Both sides played counter-attacking style football but were not clinical enough in front of goal. EBFC were more dominant in the later stages of the game but Punjab FC held its ground and defended well to keep it goalless.

Punjab FC and East Bengal settle for a draw in a tightly contested match. ⚽🔥#ebfcpfc Match Report | https://t.co/sruZKCWrqV
.
.
.#ISL10 #indiansuperleague #indianfootball #punjabfc #eastbengal #eastbengalfc #kolkata #football #india #eastbengalultras pic.twitter.com/LvNHGsiYB4

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) December 9, 2023

Six minutes of stoppage time.

EBFC now controls the game but Punjab are doing their best to keep the scoreline level.

Cleiton Silva shoots the ball but is blocked by Suresh. The ball lands back into Cleiton's feet who strikes the ball again and is yet again blocked by Suresh. Brilliant defending from the Punjab FC defender.

Vishnu beat a couple of defenders inside the box and had an empty goal in front of him, but hit the ball wide. The biggest chance of the game and East Bengal have wasted the opportunity. 

Siverio replaces Saul.

East Bengal have dominated the possession but Punjab have played brilliantly off the ball and made some good opportunities for themselves.

Juan Mera finds the ball on the left completely unmarked and tries to find Daniel but is caught offside.

Rakip gets the ball at the edge of the box on the right but the winger takes too much time and ultimately the ball goes away for a corner.

Madih Talal and Daniel Lalhlimpuia come in to replace Luka Majcen and Krishnananda Singh.

Juan Mera plays a beautiful cross from the right to Krishna who heads the ball powerfully straight towards the keeper. The score remains 0-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Nikhil Prabhu's long shot goes way over the bar for a goal-kick. 

East Bengal plays the corner into the dangerous area toward the near-post as Cleiton Silva heads it, but it goes over the cross-bar.

The ref blows the whistle and the second begins.

The score is level in the first 45 with both sides creating plenty of opportunities. East Bengal started off brilliantly, dominating the possession and controlling the tempo of the game but Punjab got back into the game and created some great chances.

HALF-TIME!
It's still goalless at the VYBK as we move into the break!#EBFCPFC #PunjabDaJosh #PFC pic.twitter.com/m0t7Nq2DSE

— Punjab FC (@RGPunjabFC) December 9, 2023

Krishna finds Lhungdim in the box but the keeper touches it and pushes it away.

Nikhil Prabhu gets a yellow as he hits Saul in the face accidentally with his arm.

Juan Mera cuts in the from right and curls the ball in from the edge of the- box. The ball beats the keeper and hits the woodwork.

Borja almost finds Cleiton Silva's in-behind run but is intercepted by Chatazisaias.

Lhungdim dribbles into the box and cuts inside to take a shot but the shot is blocked and out for a corner.

Mera plays to Luca who passes it ahead to Lhungdim deep in East Bengal's half but the cross is cleared away by the back line.

Punjab breaks into a counterattack as Krishna finds the ball near the box but his cross is blocked away for a corner.

Cleiton Silva claims to be brought down in the box during a corner but no penalty given.

Nishu, Mahesh, and Silva form a great chance from the right but Cleiton Silva's shot is blocked.

Cleiton and Mahesh play a quick one-two around Punjab's box but nothing comes out of the play.

Punjab is slowly growing into the game.

East Bengal have started just like they did in the NorthEast game.

East Bengal kicks off and gets a free kick right away.

Nothing comes out of the free kick as the ball goes out of play for a goal kick.

The players are coming out of the tunnel.

Nothing can match the joy of playing in front of you all! ❤️💛

WE LOVE YOU, #AmagoFans! 🫂#EBFCPFC #JoyEastBengal #EastBengalFC #ISL10 #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/j4ZkL9oxxx

— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) December 9, 2023

East Bengal:

• Prabhsukhan Gill

• Hijazi Maher

• Lalchungnunga

• Mandar Dessai

• Nishu Kumar

• Saul Crespo

• Borja Herrera

• Souvik Chakraborty

• Cleiton Silva

• Naorem Mahesh Singh

• Nandha Kumar Sekar

We have 2️⃣ changes in today's starting lineup for #EBFCPFC as Nishu & Nandha come in for Khabra & Vishnu. ⤵️#JoyEastBengal #EastBengalFC #ISL10 #LetsFootball @batery_ai pic.twitter.com/4QIuzAE1qK

— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) December 9, 2023

Punjab FC:

• Kiran Chemjong Limbu

• Dimitrios Chatziisaias

• Nongmeikapam Suresh Meitei

• Nitesh Darjee

• Khaiminthang Lhungdim

• Nikhil Prabhu

• Ashish Pradhan

• Khungdongbam Krishananda Singh

• Tekcham Singh

• Luka Majcen

• Juan Mera

📋LINEUP

The Gaffer makes three changes for #EBFCPFC as Kiran, Krishnananda comes back into the starting XI and Abhishek is handed his full ISL debut 😍#PunjabDaJosh #PFC pic.twitter.com/SX3EWzQnHt

— Punjab FC (@RGPunjabFC) December 9, 2023

• Date: 9th December, 2023 (Saturday)

• Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata

• Time: 8:00 pm (IST)

• Live Streaming: Sports18 1, Sports18 1 HD, VH1 and VH1 HD, and Jio Cinema

Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata will host the East Bengal vs Punjab FC game in the ISL 2023/24 season. East Bengal are flying high after their 5-0 victory against NorthEast United. Consistency is key if the Red & Gold Brigade aims to move up the table. They have to use that momentum to give a brilliant performance against Punjab.

