Punjab FC rode on an injury time penalty goal to play out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Aizawl FC in its I-League match at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Friday.
Sergio Barboza scored from the spot in virtually the final kick of the match (90+6') to break the hearts of Aizawl fans. He had also scored in the 15th minute after Makan Winkle Chothe found the target in the 5th minute for the visiting side. Jonathan Lalrawngbawla gave Aizawl the lead in the fourth minute while Rochharzela scored twice -- in the 18th and 40th minutes.
Aizawl head coach Stanley Rozario had a new reinforcement in the form of latest signing Joseph Adjei, who was one of the two changes in the starting lineup. The other change was in the form of Jonathan Lalrawngbawla, who started upfront in what seemed like a traditional 4-4-2.
The Punjab FC head coach Yan Law reinstated Anwar Ali to his eleven. Bali Gagandeep was also given the nod, as was young Manipuri winger Makan Winkle Chothe, to spearhead a 4-3-3.
The match kicked off in pulsating fashion and it took only four minutes for the first goal to arrive. Joe Zoeherliana played a calculated pass into the 18-yard box, and Jonathan Lalrawngbawla, better known as Jo Jo, did well to reach it and with his outstretched leg and got just enough to see the ball over the line as Aizawl took the lead.
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It took Punjab only a minute to reply, as the visitor went level in the fifth minute through a brilliant piece of improvisation by Chothe on the right flank. Through sheer persistence, he made his way into the box, and following a cutback to his left, fired in an unstoppable shot for the equaliser.
In the 15th minute, Sergio Barboza Jr displayed some samba flair at its finest, as he curled in a delicate, yet beautiful shot into the top right corner from just outside the box to give Punjab the lead. Aizawl equalised just three minutes later, when Rochharzela soared high and with a towering header to meet Lalrawngbawla’s cross from the right put the home side level at 2-2.
In the 40th minute, Aizawl earned a penalty for a handball by Thoiba Singh. Rochharzela stepped up and scored his second to restore Aizawl’s lead going into the breather. In the second half, Punjab came out with serious intent but Aizawl did well to knit threats of its own.
Yan Law introduced Dipanda Dicka for Bali Gagandeep, hoping that the Cameroonian striker would make another super-sub impact. Cavin Lobo, who was also introduced into the fray, almost equalised for Punjab with a good left-footed drive inside the box, but was denied by an outstanding save by Aizawl keeper Lalremruata.
Rocharzzela almost doubled the lead for Aizawl, when he headed in a beautiful cross from Isak Vanlalruatfela towards the goal, only to be denied by yet another spectacular save.
In the sixth minute of stoppage time, Punjab appealed for a penalty and this time, it was awarded. Barboza stepped up and, with great composure, made it 3-3 to bring an enthralling I-League game, to an end. The draw takes Punjab FC to second place on the I-League table, while Aizawl FC remains at sixth.
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