Calcutta: Pune FC couldn’t have asked for a better opening in their first home match of this season and it was Thongkhosiem Haokip, who proved to be the star for the day, as the hosts showed no mercy in thumping Lajong FC 5-2 in their Round III match of the Hero I-League, at the Balewadi Sports Complex Stadium, in Pune, on Thursday.

The hosts took an early lead when Haokip struck in the third minute. It was striker Darko Nikac, who sent in a straight ball from the midfield to Ryuji Sueoka. The Japanese headed the ball back and Haokip took control of it and made no mistake in netting the ball past Lajong custodian TP Rehenesh.

Haokip struck again in the 13th minute when right winger Edgar Marcelino put in a cross to Haokip, who was lurking around the goal area. Haokip made it look easy as he chipped the ball in.

Before things could settle down, Haokip struck again two minutes later when Sueoka’s attempt was thwarted by a Lajong defender.

Haokip pounced on the ball and took the possession before firing the ball in, to the rejoice of the crowd.

The hosts enjoyed maximum possession of the ball and were in full control of the proceedings. The crowd, which mostly consisted of school students, were up on their feet every time the home team gave them moments to rejoice.

In the 44th minute, it was Sueoka’s turn to score when Mathew Gonsalves sent in a cross to Nikac, who headed the ball into the six-yard box with Ryuji sliding in and scoring the goal.