Tough matches bring the best out of good sides. RoundGlass Punjab FC stayed true to the maxim here at Tau Devi Lal Stadium on Sunday, January 8, beating NEROCA FC 3-1 in a keen contest.
Seven of the last eight I-League seasons have been decided on the final day, and it's no surprise to see a similar pattern evolving this time around too.
Luka Majcen, formerly of Gokulam, scored the decisive goal of the match deep in the second half, sending the Punjab side to second place on the league standings with 17 points from eight matches -- two points behind Sreenidi Deccan, who have 19 points after playing nine matches so far
The game began at a slow pace as both teams approached each other cautiously. The home team dominated the play using the overlapping runs on the wings to attack, while RoundGlass Punjab defended well and preferred to build from the back
RoundGlass Punjab FC lost their last encounter against Churchill Brothers FC 2 - 1 last season. RGPFC is currently fifth in the table with 13 points from 6 matches while Churchill Brothers FC are eighth in the table with 8 points from 7 matches.
The hosts head into the fixture with confidence sky-high after two morale-boosting wins at home against RoundGlass Punjab FC (2-0) and city rivals NEROCA FC (2-1).
Mumbai City-loanee Pranjal Bhumij's goal meant RoundGlass Punjab led at the break. In the second half, Real Kashmir defenders Akashdeep Singh and Lamine Moro were sent off after receiving their second yellows, making the visitors' job of holding their slender lead easier
RGPFC had suffered their first loss of the season against TRAU at Imphal in the last round. It will look to get back to winning ways against table-toppers Real Kashmir FC who are unbeaten this season.
Buanthanglun Samte and Salam Johnson Singh found the net on either side of the breather to give TRAU a much-needed win and end a run of three straight losses. The result also ended the visitors' unbeaten start as they also failed to find the net in a match for the first time this season.
Both sides enter the contest on the back of contrasting runs of form, with the home side suffering defeat in their last three matches -- all of them being away fixtures.
In an action-packed game, a thumping header from Punjab defender Deepak Devrani in the second half proved to be the deciding factor after a first-half penalty by Luka Majcen was cancelled out by R Lalthanmawia's tap-in.