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It was a Diwali double for Luka Majcen who scored a brace in the second half to help Punjab FC get the win over Chennayin FC.
ISL 2024-25: Punjab FC beat Chennayin FC (FSDL)
Punjab FC delivered a cracking performance on Diwali at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi for their first home game since the international break, beating Chennaiyin FC 3-1. A brace from Luka Majcen followed by Asmir Suljic’s goal resulted in the Shers returning to winning ways and also jumping up to third position in the league standings.
Majcen made his first start of the season. The Slovenian striker had returned to the squad in the previous game after having fractured his jaw in the game against Kerala Blasters. But he did not show any signs of uneasiness as he looked to get involved right from the start in both attacking and defensive aspects of the game.
The home side dominated much of the first 20 minutes of the first half but lacked that killer pass to help bring the strikers into the game. Nihal Sudeesh, who had been in form for the first few games, looked far from his best and failed to make much of an impact in the game.
Chennaiyin FC, however, managed to crawl their way back into the game with Connor Shields looking to cross one into the box from the left flank. The pattern of attacking from the left side continued with Farukh Choudhary also trying the same but to no avail.
But their persistence paid off as an error from the centre-back Ivan Novoselec resulted in Wilmar Jordan Gil getting the first goal of the game. The Brazilian midfielder, Lukas Brambilla, played the killer pass over Novoselec to find the striker.
Chennaiyin FC seemed to have their second goal of the game with a fairly smart approach. During the corner taken in the 39th minute, Ryan Edwards seemed to overpower Majcen in an aerial duel for the goal but it was ruled out due to a foul.
Majcen fumbled their best chance of the first half. A cross from Filip Mrzljak found its way to the striker, but the angle from the left side was too tight, thus missing the target.
Right before the second half began, head coach Staikos Vergetis opted to switch out Nihal Sudeesh in place of Leon Augustine to possibly bring in more energy on the wings. The change seemed to work in their favour as his attacking threat meant the striker was left open to score the opening goal. It did not take long for Punjab FC to take the lead as Majcen scored his second in the 48th minute.
The first was a deadly through ball from Mrzljak which the striker finished with ease. This was then followed by a cross from the right-back Khauminthang Lhungdim which went to the skipper as Punjab FC found themselves in front.
Just before the 60th minute, Mrzljak went down due to an injury concern to his left thigh which resulted in him being subbed off for Asmir Suljic from Hungary.
The injury concerns began piling up as Lhungdim also suffered an injury to his shoulder, resulting in the player being stretchered off the ground. Majcen was also subbed off for Mushaga Bakenga.
The Norwegian striker has endured a tough start in the Indian Super League but he managed to deliver his first assist with a selfless pass to Suljic to give the Shers their third goal of the game.
Just before the stoppage time, the home side decided to make their final substitution with Ezeqiuel Vidal coming in for Ninthoinganba Meetei.
The visitors looked to give the home side a scare as Wilmar Jordan Gil found his second goal of the game but it was too late as the referee blew the whistle for full-time.