New Delhi, February 21: Punjab FC will aim to return to winning ways as they host East Bengal FC in a crucial Indian Super League clash which will be played tomorrow here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The Shers, currently ninth in the table with 24 points from 20 matches, will face an East Bengal side positioned 11th with 21 points from the same number of games. A victory for Punjab FC would propel them to eighth place, keeping their playoff ambitions alive. The match is set to kick off at 5:00 PM.
Punjab FC come into this fixture after a narrow 1-2 defeat against Chennaiyin FC, where a late goal cost them valuable three points. Despite creating multiple chances, the Shers were unable to convert them into goals in the away fixture and will be eager to respond with a strong performance at home. The reverse fixture against East Bengal earlier this season ended in a 2-4 defeat for the Shers at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, despite leading 2-0 at half time through goals from Asmir Suljic and Ezequiel Vidal. This time, Punjab FC will aim to turn the tables and claim all three points in front of the home crowd.
Speaking ahead of the match, Punjab FC Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis said, “We have four matches left, which are going to decide our season and the focus is the match against East Bengal tomorrow. We will have to forget what happened in the previous matches, the mistakes we have made and the chances we could convert and concentrate on what we have to do tomorrow to get the maximum points. East Bengal are a good side with a good coach and some very good players and it is going to be an important game for both team, but more for us.”
Punjab FC will receive a significant boost with the return of Ivan Novoselec and Suresh Meitei, who were suspended for the last match. Their presence will strengthen a backline that has struggled in recent games. Luka Majcen, the team’s leading goal scorer with eight goals, remains a vital figure in the attack, supported by Ezequiel Vidal, who has five goals and three assists this season, along with Asmir Suljic, Petros Giakoumakis, and Filip Mrzljak.
Speaking ahead of the match, Punjab FC striker Petros Giakoumakis said, “We had some unfortunate results this season due to which we could not reach where we should have been in the table. We will have to keep all that behind us and make sure we perform to our best capabililities and get all three points. I have enjoyed myself in India and the play style here suits to how I like to play my football.”
For East Bengal, this match is a chance to continue their momentum after a 3-1 victory over Mohammedan SC in the Kolkata Derby, with goals from Mahesh Singh Naorem, Saul Crespo, and David Lalhlansanga. However, they will be without several key players, including forwards Nandhakumar Sekar, Cleiton Silva and Richard Celis, due to injuries. Despite these absences, East Bengal will rely on Saul Crespo, new signing Raphael Messi Bouli, Mahesh Singh and David Lalhlansanga to cause problems for the Punjab defense.
With the playoff race intensifying, three points are vital for both sides, more for Punjab FC. The Shers will seek redemption for their previous loss and want to capitalize on their opponent’s depleted squad, while the visitors will be determined to defy the odds and stay in the fight.
“We will try to get maximum points from our remaining matches but the scenario of qualifying for the playoffs is not entirely in our hands. We have to depend on the results of the other matches also”, Dilmperis said while asked about the team’s chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
This fixture marks one of Punjab FC’s final two home games, making it a crucial opportunity to climb the table. A victory would not only strengthen their position but also provide a much-needed confidence boost as they approach the final stretch of the season.
