Defending champions Aizawl FC ended the unbeaten run of table-toppers Minerva Punjab FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Wednesday.
Kareem Omolaja (72′) and Andrei Ionescu (85′) scored one goal apiece for Aizawl FC in their 2-1 win over Punjab. Girik Khosla (90’+5′) pulled one back for the away side as registered their first defeat after a five-match unbeaten run.
Paulo Menezes’ boys started the game upbeat as they forced the away team in their own half. David, Ionescu and Alfred dominated the midfield but the Minerva defence was a hard nut to crack.
The last 25 minutes of the game saw all the action with Omolaja netting the first in the 72nd minute. The ball from David’s corner was guided to the far post of Minerva’s goal by defender Kareem Omolaja to leave goalkeeper Dagar completely stranded.
Minerva’s coach Khogen Singh introduced Moinuddin who scored the equaliser against Mohun Bagan towards the end of the game but the home side scored the second goal of the match to completely take the game away from Minerva Punjab FC. Leonce Dodoz danced past Minerva’s defender and slide the ball to Romanian midfielder Ionescu who made no mistake as he slotted the ball into the net.
Minerva pulled one back in the added time as Khosla in the dying minutes of the game.
Following the win, Aizawl FC jump to the sixth spot with 7 points from four matches whereas Minerva Punjab Fc continue to enjoy the top spot with 13 points from six matches.
Aizawl FC will now travel to Kozhikode to lock their horns with Gokulam Kerala FC on December 31 while Minerva will follow the same itinerary to clash with the Keralite outfit on January 6.
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