By Pune FC Media

PUNE: Defending champions Pune FC Under-17s fought back from a goal down to beat Mahilpur Football Academy 2-1 and seal their place in the big final of the 13^th Administrator’s Challenge Cup at the Sector-17 Football Ground in Chandigarh on Monday.

Second half goals from medio Sachin K (49^th minute) and skipper Muirang Wungngayam (60^th) cancelled Jagpreet Singh’s (6^th) first half opener for Mahilpur FA and helped Pune FC qualify for their second successive final in the competition.

The game, a rematch of last year’s final, saw both sides attack with intent, but it was Mahilpur FA who took the lead early on in the first half. After keeper Pune FC Deepak Saravanan blocked a shot from an attacker, Jagpreet capitalised and smashed home the rebound to put the local side up in the sixth minute.

Trailing by a goal going into the breather, Pune FC began the second half in an all-out attack mode. Their efforts paid off soon as first Sachin pulled level four minutes after the restart. The midfielder tapped home a rebound after striker Lalawmpuia had his freekick blocked by the keeper.

Eleven minutes later, Muirang sealed the comeback win with a stunning goal. The youngster scored with a thunderous freekick from 45-yards out which went through the helpless Mahilpur custodian’s hand.

Pune FC will now face Chandigarh Football Academy in the big final on Wednesday, September 30^th.