The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi is all set to host an exciting clash as Punjab FC take on Mohammedan SC. The new entrants to the ISL, Mohammedan SC, have had a tough debut season, while Punjab FC, who also faced struggles in their first ISL campaign last year, seem to have found their footing this season.
Currently sixth on the table with 15 points from eight matches, Punjab FC will aim to leverage their home advantage and secure three crucial points to climb higher in the standings. On the other hand, Mohammedan SC, languishing near the bottom with just 5 points and one solitary win from nine games, face an uphill task if they hope to turn their season around.
Goal-Scoring Woes for Mohammedan SC
For Mohammedan SC, the biggest challenge has been converting chances into goals. They’ve managed only three field goals so far this season, despite creating several scoring opportunities.
“It’s a big problem for us that we create so many chances but fail to score. We work on this in every practice session, showing the players videos and analysing situations. The positive part is that we are creating opportunities, but we must improve in these situations,” Mohammedan SC coach Andrey Chernyshov acknowledged during the pre-match press conference.
The return of midfielders Alexis Gomez and Mirjalol Kasimov, who missed the last match due to yellow card suspensions, offers some respite for Chernyshov. Their presence will undoubtedly strengthen the team’s midfield and provide more balance.
Punjab FC: Confidence High After Dominant Victory
Punjab FC, under the tactical brilliance of head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis, have impressed in their second ISL season. Fresh off an emphatic 3-0 victory over Mumbai City FC, the team is brimming with confidence. A win against Mohammedan SC could propel them to third place in the standings.
Dilmperis, however, prefers to focus on one game at a time.
“I’m not looking at the matches for the rest of the month. To be honest, I only care about winning tomorrow’s game. After that, we’ll adjust for the upcoming matches,” he said.
Contrasting Fortunes and Unique Records
Punjab FC have maintained a unique record this season, being one of only two teams, alongside Jamshedpur FC, yet to concede a penalty. In contrast, Mohammedan SC have missed two penalties, squandering valuable goal-scoring opportunities.
Additionally, Mohammedan SC have shown a high work rate in winning possession—averaging 47.4 times per game, the highest in the league. However, they’ve also lost possession 143.6 times per game, the second most among all teams, which has undermined their ability to capitalize on recoveries.
A Clash of Former I-League Champions
The stakes are high, and the odds favour Punjab FC. But Mohammedan SC must bring their A-game if they are to get anything out of this match. Fans can expect a gripping encounter as these two former I-League champions clash to fortify their respective ambitions for the season.
Will Punjab continue their upward trajectory, or can Mohammedan SC pull off an upset to reignite their campaign? All eyes will be on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to witness this battle unfold.
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