edin, Gröönhall, Matsson, Johansson, Dverg - Dalskog, Bengtsson, Hökquist - Fredriksson, Gottskär.

Blues decided to use a 3-5-2 set up. The following players had been chosen: Kindner - Jansson, Stridsten, Svensson - Chiwira, Ingemarsson, Gerdborn, Hägerholt, Christiansson - Holing, Dyrstedt.

Making his way up the middle 15 minutes into the match, K. Gröönhall almost managed to squeeze a goal past the visitors' keeper, but the alert A. Kindner blocked it to keep the score level. Pune's N. Dverg was shown a yellow card for standing over the ball and blocking an opponent's quick free kick after 16 minutes. A well placed corner kick from T. Dalskog was followed by K. Gröönhall's hard but accurate header. The well executed routine resulted in a goal for Pune, the score now 1 - 0. With 22 minutes played, Pune's J. Edin almost extended the lead, but his shot from the left glanced off the top of the bar to fall behind the net. N. Dverg had a fantastic opportunity to put Pune up another goal 23 minutes into the match, but he fired just over the crossbar. After 29 minutes, the visitors tied it up at 1 - 1 when a fantastic pass from the left was finished off by F. Holing. The teams went for the halftime break at 1 - 1. Possession in the forty-five minutes was dominated by Pune, with 56 percent of the ball.

Blues's E. Jansson was shown a yellow card after 57 minutes for slicing down an opponent. As the 60 minute mark approached, the Blues coach decided it was time for a substitution. J. Stridsten reluctantly made way for R. Olofsson on the pitch. 60 minutes into the match, the referee signalled for a Blues substitution. L. Rodbrant came on for A. Hägerholt. P. Dyrstedt was the new captain of Blues - handed the armband by the departing player. Pune's K. Gröönhall tried to break through in the middle repeatedly, but couldn't get past the visitors' defenders. With 66 minutes played, L. Bengtsson of Pune fell dramatically just outside the penalty area. However, the referee was unimpressed, and booked him for diving. The visitors were very close to gaining the lead with a marvellous free kick after 71 minutes, but A. Fogelner made a beautiful one-handed save. Pune had a good opportunity to take the lead as P. Fredriksson came up the left side, but he struck the ball weakly and it went straight into the arms of A. Kindner. After 73 minutes, Pune's L. Bengtsson fell awkwardly, but was determined to stay in the match. That's the spirit! P. Dyrstedt would have preferred to play on, but his coach decided otherwise. T. Nordfeldt entered the game for Blues as the match clock showed 75 minutes. N. Gerdborn was handed the Blues captain's armband. Pune enjoyed most of the ball, as they maintained 55 percent of possession.

Most important Pune player was P. Fredriksson. However, K. Johansson made a disastrous appearance. Blues's best player was F. Holing. On the other hand, M. Christiansson's play was disheartening. The match ends 1 - 1.