NEW DELHI: Punjab FC beat Odisha FC 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday, September 20, 2024,  to clinch their second successive win in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25, and are now unbeaten in their last eight games.

A 27th minute strike by the 23-year-old Nihal Sudeesh, who was later adjudged the Key Performer of the Match, and a late goal by Leon Augustine proved sufficient to grab the home side, who played the same starting eleven last week, the three points as the Juggernauts have a lot of work to do to get through the back-to-back defeats this season.

Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis was a relieved man as his side took an early lead this time in the contest. It started with Ezequiel Vidal storming ahead on the left flank before chipping in a pass for Filip Mrzljak inside the box. The latter showed great awareness to back-heel the ball in the path of Nihal, who dropped a shoulder, got past Odisha FC full-back Amey Ranawade, and sent the ball into the back of the net on the far-right corner.

The decisive blow was landed by Leon in the 89th minute though, with Ricky Shabong’s piercing through ball slicing past the defensive line to meet the ex-Bengaluru FC player in his path. Leon, 25, did well to deposit the ball into the bottom left corner from the centre of the box to give Punjab FC a 2-0 cushion with just minutes of regulation time left.

It proved crucial when OFC’s Ranawade and attacking midfielder Hugo Boumous asserted pressure on the home side’s defence late into the added time of the second half. Boumous’ brave shot from outside of the box deflected off goalkeeper Ravi Kumar, resulting in an own goal and giving OFC a goal, which was too late to mount a comeback.  

(Courtesy: ISL Media Team)