ISL | Punjab breaks jinx, pips Odisha 2-1

Objective scorers Nihal Sudeesh and Leon Augustine of Punjab FC pose for an image after the win towards Odisha FC.
| Photograph Credit score: particular association

Punjab FC lastly broke the jinx, registering a 2-1 victory for its first ever win towards Odisha FC within the Indian Tremendous League right here on Friday in a recreation that had each groups not simply get their possibilities but in addition squander them, the much less erratic one strolling away with three factors.

With its second win in as many video games, Punjab is now collectively on high of the desk with Bengaluru FC on six factors.

Whereas Odisha began strongly, Punjab — enjoying its house video games on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium right here for the season — regularly grew into the sport, taking management led by Croat Filip Mrzljak who was within the thick of issues within the center, helping in a single objective and establishing at the least two extra possibilities that sadly went waste.

Roy Krishna, enjoying his one centesimal ISL match, had the primary probability for Odisha however thereafter within the first half, Punjab didn’t cede a lot house.

Punjab went forward within the twenty eighth minute, Nihal Sudheesh fed by a nimble Mrzljak again kick on the left and slamming in to the far publish.

Publish break, Sudheesh despatched the ball from the left facet line and Mrzljak put Mushaga Bakenga via however the Norwegian despatched it vast within the forty eighth minute. Abhishek Singh then discovered goalkeeper Amrinder Singh regardless of beating a clueless defence.

Punjab misplaced one more probability to double the lead when Asmir Suljic acquired the ball after a defensive blunder from Mourtada Fall however, with solely goalkeeper Amrinder Singh to beat, shot straight to him within the 78th minute.

Amrinder, the truth is, was instrumental in maintaining Odisha within the recreation for lengthy intervals, making a number of saves.

He was lastly crushed when Ricky Shabong’s help discovered Leon Augustine whose proper footer from an acute angle on the correct went in on the far publish within the 89th minute.

It appeared like Punjab goalkeeper Ravi Kumar would preserve one more clear sheet however Hugo Boumous hit the upright with the ball brushing previous Ravi’s head six minutes into further time.

The outcome: Punjab FC 2 (Nihal Sudheesh 28, Leon Augustine 89) bt Odisha FC 1 (Ravi Kumar 90+6 – og).