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ISL 2024-25 Punjab FC vs Odisha FC: Punjab FC make it 2-in-2; beat Odisha FC by 2-1

Punjab FC won their second match in the Indian Super League 2024-'25 by beating Odisha FC by 2-1. Punjab ensured their second win consecutively, whereas Odisha FC lost two matches in a row.

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Soumit Bhattacharya
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ISL 2024-25 Punjab FC vs Odisha FC: Punjab FC make it 2-in-2; beat Odisha FC by 2-1 - sportzpoint.com
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After a thrilling victory against Kerala Blasters in their opening match, Punjab FC secures their second win in the 2024-25 Indian Super League by beating Odisha FC 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Goals from Nihal Sudeesh and Leon Augustine sealed their win over Odisha FC. Odisha FC got a consolation goal that came very late in the game. Roy Krishna was unable to make his 100th start in the ISL memorable.

Punjab FC Starting Eleven: Ravi Kumar (GK), K. Lhungdhim, S. Meitei, I. Novoselec, TA Singh, Nikhil Prabhu, Pulga Vidal, Filip Mrzljak, Vinit Rai, Nihal Sudesh, M. Bakenga (C)

Odisha FC Starting Eleven: Amrinder Singh (C) (GK), Amay Ranawade, Moirangthem T. Singh, Mourtada Fall, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Puitea, Raynier Fernandes, Isak Ralte, Hugo Boumous, Roy Krishna, Diego Mauricio. 

Odisha FC Coach Sergio Lobera fielded his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation with 5 changes in their starting eleven. Punjab FC Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis started an unchanged eleven from their first match, in a 4-3-3 formation. 

FIRST HALF 

Punjab FC skipper Bakenga's early effort went wide in the very first minute. Punjab quickly transitioned into their 4-1-4-1 formation, as they pressed with 4 players while attacking. Odisha FC tried to construct their attack from both wings in the opening minutes.

Roy Krishna's minus in the 11th minute was denied by Punjab Defence. Minutes later, Roy Krishna again broke Punjab's Defence with a pass but Diego Mauricio could not reach it. Though Hugo Boumous and Roy Krishna's link-up on Odisha's right wing made some scoring opportunities for The Juggernauts, they failed to connect in the final third. 

Punjab's Nihal Sudeesh's strike deflected Odisha's defence and Punjab FC earned their first corner in the 18th minute. Punjab earned 3 corners within 25 minutes, but they could not convert those into goals because of Odisha's defence standing tall.

Minutes later, Nihal Sudeesh drew the first blood in the 28th minute to give Punjab the lead with a brilliant inside-cut strike from the left. Filip Mrzljak made a swift pass to him and Sudeesh did not waste it. 

We saw a beautiful gesture by Punjab Coach Dilmperis holding up Luka Majcen's shirt as Majcen was announced to be out for almost two months after getting injured in their first match. 

Punjab FC continuously shifted their attacks from the middle corridor and tried to crumble Odisha FC's Defence from both wings. They maintained numerical supremacy in the midfield and displayed a low-block defence after they got the lead. 

The first half ended with Punjab FC having a 1-0 lead. Though Odisha created some chances, they lacked finishing in the final third. Odisha also maintained 63% possession in the first half but could not find the net. 

SECOND HALF

Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Ahmed Jahouh, and Rahim Ali were subbed on for Odisha FC as Lobera made three half-time substitutions to take Mauricio, Isak Ralte, and Raynier Fernandes off the pitch. 

Odisha FC made many efforts to find a goal in this half and tried to break in through Punjab's defence but remained unsuccessful until the last minute. Odisha FC started to shift their attacks from one wing to another with Amay Ranawade overlapping. Their best chance came in the 78th minute, but Murtada Fall missed the header by inches from Jahouh's corner. 

Hugo Boumous also appealed for a handball in the 50th minute, but the referee did not give any penalty. He also missed a long-range chance in the 68th minute. 

Punjab's best scoring chance came in the 77th minute when Murtada Fall failed to intercept Krishna's pass, and Punjab's Asmir Suljic sprinted with the ball but could not finish it as Amrinder Singh made a brilliant save coming forward from the goal line. 

In the 81st minute, Nihal Sudeesh took a strong strike from the right on a counter-attack, but the ball came back into the pitch after hitting the barpost, but Punjab could not connect to the rebound.

In the 89th minute, Punjab scored their second goal as Ricky Shangbo played a brilliant through pass from midfield and Leon Augustine converted it into a goal with a great shot from the right that ensured Punjab's second win this season! 

A shot from Hugo Boumous deflected from Punjab Keeper Ravi Kumar and the ball entered the goal. This own goal pulled one back for Odisha, but it came in the sixth minute into the injury time. 

Punjab FC wins 2 out of 2 matches and climbs onto the second position on the league table with 6 points. Odisha FC lost both their matches this season and is currently in the 12th position. Odisha FC could not win their last 5 away clashes in the ISL, now the tally is extended to 6. 

Indian Football Isl Odisha Fc Roy Krishna Hugo Boumous Ahmed Jahouh Punjab FC Diego Mauricio Sergio Lobera ISL 2024-25
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