ISL 2015: Mutu comes to Pune's rescue against FC Goa

David Platt, the Pune manager, dropped Tuncay Sanli for this game and provided a rare start for Mutu. The 36-year-old made a bright start to the game as he tested the Goa goalkeeper in the third minute of the game with a free kick.

Pune dominated the game from the first whistle as they racked up four corners in the first 10 minutes. Stallions' captain Didier Zokora, provided with the role of marking Goa's danger-man Leo Moura, however, was up for the task.

Eventually, in the 31st minute of the match, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who scored in the reverse fixture last month as well, provided the home side with a well-deserved lead. Didier Zokora made a surging run from the midfield, before setting up the Indian midfielder inside the box, who swept it hope with his instep at the near post.

The Stallions were not able to hold on to the lead for long though, as Goa replied almost immediately. Three minutes after conceding that goal, Rafael Coelho scored his first goal of this ISL as he ran with the ball from the midfield with none of the Pune defenders looking to close him down. The Brazilian striker unleashed a low drive at the edge of the box and Steve Simonsen did not cover himself in glory as the ball sneaked under him into the back of the net.

Goa suddenly came to life after that goal and started dominating possession. Pune goalie, Simonsen had to make two brilliant back-to-back saves as he denied Lucca from a tight angle and then tipped away Moura's long range curler. But, minutes before the end of the first half, Jonatan Lucca scored his third goal of the season to provide Goa with the lead for the first time in the game. The former Roma midfielder drifted in from the right wing and his low shot took a wicked deflection off James Bailey and went on to beat Pune goalie Simonsen at the near post.

With that goal, Goa took a 2-1 lead into the half-time break, as Pune were left to rue their missed chances.

The second half was more subdued until the 90th minute, when Romeo Fernandes missed a golden chance to double Goa's lead. Moura found him at the far post with a cross from the left, but the young winger, instead of passing it across to Dudu Omagbemi, went for the goal himself and failed to hit the target.

With the match edging towards its conclusion, Adrian Mutu saved the day for Pune with a late, late equalizer! Deep into added time, Roger Johnson headed the ball on for Mutu who found the goal with an exquisite turn and volley and with that the match ended 2-2.