AFC Cup 2019: Minerva Punjab held by Manang Marshyangdi, registers third consecutive draw

BetOdds AFC Cup Minerva Punjab Manang Marshyangdi Minerva Punjab v Manang Marshyangdi

Minerva Punjab took the lead twice but allowed the visitors to get back into the game...

Minerva Punjab were held to a 2-2 draw by Manang Marshyangdi in their third Group E game at the 2019 AFC Cup on Wednesday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Sreyas Gopalan gave Minerva an early lead before Abhishek Rijal equalised in the second half. Kareem Nurain's spot-kick looked to have sealed a win for the hosts butÂ Oluwawunmi Somide's header helped the visitors grab a point.Â

Sachin Badadhe made three changes to the Minerva lineup that was held by Abahani Dhaka in their last group game. Amandeep Singh, Souvik Das and Bhaskar Roy made way for Akash Sangwan, Moirangthem and Arshdeep Singh in the starting lineup.Â

Manang coach Gurung named an unchanged lineup from their 0-2 defeat to Chennaiyin on April 17.

The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges as they pressed for an early goal but sub-par output in the attacking third left them without a breakthrough in the first half.Â

At the other end, Minerva Punjab made their chance count in the eighth minute. A corner-kick that Manang failed to clear fell perfectly for Sreyas Gopalan who slotted into the back of the net from the centre of the box to give the hosts an early lead.Â

Gopalan had an opportunity to double his tally in the 25th minute but he headed Samuel Lalmuanpuia's cross wide of the goal.Â

Robert Primus was forced off due to an injury and was replaced by Arashpreet Singh at the half-hour mark. The substitute's first mark on the game was to concede a penalty for a foul onÂ Oluwashina Azeez. However, Sujal Shrestha's left-footed spot-kick was kept out saved by Minerva custodian Arshdeep Singh.Â

The Nepali club pushed for an equaliser after the restart and their efforts bore fruit. The warning bells rang when Anjan Bista outfoxed his marker on the left flank and crossed into the centre for Sujal Shrestha whose powerful shot was blocked away for a corner.Â

In the 69th minute, Kamal Shrestha glided past Akash Sangwan on the right flank and delivered a low cross into the centre of the box for Abhishek Rijal who caressed a beautiful finish into the top corner of the net.Â

Minerva Punjab stood firm at the back to shut the visitor's attack down and threatened on the break at the other end. On one such counter, Biraj Maharjan produced a late challenge to foul Moinuddin Khan inside the box and gift the hosts a penalty. Kareen Nurain stepped up and scored from 12 yards to restore Minerva's lead.Â

Just as Badadhe's men thought the job was done, Manang Marshyangdi equalised for the second time in the game. Kamal Shrestha was once again allowed space to cross from the right flank and he foundÂ Oluwawunmi Somide whose header beat the goalkeeper.Â

2019-05-01 18:00:02

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