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Minerva Punjab FC beat Aizawl FC 2-0 at their own backyard to go top of the I-League table. Akash Sangwan (51′) and Bazie Armand (90’+5) struck twice in the second half for Minerva Punjab FC to roar back in the title race.
The home side dominated the first half in terms of possession as well as the number of attempts on goal. The first chance for them came in the 7th minute when Chencho lofted the ball for Bali Gagandeep who was on the run at the edge of the penalty box but the pace in ball was just too much for him to have a contact.
Chencho tried his luck in the 11th minute with a dummy rank near the box before unleashing his shot which sailed over the crossbar. William got another chance in the 27th minute when he found himself in an excellent position to score from Kamalpreet’s pinpointed cross but his effort went inches wide of the goalpost.
Aizawl FC, meanwhile, almost took the lead against the run of play when in-form striker Lalkhawpuimawia missed an opportunity to convert an immaculate cross from Ionescu in the 37th minute.
Minutes later, Chencho missed a header to leave the Aizawl FC dugout relieved. William missed arguably the easiest one-on-one opportunity against Avilash Paul but his horrible chip went wayward before the referee blew the half-time whistle.
Minerva Punjab FC took a lead early on in the second half when a brilliant combination play between William, Chencho and Akash resulted in the first goal of the match, incidentally, it was the first goal by the youngster in the premier league of the country.
Chencho was left open on the right flank from where he crossed the ball low towards the path of local boy Akash who made no mistake in converting from 6 yards out. Aizawl FC almost scored an own goal in the 63rd minute when Sukhdev’s long throw shook Aizawl FC’s defence.
A series of injuries to both teams interrupted the flow of play thereafter before Aizawl FC had a chance in the 75th minute when Ionescu made his way inside the Minerva Punjab FC box but his powerless shot was blocked by Minerva defenders.
Minerva Punjab FC goalkeeper Kiran Kumar Limbu made a brilliant save in the 85th minute to keep the scoreline unscathed after a series of deflection seriously threatened Minerva Punjab FC’s defence. Minerva Punjab FC hit the final nail in Aizawl FC’s coffin in the last minute of added time when Bazie, who was introduced to the game only two minutes before, converted William’s cross from handshaking distance.
With the win, Minerva Punjab FC go one point clear at the top having played one match less than second-placed NEROCA FC. The Punjab-outfit will now travel to Coimbatore to face Chennai City FC on March 2 whereas the reigning champions Aizawl FC will host Gokulam Kerala FC on the same day.
