Phoenix 2-4 Punjab

Sloppy Phoenix fall to another home defeat.

Phoenix players pre-match

Phoenix Sports fell to a frustrating 4–2 defeat to Punjab United after a series of costly defensive errors left them with too much work to do at the Christopher Russell Stadium on Saturday.

The game began at a frantic pace, with both sides looking dangerous in the early exchanges.

In the fifth minute, debutant Phoenix keeper Lee Kidman was called into action, palming over a fierce strike from Anthony Adesite. From the resulting corner, Punjab had the ball in the net, but celebrations were cut short as the referee ruled it out for a handball.

Phoenix soon grew into the game and came close in the eighth minute when Tom Mitcham and Jamarie Brissett combined superbly, only for a last-ditch Punjab tackle to deny what looked a certain goal.

After another strong save from Kidman on 33 minutes, Phoenix took the lead with a well-taken goal. On 36 minutes, a slick move down the left involving Jerald Aboagye, Brissett, and Will Efambe ended with Paul Lee sweeping home from close range to make it 1–0.

However, Punjab struck back just six minutes later. A misplaced pass in midfield from Harry Barnes was punished, as Will Johnson Cole capitalised and fired past Kidman to level the scores. Punjab then came inches from taking the lead on the stroke of half-time, when a looping header from a corner struck the bar.

Phoenix came out with renewed energy after the break and were rewarded on 50 minutes with a moment of individual brilliance from Jamarie Brissett. After Barnes won the ball in midfield, Brissett picked it up inside his own half, glided past two defenders, and rifled home a stunning strike to restore Phoenix’s advantage at 2–1.

But the visitors refused to go away. Ahkeem Belford produced a heroic block on 70 minutes to preserve the lead, but Punjab drew level again four minutes later when another loose ball on the edge of the box allowed Johnson Cole to grab his second of the afternoon.

Punjab then turned the game around completely in the 84th minute. A long throw was flicked on and met by Ethan Okechukwu, whose looping header found the net to make it 3–2.

In stoppage time, Phoenix’s misery was complete when a misjudged clearance from Jensen Grant allowed Johnson Cole to pounce again and complete his hat-trick, sealing a 4–2 win for the visitors.

Phoenix will be left ruing what might have been after three defensive lapses meant despite leading the game twice, Jake Goodman’s side left DA7 with nothing to show for their efforts.