Mohammedan Sporting began their Hero I-League Qualifiers 2020 campaign with a last-gasp 1-0 victory against Garhwal FC as full-back Munmun Lugun scored a long-range goal in the penultimate (90+3′) minute to win the match for his team at the Kalyani Stadium on Thursday.

 The first half began with half-chances for either side, with Garhwal FC earning a free-kick in a dangerous position in the very first minute. However, Muhammed Shafeer’s delivery was collected by Mohammedan’s captain and custodian Priyant Singh. In the fifth minute, Willis Plaza was played in on goal with a wonderful long pass but his first-time shot from a tight angle went wide of the target.

The Black Panthers dominated possession throughout the first 45 minutes but were unable to find the breakthrough, with Garhwal creating chances on the counter attack and goalkeeper Sayak Barai looking confident in his handling.

Mohammedan earned a golden chance in the 67th minute to take the lead as Gani Ahmmed latched on to a slide-rule through-pass by Plaza and was brought down by Sayak Barai, with the referee booking the goalkeeper and pointing to the penalty spot. It was Plaza who stepped up to take the resulting kick but he failed to convert the opportunity as the ball hit the upright and went out of play.

Five minutes later, Plaza was to be denied by the woodwork yet again — this time the crossbar. Faiaz played in a chipped ball from the left side of the penalty box and the Trinidadian saw his headed attempt come back off the bar.

Four minutes of added time was announced and just as the match looked to be headed to a draw, Munmun Lugun secured the three points for Mohammedan with a goal worthy of winning any match. 30 yards away from goal and in the third minute of added time, he struck a powerful, dipping shot with his left foot that left the keeper with no chance and sent his teammates and bench into wild celebrations.

After the match, Mohammedan Sporting Head Coach Yan Law said, “Every team is here to compete. It was a tough match and we missed our chances — missed a penalty and hit the woodwork twice. Luckily, at the last minute, we scored a goal and hopefully, we will take this forward and pick up more points in the upcoming matches.”