MARGAO, INDIA: Substitute Sanathoi Singh’s last-gasp goal won the Indian Super League (ISL) clash for Punjab FC against Churchill Brothers 3-2 at the Fatorda Stadium in Margao, Goa on Sunday, October 25. Sanathoi’s winner came in stoppage time of the second half after both sides had been tied 2-2 for the majority of 45 minutes.
In a frenzied first half, Punjab FC found the back of the net first in the 13th minute via Raphael Messi Bouli. Brought down inside the box by Churchill defender Gaurav Bora, the Cameroonian made no mistake when converting from the spot. The hosts, however, did not let their shoulders droop and made a strong comeback.
In the 37th minute of this ISL match, Sebastian Gutierrez found himself on the receiving end of a drilled cross by local lad Vincy Barretto, and managed to squeeze it into the net past the near post. The move was set up nicely by midfielder Dramane Salou, who drove it forward, before Gutierrez involved Wayde Lekay and captain Anil Gaonkar.
Vincy Barretto set up Sebastian Gutierrez’s first goal against Punjab FC
Fullback Gaonkar, temporarily playing in an inside-right position, set Barretto up on the right flank before the latter eventually found Gutierrez. Punjab FC, however, regained their lead just three minutes later when Alfred Planas found a rebound landing kindly to him off Angousana Lawang. The Spaniard did not miss.
There was more to come in the first half of this ISL clash with Gutierrez scoring his second goal in stoppage time. Lekay’s attempt at goal was parried back towards Gutierrez by Punjab FC goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh, and the Colombian did not need a second invitation to tap the ball into the empty net and equalise for Churchill Brothers.
Churchill Brothers wasted an opportunity to take the lead in the 57th minute of this ISL match
While the second half did not see too many chances, Churchill Brothers had an excellent opportunity to take the lead in the 57th minute when Punjab FC defender Khaiminthang Lhungdim lost the ball. Three overseas attackers from the home team – John Okoli, Lekay and Gutierrez – found themselves in a 3v2 situation but ended up wasting it, with Muhammad Uvais rushing back to force a deflection.
Messi Bouli’s presence in the heart of Punjab FC’s attack came to the fore in stoppage time of the second half when he received the ball on his shoulder/arm and set Sanathoi up on the left side. The 19-year-old, having come on at half-time, took a touch before drilling it past Churchill Brothers goalkeeper Sayad Kadir. The stadium, however, erupted in jeers as it appeared that Bouli may have handled the ball.
Churchill Brothers’ players, too, made their protests clear to referee Venkatesh, but to no avail. The final whistle blew a while later, and the visitors were declared the winners of this ISL game. With this victory, the Shers remain unbeaten in the league and go up to the second spot in the ISL table. Churchill remain seventh with three points.
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Cover image courtesy: X/IndianFootball
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