Minerva Punjab score in injury time to hold Gokulam Kerala 1-1

A 10-man Minerva Punjab FC scored an injury-time goal to snatch a 1-1 draw against Gokulam Kerala FC in their 13th round I-League match here on Saturday.

Gokulam Kerala drew the first blood in the 82nd minute through Debutant Marcus Joseph but defending champions Minerva equalized in the final minute of the additional time through Musa Caicedo (90+4 minute) to share the spoils at the Devi Lal Stadium here.

The visiting side made their intent clear as soon as the match began and in the second minute itself Pritam Singh found the back of the net off an Abhishek Das cross, but the referee disallowed the goal.

Minerva, who are now out of reckoning for the title, suffered a jolt in the 20th minute when forward Zacharie was red carded for an unnecessary foul against Gokulam keeper Arnab Das inside the box. Gokulam kept on attacking but the defending champions denied them any clear chance in the first half.

A major part of the second half was a midfield tussle with the home side mostly defending while Gokulam attacking in short bursts but was unable to create any clear chance.

Gokulam's efforts were rewarded in the 82nd minute when debutant Marcus Joseph from Trinidad and Tobago found the back of the net.

Minerva, who were on the verge of a seventh consecutive loss, did not stop trying and they were rewarded for their valiant efforts in the final minute of the injury added time.

Souvik Das sent a pass to Moinuddin inside the Gokulam box who, in turn, headed the ball to Caicedo who did not make any mistake in putting the ball home.