RoundGlass Punjab FC got a hard win against Sreenidi Deccan FC

RoundGlass Punjab FC were 2-1 winners in their first match in the 2022-23 I-League, as they defeated Sreenidi Deccan at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana on Monday.

First half goals from Luca Magen and Samuel Lalmoanpoya were for the hosts to seal the three points, with Srinidhi defender Shahbaz Khan scoring in the 58th minute.

The first half started tentatively as both teams looked to get their passing rhythms into play. Attacks were few and far between in the first fifteen minutes.

The hosts began to dominate the exchanges eventually, and their first big chance came in the 21st minute after a free kick from the left was headed towards their own net by the Sreenidi Deccan FC defense, who had to be cleared off the line at the last second.

Two minutes later, RoundGlass Punjab FC’s pressure paid dividends. A quick throw-in from the right found Brandon Vanlal Remedica in the space inside the penalty area. He crossed to Magen, and the Slovenian striker cleverly placed it behind the goalkeeper through the near post.

The Punjab side continued waves of attack, with Magsen’s shot from close range hitting the goal line in the 38th minute. However, he was narrowly offside while receiving the ball.

With two minutes left in the first half, RoundGlass Punjab FC doubled their lead through Lalmuanpuia. After Magsen was brought down on the edge of the penalty area, the midfielder took the free kick and placed it over the wall and past the goalkeeper, to the delight of the home fans.

The visitors’ best chance of the first half came on the half-hour mark after a free kick from the right brought the defense into question but Adnan Sekirovic was on hand to clear him just in time.

The away team looked to turn things around in the second with striker David Munoz coming on as a substitute. They created an opener in the 54th minute as Luis Ojana played in a low cross from the right, which Kieran Limbaugh volleyed in safely.

But Srinidhi kept up the pressure and halved the deficit in the 58th minute. Gabriel’s cross was cleared wide by Limbaugh, and Khan hit the loose ball first and slotted it home.

The match turned heated and RoundGlass Punjab FC came close to scoring their third goal in the 68th minute. Krishnananda Singh won the ball up the field and raced towards the sideline from the left wing but his cross was within inches of finding Magen.

Six minutes later, the striker almost came on as a substitute for Pranjal Bhumij with a quick counterattack, but his passes were inaccurate and Srinidhi’s goalkeeper Arian Lamba blocked it.

And the Hyderabad-based team increased the pressure looking for an equalizer near the end, but their attempts were thwarted by Punjab’s defensive line. Substitute Songpo Sengsit fired a long shot at the goalkeeper with six minutes left, but flicked a narrow shot over the bar.

The score remained the same as the referee blew the final blow of his whistle six minutes into extra time. A determined RoundGlass Punjab FC collected all three points despite a strong second half performance by Sreenidi Deccan FC.

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