New Delhi, Monday, March 09: Punjab FC fought back in the second half through Nigerian striker Nsungusi Jr. Effiong to secure a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season at the Jawahar Lal Nehru (JLN) Stadium on Monday. Parthib Gogoi had handed the visitors the lead just after the hour mark, but Effiong responded within three minutes to ensure the Shers shared the spoils at home.
The result saw Punjab FC move up one place to eighth in the standings with four points from three matches, while NorthEast United FC remained 10th with three points from four outings.
Punjab head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis retained the same starting eleven that secured the club’s first win of the season against Bengaluru FC in the previous match, while NorthEast United head coach Juan Pedro Ben Ali made one change from their 1-1 draw against Mumbai City FC, bringing Macarton Nickson into midfield.
NorthEast United started brightly and created the first opportunities of the game. Spanish centre-back Míchel Zabaco came close from a set-piece after Lalrinzuala delivered a precise cross from the left flank, but the defender failed to hit the target.
Moments later, winger Jithin MS also found space to attempt an effort over the goalkeeper, but his attempt drifted wide.
Punjab gradually grew into the contest, with Spanish midfielder Daniel Ramírez coming close with a free header before Effiong registered the Shers’ first shot on target.
Dilmperis was forced into a double substitution around the half-hour mark after Nikhil Prabhu picked up an injury. One of the substitutes, Suhail, immediately made an impact and created a couple of opportunities, including one for himself late in the half.
NorthEast United, however, had the final big chance before the break as Parthib Gogoi found space in the box, but the deadlock remained intact heading into halftime.
The second half began with a scrappy phase of play, which saw three quick bookings before the opening goal arrived. Parthib capitalised on a loose ball after Lalrinzuala was surrounded by defenders, controlling the ball well before driving forward and calmly finishing past Arshdeep Singh to give the visitors the lead in the 60th minute.
Punjab responded almost immediately. Suhail, who had been lively down the left flank since coming on, beat Redeem Talang before cutting the ball back into the area. Effiong reacted quickest to guide the ball home on the turn in the 63rd minute, scoring his third goal of the ISL season and his third in two matches.
Punjab pushed for a winner in the closing stages and thought they had found it when Samir Zeljković slotted the ball into the net after coming on as a replacement for the injured Prabhu. However, the effort was ruled out for offside as both sides eventually settled for a point each.
