ISL: Majcen nets brace as Punjab come from behind to beat Chennaiyin

Luka Majcen of Roundglass Punjab FC in motion.
| Photograph Credit score: Punjab FC

A commanding second-half efficiency helped Punjab FC come from behind and win 3-2 towards Chennaiyin FC within the Indian Tremendous League (ISL) conflict on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium right here on Thursday (October 31, 2024). Whilst firecrackers went off within the neighborhood on Deepavali evening, Punjab FC produced its personal fireworks on the sphere, making the most of a susceptible Chennaiyin defence for 3 second-half objectives. Luka Majcen, donning a masks after fracturing his jaw in its opening recreation versus Kerala Blasters, scored twice in three minutes whereas Asmir Suljic put the outcome past doubt with a 3rd aim within the seventieth minute. Jordan Gil’s two objectives for Chennaiyin have been in useless.  

Although the begin to the sport was scrappy, Punjab did have the higher of the opening exchanges. Within the eleventh minute, Punjab’s Filip Mrzljak broke into the 18-yard field on the correct aspect after a cross from Norberto Vidal, however the Croatian couldn’t discover a teammate in orange to make extra of the chance.

Within the twenty ninth minute, one other assault for Punjab emanated from the correct flank. Khaiminthang Lhungdim, a right-back from Manipur, did properly to get to the byline earlier than sending in a cross that was rebounded by Chennaiyin goalkeeper Samik Mitra onto the trail of Vidal. The Argentine, nonetheless, couldn’t get a candy sufficient connection to search out the web.

Including to Punjab’s frustration, Chennaiyin broke the impasse only a minute later. It was all because of the imaginative and prescient of Lukas Brambilla, sending Gil by on aim with a defence-splitting cross that rendered Punjab’s centre-backs helpless. Gil, who had scored within the earlier two matches, made no mistake together with his left-footed strike. The celebration wasn’t as emphatic because the end in acknowledgement of the Colombian’s earlier affiliation with Punjab.

On the stroke of the half-time interval, Punjab had an opportunity to go degree. It was all the way down to a wonderful cross from Mrzljak that managed to pick Majcen. The Slovenian ahead was in a position to management the ball together with his first contact, however his subsequent left-footed shot hit the aspect netting.

If Punjab coach Panagiotis Dilmperis did ship stern phrases to his gamers throughout the break, it labored nearly instantly. It was once more Mrzljak who turned supplier by slipping the ball by to Majcen within the center. The Punjab ahead timed his run to perfection and completed calmly together with his proper foot.

Simply two minutes later, Majcen added to his tally. This time, the help went to Lhungdim, who ran onto a ball contained in the field on the correct to search out Majcen. From six yards out, Majcen wasn’t going to overlook.

Substitutes Suljic and Mushaga Bakenga teamed up for Punjab’s third aim of the evening.

The outcome: Punjab FC 3 (Luka Majcen 46, 48, Asmir Suljic 70) beat Chennaiyin 2 (Jordan Gil 30, 90+9)