INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE
New Delhi, Jan 28: Jamshedpur FC edged past Punjab FC by 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season on Tuesday. The Men of Steel are now placed third in the standings, with 31 points from 17 games courtesy of 10 wins and a draw – trailing the second-placed FC Goa (33) by just two points.
Jamshedpur FC broke the deadlock through Pratik Chaudhuri’s header in the 41st minute and later Javi Hernandez doubled the lead early in the second half. Punjab FC tried their level best to salvage something from the game but Ezequiel Vidal’s goal remained only as a consolation. With this defeat, Punjab FC are now winless in seven consecutive games this season (2D, L5).
The hosts started the game proactively as they pegged back Jamshedpur FC’s backline with a flurry of attacks. Meanwhile the visitors were looking for opportunities to break on the counter-attacks. Courtesy of Punjab FC’s sustained pressure, the first chance of the game fell to Luka Majcen in the eighth minute. The move was started by Asmir Suljic before he released Muhammad Suhail on the right flank. The youngster found Majcen with a telling cross but his eventual attempt was saved by Albino Gomes.In the meantime, Jamshedpur FC also made a few inroads involving Javier Siverio and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) graduate Mohammed Sanan. The Men of Steel were heavily dependant on their left channel, and despite some trouble Punjab FC’s defence did enough to keep them at bay.
NEUFC take on Hyderabad FC
NorthEast United FC will host Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, here on Wednesday with one eye on cementing their position in the top-six in the points table.
NorthEast United FC are currently sixth in the points table, with 25 points from 17 matches, having won six games and drawn seven. Hyderabad FC, on the other hand, are placed at the penultimate spot with 13 points from 17 matches, with three wins and four draws. The Highlanders are facing stiff competition from Odisha FC (24), Kerala Blasters FC (21), and Punjab FC (20), who follow them respectively in the standings.
The Highlanders are looking to register consecutive wins over Hyderabad FC for the first time in ISL history, having beaten them 5-2 in the reverse fixture earlier this season. A triumph in this encounter would also mark NorthEast United FC’s first league double over Hyderabad FC. (Agencies)