RoundGlass Punjab FC crowned I League Champions, get promoted to Indian Super League

by Chittu Shetty March 4, 2023

A comprehensive 4 – 0 win in the penultimate game ensures RoundGlass Punjab become the Hero I-League champions with a match to spare

The whole bench of RoundGlass Punjab FC (RGPFC) ran into the field in jubilation after the referee Pratik Mondal blew his final whistle as they had been crowned as the new champions of the Hero I League at the iconic Ambedkar Stadium beating Rajasthan United FC 4-0 and as a result also gained promotion to the next season’s Indian Super League (ISL). They achieved this feat with one match to spare. Chencho Gylteshen, Luka Majcen, Juan Mera and Valpuia scored for the winners.

RGPFC coach Staikos Vergetis named an unchanged line-up from the last match for the crucial encounter. Rajasthan United started with their strongest side hoping to delay the away side’s title push. Both teams started cautiously, in the beginning, trying to control the possession of the ball. The first real attack came for the home side when Bektur Amangeldiev got the better of the defender and poked in a cross across the six-yard box but could not find a teammate.

Freddy Lallawmawma had the first chance to score when he was set up by Juan Mera but his shot flew over the post. RGPFC did not have to wait long to score. They took the lead in the 16th minute when Brandon’s cross was met inside the box by a leaping Chencho Gylteshen who jumped above the defender to score via a deflection of the defender.

RGPFC could have increased the lead soon from a corner. Juan Mera’s corner was deflected towards the goal by Luka Majcen which came back off the crossbar. The deflection fell kindly to Hmingthanmawia but his header fell straight for the Rajasthan keeper Vishal Joon. RGPFC kept on testing the home defence with Chencho and Juan having shots on target. RGPFC doubled their lead in the 40th minute through Luka Majcen. Brandon Vanlalremdika and Ajay Chhetri combined well in the right flank and the latter’s cross was met with power by Luka Majcen who slotted a header past the Rajasthan United keeper. Rajasthan’s forward Otabek Zokirov tested RGPFC keeper Kiran Kumar Limbu, who easily parried the shot away which was the best chance for Rajasthan to score in the half.

The home side started brightly in the second looking to make an impact early but all their attacks were thwarted by the RGPFC defence. On the other end, RGPFC were threatening to score from every attack. Chencho was making excellent runs behind the Rajasthan defence and came close to scoring a couple of times but his efforts were saved by the Rajasthan keeper. Such a run bore fruit in the 76th minute when he was released by Luka Majcen with a cross-field pass. Chencho teed up a pass for the on-rushing Juan Mera who dribbled past defender Amritpal Singh and finished past the Rajasthan keeper with his weaker right foot to make the match beyond the home side’s reach.

Valpuia put the final touches for the I League winners in injury time, meeting substitute Juan Carlos Nellar’s free-kick with a powerful header past Vishal Joon. The final whistle saw the winners and the supporters in the stands jumping in jubilation. Chencho Gylteshen was adjudged the Hero of the Match.

RGPFC have 49 points from twenty-one matches while Rajasthan United FC have 25 points from twenty-one matches. RGPFC will face TRAU FC in their final game of the season at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Panchkula where they will be presented with the I League trophy.

RGPFC (Chencho 16′ Luka 40′ Juan Mera 76′ Valpuia 90+1) 4 – 0 RUFC

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