RoundGlass Punjab edge out Aizawl FC in blockbuster encounter

by Aryalok Maithilesh March 12, 2022

RoundGlass Punjab produced late drama against Aizawl FC by scoring two goals in injury time of the second half to edge out Aizawl FC 4-3 in a 7-goal thriller at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium. RoundGlass Punjab left it very late to find a winner, after coming from behind three times in the contest to land a crushing blow against their valiant opponents on the evening.

Aizawl FC made the early running in the game, keeping possession of the ball to good effect and moving their opposition across the pitch. Despite being in the ascendency, Aizawl almost faced an early setback on the eighth minute when CK Vineeth ran in behind their backline to bear down on the goal. Vineeth was expected to test the goalkeeper at the least from this promising position, but could not sort his feet out in time to evade the onrushing Muansanga.

The side from Mizoram continued to look the better of the two teams in the opening exchanges and earned their due reward on the 24th minute, albeit with a healthy slice of luck. The Aizawl midfield played a searching ball for striker David Zate to chase in the opponents’ box, which was inadvertently deflected away from RoundGlass goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte. David Zate was left with the easiest task of sliding the ball into the unguarded net to give underdogs Aizawl FC a deserved lead.

Ashley Westwood’s RoundGlass Punjab side leveled the contest in the 38th minute. Their wing play finally bore fruit when captain Bikash Yumnam stood up a cross from the right flank. Goalkeeper Lalmuansanga misjudged the flight of the ball, leaving CK Vineeth to rise above everyone else and head the ball into the back of the net.

The parity lasted for a matter of seconds, as Aizawl scored through Ramhlunchhunga in the very next attack of the game on the 40th minute. He arrived in the box at the right time and scored opportunistically by slotting it into the bottom corner off the woodwork.

The side from Punjab created another golden opportunity to come back into the game in the 43rd minute. CK Vineeth was brought down inside the box by a lunging tackle from Lalthakima Ralte. Joseba Beitia stepped up to take the responsibility from 12 yards, and his penalty kick was nearly saved by Lalmuansanga. However, his outstretched arm was not enough to stop the ball from finding the net, and scores became level again at 2-2 going into the break.