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Minerva Punjab FC sensationally overcame a thunderous Shillong Lajong FC second-half comeback to take all three points eventually from their first home game at the Tau Devi Lal stadium in Panchkula this afternoon.
Minerva Punjab FC started attacking heavily in the opening few minutes of the match and they were rewarded with a goal in the 5th minute. It came as an outcome of Sukhdev’s long throw-in which came rumbling down to Dano after multiple deflections and flicks. Dano volleyed it with utmost precision to finish in the top right corner of the net giving no chance to the keeper.
Shillong Lajong FC nearly conceded an own goal from another long throw in the 24th minute. The defence line of Minerva Punjab FC was really strong with Sukhdev and Dano’s rock solid partnership holding Shillong Lajong FC’s attack comfortably.
Gagandeep set up Chencho in the 14th minute for a simple finish but he couldn’t sort his feet quickly and couldn’t hit the target from six yards out. William struck a rocket from 35 yards out in 28th-minute troubling Lajong FC keeper Phurba in the process who somehow managed to keep the shot out.
Minerva Punjab FC struck another one through Gagandeep Bali just seconds before half-time after setting off Chencho on the run down the right flank and meeting his low cross at the end of a great supporting run. The first half ended with a scoreline of 2-0 in favour of the home side.
Shillong Lajong FC made a half-time substitution as Alen Deory joined the fray at the expense of Lalrohlua which made an instant impact for them. Lajong FC struck two back to back goals in a span of three minutes to put in life in the match.
A tad scuffle in the box followed by multiple clearance attempts gave Odafin a chance to take a shot at the loose ball from outside the box and he has found the elusive goal on the hour-mark.
Three minutes later, Laurence Doe stunned the noisy Minerva Punjab FC supporters having scored the equaliser. As he was completely left unmarked, he had all the time and space to head it past a leaping Dagar to help his team equalise.
Minerva Punjab FC’s new signing Bazie Armand tried his luck to get back Minerva Punjab FC’s lead but his shot took a deflection for a corner kick.
Gagandeep Bali finally restored Minerva Punjab FC’s lead in the 80th minute after a confusion among Shillong Shillong FC defenders leaving Gagandeep unmarked just outside the box.
Shillong Lajong FC kept bombarding Minerva Punjab FC’s defence with further attacks almost scoring the equalizer in injury time but William’s goal-line clearance secured all three points for Minerva Punjab FC.
With this win, Minerva Punjab FC have dethroned NEROCA FC at the top with 29 points from 13 matches whereas the Manipur-based outfit have amassed 27 points playing one match extra.
