Lalkhapuimawia’s brace sinks Punjab FC

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 1

Lalkhapuimawia netted two goals as hosts Churchill Brothers FC defeated Punjab FC 3-0 to get their 13th Hero I-League season underway on a confident note, at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, today. 

Lalkhapuimawia scored his first goal just before the half-time whistle, followed by another in the 81st minute. Willis Plaza netted one on the 70th minute to send back visitors with a disheartening result.   The duo of Trinidadian Robert Primus in defence and Ghanaian midfielder Kalif Alhassan made the Churchill line-up and started against their former club. Talisman and skipper Willis Deon Plaza led the line, with Dawda Caesay behind him. Also making his club debut was former Aizawl FC forward Lalkhapuimawia (Mapuia).

On other hand, Punjab FC started with a traditional defensive formation. Anwar Ali started in the heart of defence, with former East Bengal man Sanju Pradhan in midfield and Dipanda Dicka as striker to make his Punjab debut. In the first-half, Churchill had better of the exchanges as they lead to their first goal in added time. 

Ponif Vaz delivered a cross in which took a nudge off Ali and dropped right in front of Lalkhapuimawia. The Mizo forward made no mistake in scoring on his debut and giving Churchill the lead.

After the breather, Punjab FC came out as a more organized unit. However, they failed to stop Churchill from extending their lead in the 70th minute. 

A darting run down the midfielder Gambian Dawda Cessay paid dividends as he found Plaza, who completely caught the Punjab defence napping and scored with a clinical right-footer. The game was father put beyond any doubt when Israel Gurung, in the 81st minute, lobbed one over the Punjab defence with Lalkhapuimawia as the target. 

With a defender on his shoulder and keeper Bhaskar Roy in his peripheral vision, Lalkhapuimawia marked his signature unleashed scissor kick from outside the penalty box to seal his home debut with a potential goal of the season contender.

As the match proceeded towards end, Punjab FC got another setback after Ali was awarded a red card in the dying stages for a rough charge.