<p>Kochi: Punjab FC secured a stoppage time 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters FC to kick off their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign here on Sunday.</p>.<p>The game looked set to end in a goalless draw, despite exciting efforts from both sides until the final 10 minutes of the contest and deep into the stoppage time.</p>.<p>It was a close affair until then, with offensive lines of both teams giving each other a tough run, stretching the backlines.</p>.<p>However, the livewire Punjab attacker Leon Augustine earned a spot-kick in the 86th minute that skipper Luka Majcen converted into a goal with absolute ease.</p>.Vinith Venkatesh's solitary goal in ISL debut helps Bengaluru FC edge past East Bengal.<p>Showing calm from the spot, Augustine slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, and it seemed to be enough to get Punjab the win.</p>.<p>However, the home team struck back with great intensity, with Jesus Jimenez coming to their rescue with a timely equaliser in the 90th minute.</p>.<p>It came courtesy of an assist by defender Pritam Kotal. As Kerala flooded the Punjab FC box in numbers, Kotal’s low cross was nodded in by Jimenez to score the equaliser.</p>.<p>During the pulsating final minutes Punjab grabbed the win with captain Majcen sliding in a ball to Filip Mrzljak in close range of goal.</p>.<p>The latter tapped the ball in and got Punjab ahead, with only a few minutes to spare.</p>.<p>Kerala Blasters struck back with the duo of Milos Drncic and Vibin Mohanan, but the defender’s strike at goal to bag at least a point for his side was overruled, handing a thrilling win to the visitors.</p>
<p>Kochi: Punjab FC secured a stoppage time 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters FC to kick off their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign here on Sunday.</p>.<p>The game looked set to end in a goalless draw, despite exciting efforts from both sides until the final 10 minutes of the contest and deep into the stoppage time.</p>.<p>It was a close affair until then, with offensive lines of both teams giving each other a tough run, stretching the backlines.</p>.<p>However, the livewire Punjab attacker Leon Augustine earned a spot-kick in the 86th minute that skipper Luka Majcen converted into a goal with absolute ease.</p>.Vinith Venkatesh's solitary goal in ISL debut helps Bengaluru FC edge past East Bengal.<p>Showing calm from the spot, Augustine slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, and it seemed to be enough to get Punjab the win.</p>.<p>However, the home team struck back with great intensity, with Jesus Jimenez coming to their rescue with a timely equaliser in the 90th minute.</p>.<p>It came courtesy of an assist by defender Pritam Kotal. As Kerala flooded the Punjab FC box in numbers, Kotal’s low cross was nodded in by Jimenez to score the equaliser.</p>.<p>During the pulsating final minutes Punjab grabbed the win with captain Majcen sliding in a ball to Filip Mrzljak in close range of goal.</p>.<p>The latter tapped the ball in and got Punjab ahead, with only a few minutes to spare.</p>.<p>Kerala Blasters struck back with the duo of Milos Drncic and Vibin Mohanan, but the defender’s strike at goal to bag at least a point for his side was overruled, handing a thrilling win to the visitors.</p>