Raphael Messi Bouli made an impressive entry into Punjab FC of the Indian Super League by netting twice as his team managed to defeat Odisha FC 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in a competitive game played on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old striker, who signed for Punjab on a free transfer after featuring for Jamshedpur FC last season, scored in the first and last minutes of the match.
Right from the first second, Punjab opened the scoring as Bouli converted a move put together perfectly. Muhammad Uvais delivered a great cross from the left flank, threading the ball through and creating space between two defenders. Bouli took care of business by tapping in the ball inside the net.
Punjab created other chances in the early stages of the encounter but as the game proceeded, Odisha gradually began finding their feet on the pitch and managed to level matters in the 15th minute of the game. With the hosts winning a corner in the attacking third of the pitch, Lalthathanga Khawlhring swung a wonderful cross into the box, which was converted by the unmarked Thoiba Singh Moirangthem.
Punjab FC was looking more dangerous after the halftime break, and almost scored in the 56th minute of the game. Muhammad Suhail was able to play a good move and cross in with the outside of his right boot on the left flank. The ball fell at the feet of Alfred Moya, and he shot over the bar.
In the last moments of the match, which looked as if it might end in a draw, Bouli proved his worth and scored a goal from a cross by the substitute player Bishu Sharma on the right side of the field.
Scores:
Punjab FC 2 (Raphael Messi Bouli 1′, 90+5′) won against Odisha FC 1 (Thoiba Singh Moirangthem 15′).