Minerva Punjab FC held table topper Aizawl FC to a 2-2 draw in a thrilling I-League match today in Ludhiana.
Mahmoud Al-Amna (43rd minute) opened scoring for Aizawl and Lalthakima (56th) doubled the lead before drama unfolded at the Guru Nanak Stadium.
Loveday (61st) pulled one back for Minerva after the hour-mark and Kareem Nurain (81st) levelled the scoreline. In the first half, Minerva Punjab had more possession of the ball and Aizawl FC struggled to capitalise on its opposition’s follies.
Aizawl brought in its Under-22 player Lalthamika in place of Kingsley who is undergoing suspension at the moment. Aizawl broke the deadlock in the first half after Jayesh’s through ball found Al-Amna who slotted home the goal for the visitors.
In the second half, Aizawl FC came up much stronger and more organised with Al-Amna and Alfred Jaryan dictating play in the attacking third.
Aizawl utilised its set pieces well from its dead ball specialist Jayesh Rane and found Kamo Bayi who made no mistake to put the ball past the Minerva Custodian Arnab Das.
Minerva came back into the game in the last quarter after Kareem’s set piece was put into the goal by Loveday leaving Albino Gomes stranded. Minutes later, Kareem scored a brilliant free-kick to deny the visitors three points.
Following the draw, Aizawl FC has 30 points from 14 matches whereas Minerva Punjab FC has 12 points from equal number of matches.
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