A win is necessary for East Bengal to build on a winning run during this period. A draw could be a disappointing result that holds them back from getting into the playoffs spot, while a loss will spoil everything they tried to make up with that NorthEast United win.

The first international game in Shillong gifts India a statement 3-0 victory over Maldives. The Blue Tigers have secured a win after 489 days, bringing the first victory under Manolo Marquez as well!

A dominant display from India put three past the Red Snappers. Rahul Bheke, Liston Colaco, and Sunil Chhetri all scored headers to hand India a confident victory!

India will go on to play against Bangladesh in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers on March 25th.

Dominant display in Shillong! 💥 😍

Bheke, Liston & Chhetri on the scoresheet as the #BlueTigers roar to victory! 🇮🇳⚽ #IndianFootball #BackTheBlue #Bheke #Liston #Chhetri #Footballindia #score pic.twitter.com/Cn8snJSjJ1

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) March 19, 2025

Three headers get the job done for India in Shillong! 🇮🇳💙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ZiD5VuJWub

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Apuia sliced a quick long-ranger from a distance, that went just inches off the left post.

Irfan Yadwad sent the ball into the net despite being flagged for offside. He received an instant yellow for delaying.

Maldives skipper Samooh Ali gets a booking for a frustrated foul on Farukh.

In: Usaama

Out: Sifaau

In: Raif, Nisham

Out: Madudhee, Aiham

In: Abhi Meitei, Irfan Yadwad, Ashique Kuruniyan

Out: Sunil Chhetri, Liston Colaco, Subhashish Bose

Rahul Bheke and Subhashish Bose made two consecutive blocks to keep the defence intact.

Just like he never left!

Mahesh's cross from the right was missed to be anticipated by Farukh. However, Liston anticipated in on the left and sailed a cross into the box, and Sunil Chhetri headed it behind as te ball easily found the back of the net!

95th International goal for the Indian skipper!

95TH GOAL FOR SUNIL CHHETRI 🔥🔥🔥

🇮🇳 INDIA 3-0 MALDIVES 🇲🇻

India is totally dominating the Gameplay 💪
pic.twitter.com/BYa69h1Cbl

— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) March 19, 2025

Hassan Nazeem had a first-time effort from close to the goal, but Vishal made a routine collection.

In: Hassan Nazeem, Naiz Hassan, Hussain Nihaan

Out: Hamza Ahmad, Ali Fazir, Mohamed Naim

Aiham Ahmad gets a yellow for a foul.

All the efforts have finally paid off for Liston Colaco!

Mahesh curled the corner right into the middle of the box as Liston jumped above the Maldives' defence and powered the header into the net!

India doubles up the lead!

That was a brilliant minus from the left by Farukh on the right, as Liston's first-time strike was marvelously denied by Shareef!

Naorem Mahesh took a quick strike from just the front of the box, but the ball went over the crosspiece.

In: Boris Singh, Apuia

Out: Suresh Wangjam, Valpuia

Farukh combined up with Chhetri before attempting to cut back a pass to the captain, instead of taking a shot at goal. The Maldives' defence closed him down, resulting in a crucial clearance.

Fasil played it to Ahmad Aiham whose flick failed to approach any power and went off the target.

In a similar way to the previous attack, Farukh had another opportunity from the corner of the penalty area but he overpowered his strike that soared over the bar.

Farukh had acres of space in front of him while running toward the goal from the left flank, but slipped down inside the box before having a strike.

Sunil Chhetri got a hold of the ball following Mahesh's corner, but Hamza Mohammed stretched his leg out on the bottom right corner to put up a brilliant goal-line block, denying Chhetri's efforts!

The second half is underway! ▶️
Let's go for more, India! 🙌

🇮🇳 1-0 🇲🇻

📺 @JioHotstar & @StarSportsIndia 3#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/H1eI4Dc49x

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Liston delivered another curler crossed in from the left, but no one at the other end to anticipate, leading the ball to roll away.

Sunil and Mahesh combined up in front of the box, as Valpuia got the ball on the right and whipped in a swift cross. Farukh got his head at the end of the cross but his header from an open space went totally off target, soaring past the left post.

This does not look very good for Manolo Marquez's team as Brandon was stretchered off the pitch around the 40th minute. 

Another injury blow for India.

