Anil Datt Ludhiana, December 7 It was the match in the ongoing Hero I-League between Punjab Football Club (FC) and Quess East Bengal played at Guru Nanak Stadium today but the euphoria was just like that of a sports carnival. Much to the delight and satisfaction of the organisers of this league, a good number of soccer fans turned up to encourage their respective teams during the first home match for Punjab FC. Whereas, spectators from Mohali, the headquarters of the Punjab Football Club (formerly known as Minerva Academy) were in attendance to watch their home side in action, and a sizeable number of people turned up to encourage the football powerhouse, East Bengal outfit. They enjoyed every bit of action taking place in the middle of the ground. Spectators were carrying whistles, drums and were vociferous enough whenever the players representing their favourite teams enter the rivals’ territory. Sports fans of the East Bengal team too were vocal as they left no chance to counter the home side’s fans and it appeared that a contest was going on between groups of spectators also. It turned out to be a nerves wrecking contest which ended in a 1-1 draw. After wasting a couple of scoring chances, the Punjab FC went into the lead in the 12th minute of the first half when mid-fielder, Danilo Augusto Azevedo of Brazil put his side ahead. They managed to hang onto the lead till the 80th minute before, Juan Mera Pascual of Spain finding the target to level the score. Players of the Punjab FC were applauded by a large number of spectators who were carrying dhol whereas another section of fans appreciated East Bengal team for its stupendous performance to force a draw towards the end of the game. The next match, here will be played between Punjab FC and Chennai City FC on December 10.

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