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An injury time equaliser by Sujit Sadhu helped Sudeva Delhi FC nick a valuable point against RoundGlass Punjab FC at the Chhatrasal Stadium, on Sunday February 5. The result dealt a setback to the visitors’ title challenge. RoundGlass Punjab FC are now level on points with leaders Sreenidi Deccan, but second on the table on goal difference.
For Sudeva Delhi FC, the deafening sound of the relegation bell will be replaced by a faint scent of hope. Their first win of the season against Rajasthan United days back promised a change in fortune, an uptick in attitude even. That was a victory earned through vigour and courage. Today’s point came through sheer luck and an uncharacteristic nervousness displayed by the visitors.
In the opening stages it looked like RoundGlass Punjab FC would roll on and through the home side. In the 12th minute Aleksandar Ignjatović’s header forced a smart save from Priyant Singh in goal. His parry fell in the path of Luka Majcen who somehow hit the post from four yards. Scoring may have been easier.
And yet, for RoundGlass Punjab FC, it wasn’t. With the league inching towards a photo finish, all contenders (and even some pretenders) have been prone to blinking first, the pressure telling in the most unusual of circumstances. Punjab held most of the possession and for all their vigour and toil they created little of note, on either side of the break.
In the 65th minute, Priyant Singh came out to collect an Ajay Chhetri delivery, but having horribly misjudged his lines, left the unmarked Valpuia with the simple task of heading the delivery into the net. The youngster failed to do so.
Staikos Vergetis brought on Chencho Gyeltshen in the 78th minute, hoping for efficiency in the final third. With practicality his first touch the Bhutanese did what his teammates had so far failed to do, releasing Luka Majcen with a brilliant reverse pass. Majcen ran through and delicately poked the ball through Priyant’s legs to give Round Glass the lead and seemingly, a foot back in the title race.
There was more drama to come. Sudeva Delhi FC threw the kitchen sink at the visitors in the dying moments of the game, the game resembling a cup final. From a badly delivered free-kick, Majcen cleared, badly though, his miskick winning Sudeva a corner. In that moment Majcen lifted his shirt to his face, knowing that he had created unnecessary pressure at a crucial time. His instinct was correct. Sudeva Delhi scored from it, earning themselves a point and also perhaps some hope.