In: Farukh Chaudhary

Out: Brandon Fernandes

Sifaau is booked for a tough foul on Liston.

There is an injury concern regarding Brandon Fernandes as he looks to have sustained an apparent injury.

The Indian midfielder is receiving medical attention.

Here comes the much-coveted goal for the Blue Tigers!

Another brilliant cross from the left corner, delivered by Brandon, and Rahul Bheke jumped above all in the middle of the six-yard-box and powered the header right into the net!

India takes the lead!

Brandon whizzed in a cross from the corner, but Mehtab Singh's header failed to find the net as the ball went over the crossbar.

Ali Fazir almost anticipated the cross inside the box but an important touch from Bheke inside the box cleared the danger away. After a string of passes, Ibrahim unleashed a powerful strike from a distance that soared over the crosspiece.

Suresh delivered a long ball over the top for Chhetri. The Indian skipper chased it into the penalty area but Maldives captain Samooh calmly cleared the ball away.

Liston Colaco whipped in another direct free-kick from around 25 yards out of goal, but his curling effort sailed inches past the right post!

Three golden opportunities from three set-pieces so far, but no goals from the Indian side!

Liston's right-footed curler whipped inside from the left flank but was too high to find Mahesh on the right end.

🇮🇳💙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/ClS9HvGFgC

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Suresh whipped in a low cross that sailed past the players and found Brandon on the edge of the box, but his half-volleyed strike did not have much power and bounced off the pitch and went past the right-post.

Liston Colaco put up a glimpse of his dribbling skills as he squeezed past Sifaau inside the box and slotted a grounder from the left, but a slight interception from Numan cleared the danger away!

Another set-piece free-kick is delivered into the box by Brandon from a tough corner on the left, as Rahul Bheke flicked it to the top-left corner but missed the target by inches! Another opportunity goes begging for India!

Suresh attempts to play the ball down the right wing, but no one has made a run, and the ball rolls out for a goal kick.

Hamza Mohammed and Ibrahim combined up in a speedy counter-attack as Hamza curled a right-footed strike just from in front of the 18-yard box, but Rahul Bheke stood tall in blocking the strike.

Suresh Wangjam cut through the middle corridor with the ball, but Numan's soft tackle dispossessed him off the ball.

Sunil Chhetri fired into the box from the left as he delivered a low cross that was headed back toward Shareef by Samooh. The Maldives custodian slipped the ball, as Naorem had an opportunity from a close range, but a well-timed tackle from Sifaau denied the Indian forward.

The match is underway in Shillong!

IT'S KICK-OFF! ▶️
The Indian men's team's first-ever match in Meghalaya is underway! 💙

🇮🇳 0-0 🇲🇻

📺 @JioHotstar & @StarSportsIndia 3#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/lFehCSqmO3

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Inching towards kick-off! 🔜#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/tRTl16BKGk

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

✅ Checked in at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 🏟️🙌#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/g3EgGbeIRV

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Starting XI: Hussain Shareef (GK); Samooh Ali (C), Ahmed Numan, Hussain Yoosuf, Haisham Hassan; Ahmed Aiham, Aisam Ibrahim, Ibrahim Hussain, Mohammed Naim; Hamza Mohamed, Ali Fasir

Subs: Naiz, Irufaan, Raif, Nazeem, Aleem, Shifaz, Majeedh, Nizam, Madudhee, Nihan, Rizuvan, Rasheed, Yameen

Head Coach: Ali Suzain

Starting XI: Vishal Kaith (GK); Subhashish Bose, Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Valpuia; Ayush Chhetri, Suresh Wangjam; Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh; Sunil Chhetri (C)

Subs: Gurmeet, Amrinder, Chinglensana, Sandesh, Farukh, Roshan, Jeakson, Apuia, Yadwad, Boris, Ashique, Abhishek

Head Coach: Manolo Marquez

Manolo Márquez names his India XI 🇮🇳 as Sunil Chhetri takes the ©️ armband. Once again. 🤩

Cap number 152. 💙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/HqH31mV9m4

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

𝗔 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧-𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 #𝗕𝗟𝗨𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚! 🐯

🇮🇳 India take on Maldives 🇲🇻 in the FIFA International Friendly at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 🏟️

🕖 19:00 IST
📺 @JioHotstar & @StarSportsIndia 3#INDMDV #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3PxZVEvSCk

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Maldives head coach Ali Suzain and India head coach Manolo Marquez in the pre-match press conference.

India and Maldives 🇮🇳🇲🇻 will face each other for the 19th time since their first meeting in 1987 🔙#INDMDV #BlueTigers 🐯 #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/0UieprBWtl

— Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) March 19, 2025

Indian football fans can watch the India vs Maldives friendly match streamed live on Star Sports Network. The match will also be streamed live on the JioHotstar App and the JioHotstar website.  

Match: India vs Maldives - FIFA International Friendly

Date: 19 March 2025  

Time: 7:00 PM IST  

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, (Polo Ground), Shillong