Margao: Punjab FC suffered their second loss of the Indian Super League season as FC Goa came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory in the fixture played here at the Fatorda Stadium. Asmir Suljic gave an early lead for the Shers but Armando Sadiku equalised after nine minutes while Iker Guarrotxena scored the winner at the start of the second half. Punjab FC dropped to fourth in the table with 12 points while FC Goa climbed to third with the same points as their opponents, but on better goal difference.
Hungarian forward Asmir Suljic made his first start of the season as Panagiotis Dilmperis made two forced changes to the starting lineup, with Filip Mrzljak and Khaimingthang Lhungdim missing out due to injury. Leon Augustine filled in the right back position for the Shers. Manolo Marquez fielded his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Armando Sadiku leading the line.
Punjab were rewarded for their energetic start to the match as they troubled the home team with their high pressing. Asmir Suljic gave the Shers a well-deserved lead in the 13th minute after being set up with a clever dummy inside the box by Luka Majcen from a low cross sent in by Nihal Sudeesh. Asmir planted the ball in the bottom corner with a first time shot for his second goal in two matches.
The Shers were dominant in the period controlling the ball in the midfield but the Gaurs hit back with their first chance of the game. Iker Guarrotxena found Armando Sadiku in space in the area for the Albanian to expertly finish past Ravi Kumar in the Punjab goal from a tight angle to level the scores. The away side maintained the majority of the possession going forward but it was the home side who tested the Punjab defence. Ayush Chhetri and Dejan Drazic attempted long rangers but it was straight to the goalkeeper. The teams went into the break with the scores on level terms, not before Luka Majcen forced a save out of Hrithik Tiwari with the last kick of the half after latching on to a through ball by Pulga Vidal.
Punjab conceded within three minutes of the start of the second half through Iker Guarrotxena. Ivan Novoselec lost the ball in midfield and through a quick counter attack caught the Punjab defence out of position. Ravi Kumar saved the first effort from Drazic but the rebound fell kindly for Iker Guarrotxena who made no mistake in finding the back of the goal. Punjab suffered a double blow as Novoselec was injured in the process and was taken off the field.
Goa defended their penalty box well after taking the lead, even though Punjab had more than 70% possession but could not create any clear cut chances. Guarrotxena almost scored his second goal of the match but his curling effort came back off the post. The home side piled the pressure on the Shers, having five shots on target during the particular phase of the game while Punjab had none.
Sandesh Jhingan put in a last ditch block to deny Mushaga Bakenga a shot on target in injury time to make sure that all three points were secured for the home side.
Punjab FC will face NorthEast United FC in their next fixture after the international break on November 23rd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
