ISL 2017: Marcelinho 'tricks NorthEast United

PUNE: A virtuoso first half display from FC Pune City saw them run out 5-0 winners against NorthEast United FC in an Indian Super League game at the Balewadi stadium here on Saturday.
A hat-trick from Marcelinho and goals from Pune academy graduate Ashique Kuruniyan and Adil Khan pushed the Stallions into second place in the league standings with 15 points from 8 games while the Highlanders, who looked completely devoid of ideas for majority of the match, remain in 9th spot.
In the 8th minute, the ever reliable Rafa Lopez gave away possession on the halfway line and Marcinho carried the ball all the way to the Pune 18-yard box before letting fly but home custodian Vishal Kaith beat it away.
From the resulting counterattack, Emiliano Alfaro sprang forward on the left flank and fed in Marcelinho. The Brazilian's cutback went through a sea of bodies before finding Ashique for a simple tap-in.
Both sides had a few wayward efforts at goal before NEUFC squandered their best chance of the half. In the 23rd minute, right-back Abdul Hakku produced a gem of a cross for Marcinho but the latter headed it wide.
Just before the half hour mark, Marcelinho was fouled outside the penalty area and he duly converted the free-kick after bending it over the wall and past a hapless Rehenesh.
The visitors were threatening to reduce the deficit before the break, but Marcinho again missed the target from a promising position outside the box.
Pune then heaped more misery on their opponents with a third on the stroke of half time via another counter-attack. Marcos Tebar drove forward before finding Jonatan Lucca who sent Marcelinho through and his shot crept under Rehenesh for 3-0.
NorthEast understandably started the second half with much more urgency but they lacked any sort of end product. Pune were happy to sit back and absorb the pressure while looking to counter at any opportunity that came their way.
Marcelinho completed his hat-trick five minutes from time after being put through by Tebar and beating Rehenesh at his near post again.