Kerala Blasters FC – 1 (Jimenez 90’+2)
Punjab FC – 2 (Majcen 86 (p), Mrzljak 90’+5)
Kochi, September 15: Filip Mrzljak’s 95th minute goal ensured Punjab FC (PFC) stun Kerala Blasters again at Kochi as the Shers walked away with a 2-1 victory and start the 2024-24 Indian Super League Season with a brilliant win here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Slovenian striker Luka Majcen continued his goal scoring prowess, converting a penalty in the 86th minute to give the away side the lead. New signing Jesus Jimenez levelled the scores, two minutes into injury time but it was Filip Mrzljak who found the winner deep into injury time.
Punjab FC Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis lined up his team in a 4-3-3 formation while Mikael Stahre used the 4-2-3-1 formation for their first game of the season. Mushaga Bakenga led the attack line supported by Ezequiel Vidal and Nihal Sudeesh in the wings. Nikhil Prabhu, Vinit Rai and Filip Mrzljak formed the three man midfield. Ivan Novoselec and Suresh Meitei started as the center backs with Tekcham Abhishek Singh and Khaimingthang Lhungdim as the wing backs while Ravi Kumar started in goal. On the other end, Kerala Blasters missed the services of Adrian Luna and in his absence Noah Sadaoui and Kwame Peprah along with Rahul K.P and Mohammed Aimen led the attack line.
Punjab FC were the most lively in the first half but the match was mostly played in the center of the field as both teams struggled to control the possession of the ball for long periods of time. Nihal Sudeesh, playing against his parent club was lively through the left wing, but his final passes could not find any PFC players inside the box. The Shers had more involvement in the opposite box but failed to make Sachin Suresh work in goal for all that attacking prowess. Filip Mrzljak had the best chance in the half to score but the Croatian mistimed his header sending it over the crossbar.
At the other end, the home side were unable to create any clear cut chances as the Punjab defence won the ball high up the pitch to deny any attacks. Suresh Meitei and Ivan Novoselec were also sturdy in the middle of defence, being present at the right place at the right time to thwart Noah, Rahul K.P and Peprah.
Stahre introduced Vibin Mohanan and Jesus Jimenez at the start of the second half which changed the complexion of the game as the home side started to control the game with Vibin controlling the center of midfield. Noah tested Ravi Kumar with a belter of a shot, but the PFC goalkeeper parried the ball away to safety.
The game came into life in the final stages as three goals were scored in the final ten minutes. Leon Augustine was pulled down by Mohammed Saheef inside the box and the resultant penalty was calmly converted by Luka Majcen. As the match moved into the injury time, Pritam Kotal whipped in a cross from the right wing to find substitute Jesus Jimenez who planted a strong header past Ravi Kumar.
Punjab FC delivered a bolt from the blue in the final minute of injury time as Filip Mrzljak found the winner stunning the home fans. Luka Majcen delicately diverted a looping ball into the path of the rushing Filip and the Croatian finished brilliantly past the defender and the rushing goalkeeper Sachin Suresh, to ensure that The Shers came away with the victory for the second time in a row in Kochi. Nihal Sudeesh was adjudged as Man of the Match for his brilliant display down the wings.
