Full Time: FCPC 0-0 BFC That’s it. The tie will be decided in Kanteerava Stadium. We are not sure either side would have been happy with that result. Bengaluru were marginally the better side during that inspid first half, which could have even put squirrels to sleep. Slightly better attitude from both teams in the first quarter of the second half, but the efforts from the attackers were not good enough to test Kaith or Gurpreet.

The last fifteen minutes saw Pune at their fluent best as Marcelinho grabbed a foothold in the game. Bengaluru lost their discipline somewhat but this felt like another game where the refereeing could have been a lot better, atleast to preserve the flow of the game. With the away goals rule in play, Pune will also be fancying their chances at Bengaluru. But remember, Kanteerava is a fortress and it will take a remarkable effort to stop the marauding Bengaluru outfit.

90+3’ There is a late surge from Pune, who have definitely been the better of the two teams in this half. There is a corner for the home side in what looks like the final minute of the game.

85’ FCPC 0-0 BFC Pune have momentum and they are trying their best to force a result. They have Jonathan Lucca on for good measure and Marcelinho is also trying to create things from the flank. They were briefly cut open on the counter from Bengaluru.

The criticism isn’t stopping anytime soon from the looks of it:

74’ FCPC 0-0 BFC What a chance! Issac just need to get a touch to put his side in the lead. Alfaro powered forward with the ball from midfield. He passed it to Marcelinho on the right. The Brazilian cut in and chipped it across the face of goal to find Issac, who was found in space. The winger tried to volley it but missed his kick. How much will Pune rue this miss?

Udanta Singh is on for Boithang, who has had a reasonably good game.

67’ FCPC 0-0 BFC Save! Finally, a decent effort on target from Pune as Marcelinho slams one straight at goal from the edge of the area on the left. Gurpreet was up for the shot as he palms the ball away from the dead-ball opportunity. Meanwhile, Pantalu has come on for Bengaluru.

63’ Pune had a good passage of play and created a couple of good half-chances through Carlos and Marcelinho having shots on goal. Their efforts, though, were way off target.

52’ FCPC 0-0 BFC More midfield battles and heavy tackles but there was a bit of attacking intent shown by Benglauru at the start of the half. Aashique is stretchered off the field and in comes Issac

Half-time: FCPC 0-0 BFC It’s been a snoozefest and there has hardly been a proper shot on target apart from Chhetri asking questions to Kaith with a superb free-kick. Nothing much to write home about otherwise.

30’ FCPC 0-0 BFC Great save! Sunil Chhetri with the free kick and it was after Gurtej Singh had brought down Miku from 25 yards out. The Bengaluru skipper connects it cleanly and pierces the gap in the Pune wall but Vishal Kaith was upto the task, parrying the ball over the bar. Menawhile, Gurtej went into the book too.

26’ FCPC 0-0 BFC Yellow card for Dimas! Dimas and Marcelinho have had quite an individual battle going on at one end of the pitch. The Brazilian has shown good feet but it has not being enough to breach the Bengaluru defence. Here, Dimas goes into the book for a shirt pull on Marcelinho. Needless to say, the Pune attacker fell like a pack of cards, clutching his knees in pain. It looked like a soft yellow and that is putting it mildly.

20’ FCPC 0-0 BFC More sterile possession and a contest that has come down to who is more adept at passing the ball backwards. Chhetri has done a neat job dropping deep and trying to feed balls to Miku. Nothing working at the moment as the game craves for an infusion of intensity.

8’ FCPC 0-0 BFC It’s been a cautious start to the game from both teams and there have been no goalmouth action whatsoever. Bengaluru, despite packing their midfield with numbers are relying on long balls from the back. Pune haven’t seen much of the ball and are plotting on hitting their opponents on the counter-attack.

Eric Paartalu misses out for Bengaluru, which comes as a bit of a surprise as Abert Rocha has opted for more bodies in the middle of the park. Pune field two strikers, showing their intent in taking a lead on home turf.

Hello and welcome to the live updates of the Indian Super League 1st leg tie between Bengaluru and FC Pune City at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune.

BFC, who made their debut in the ISL this season after making a big mark in the I-League till last season, have been the most impressive among the ten teams, and go into the first leg clash with their tails up. Both Pune and Bengaluru play an eye-catching attacking brand of football, and something similar will be expected of them when they clash for the third time this season.

“Now is not the time to make changes to how we play. If we make changes now it may not work for us. When you play the league you have some games to make up,” FC Pune City head coach Ranko Popovic said during the pre-match press conference. “Now we have to be very careful. We have two games and nothing will be decided tomorrow, we need to play good in both games to make it to the finals,” he added.

When asked about his teams strategy Popovic said: “It is very simple; score as many goals as possible and concede as less as possible. if we can do that, we’ll be in the final. We need to express ourselves the way we have been doing throughout the season. We have done very well in the season, and not going all the way will be disappointing.”

(With inputs from PTI)