Pritam Ningthoujam’s spectacular long-range strike helped Punjab FC open their I-League campaign on a winning note as they beat Aizawl FC 1-0, here on Saturday.
Ningthoujam’s 18th-minute goal gave Punjab FC three points in a high-intensity match.
Aizawl FC created clear goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match but failed to convert any one of them.
In the 10th minute, Princewell Emeka tried to backheel a pass to an onrushing Brandon inside the box, whose shot was blocked, as Aizawl FC wasted a golden opportunity to go ahead.
Eight minutes later, Pritam Ningthoujam unleashed a powerful strike from outside of the box to hand the Punjab outfit a 1-0 lead, much against the run of play.
Chencho Gyeltshen could have doubled the lead had his touch inside the box been better after collecting a cross from the right flank.
With all the possession in the final third, Aizawl FC lacked creativity upfront and were easily diffused by Punjab’s defensive line. Despite dominating possession and pressing their opponents constantly, Aizawl FC did not have any goals to show.
The Mizoram side earned a golden opportunity to grab an equaliser in the 62nd minute after Alfred Jaryan found himself inside the box but his shot from a tight angle was blocked by the opponents.
Former champions Chennai City FC defeated Gokulam Kerala FC 2-1 in their opening match of the I-League here on Saturday.
Vijay Naggapan’s 50th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides after Gokulam Kerala’s third-minute strike by Dennis Antwi was cancelled out by Elvedin Skrijelj’s 26th-minute penalty.
Gokulam Kerala FC wasted no time and took the lead in the third minute with Dennis Antwi firing home from close range following a quick corner.
Chennai City’s Singaporean signing Iqubal came close to bagging an equaliser from a freekick in the eighth minute. Shortly after, Philip Adjah could have found the net for Gokulam FC but shot wide of the target from outside of the box.
In the 26th minute, Chennai City’s Serbian import Vladimir Molerovic was brought down inside the box. The other Serbian import for Chennai, Elvedin Skrijelj, scored from the spot to level the scores.
It took Chennai City five minutes into the second half to take the lead. Vijay Naggapan played a delightful one-two with Demir Avdic to find the back of the net.