New Delhi [India], September 20 (ANI): In a riveting contest at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Punjab FC clinched their second consecutive victory in the Indian Super League with a 2-1 triumph over Odisha FC, thanks to crucial strikes from Nihal Sudheesh and Leon Augustine.

This win propelled Punjab FC to second place on the league table, accumulating six points. Conversely, Odisha FC endured their second defeat of the season, putting them in a challenging position early in the campaign.

For his inaugural home match, Punjab FC Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis opted for an unchanged lineup, showcasing a formidable attack led by Mushaga Bakenga, Ezequiel Vidal, and Nihal Sudheesh. Supporting them in midfield were Nikhil Prabhu, Filip Mrzljak, and Vinit Rai. Odisha FC’s manager, Sergio Lobera, chose to bench Ahmed Jahouh, fielding his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Diego Mauricio, Roy Krishna, and Hugo Boumous spearheading the attack.

In the early minutes, Norwegian striker Mushaga Bakenga tested Odisha’s goalkeeper Amrinder Singh with a powerful attempt that narrowly missed the target. Dominating the first half, Punjab FC controlled the midfield and deservedly broke the deadlock in the 27th minute. Nihal Sudheesh showcased his skill with a superb one-two combination with Filip Mrzljak, followed by an exquisite finish into the far corner beyond the reach of a diving Amrinder Singh. Despite opportunities to extend their lead, including a golden chance for Bakenga thwarted by an extra touch that allowed a defender to block his shot, Punjab maintained their advantage.

Odisha FC made several strategic substitutions in the second half, with Sergio Lobera introducing midfield maestro Ahmed Jahouh along with Rahim Ali and Jerry Mawihngthanga. This tactical shift brought momentum to Odisha, but Punjab FC remained resilient, absorbing the pressure effectively. Goalkeeper Ravi Kumar was never severely tested, as Punjab focused on counterattacks. Despite lively counterattacks, chances went begging for Bakenga and substitute Asmir Suljic, who missed clear opportunities to score, while Nihal Sudheesh’s effort struck the post.

The defensive quartet of Khaimingthang Lhungdim, Abhishek Singh, Ivan Novoselec, and Suresh Meitei delivered an outstanding performance, thwarting Odisha’s strikers throughout the match. The Shers sealed their victory in the 89th minute when Leon Augustine expertly finished a well-executed layoff by Ricky Shabong. Although Hugo Boumous managed to reduce the deficit in injury time, it was insufficient to alter the outcome as Punjab FC secured their second straight win.

This clinical performance by Punjab FC highlighted their tactical prowess and solidified their position as strong contenders in the league.