Kalyani: Mar 11 (IANS) RoundGlass Punjab produced late drama by scoring two goals in second-half stoppage time to overcome Aizawl FC 4-3 in a 7-goal thriller at Kalyani Municipal Stadium here on Friday.
Punjab left it too late to find a winner, after coming from behind three times in the contest to deal a crushing blow against their plucky opponents on the night.
Despite being on the rise, Aizawl nearly faced a setback early in the eighth minute when CK Vineeth raced behind his baseline to pounce on goal.
Aizawl’s midfield played a seek ball for striker David Zate to chase into the opponent’s box, which was inadvertently deflected away from RoundGlass goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte. David Zate was left with the easier task of slipping the ball into the unprotected net to give underdogs Aizawl FC a deserved lead.
Ashley Westwood’s RoundGlass Punjab leveled the contest in the 38th minute. Their play on the wings finally paid off when captain Bikash Yumnam scored a cross from the right flank.
The tie lasted a few seconds, as Aizawl scored through Ramhlunchhunga on the next attack of the game in the 40th minute. He arrived in the box at the right time and scored opportunistically by setting it into the bottom corner of the wood.
The Punjab team created another golden opportunity to get back into the game in the 43rd minute. CK Vineeth was brought down inside the area by a tackle from Lalthakima Ralte. Joseba Beitia stepped up to take responsibility from 12 meters, and his penalty was almost stopped by Lalmuansanga. However, his outstretched arm was not enough to prevent the ball from finding the net, and the score leveled again at 2-2 before the break.
In the second half, Aizawl FC were the benefactor of a penalty kick this time, which was unerringly converted by leaders Dipanda Dicka in the 47th minute for the fifth goal of the match.
However, this was not the last edge-of-the-seat action in the game, as sustained pressure from RoundGlass Punjab to get back into the game, paid dividends for a third time when Aizawl’s full-back Vanlalnghenga received a second yellow card. for a foul on Travis Major in the 72nd minute to reduce Mizoram’s team to 10 men.
Having to play one less player in the last quarter of the match, Aizawl FC showed a lot of determination to stay in the contest until the last minutes.
Kurtis Guthrie headed in Travis Major’s cross in the 92nd minute as RoundGlass Punjab leveled for the third time in the match. This was the Englishman’s sixth goal of the I-League season, putting him top of the scoring charts.
RoundGlass Punjab captain Bikash Yumnam broke Aizawl FC’s hearts in the 94th minute with a heroic header that deflected into the far corner to seal a 4-3 win for his side, sparking wild celebrations down the line. band.