NorthEast United FC and Punjab FC played out a 1-1 draw at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on Friday.
Punjab FC kept 49.8 per cent of the possession and took two shots on target, but an 82nd minute equaliser by Khaiminthang Lhungdim proved enough for them to break its four-game-long losing streak and settle for a point.
The Highlanders were on the offensive in the opening 30 minutes, with their key creative outlet Jithin M.S., who has five assists to his name this season. However, he missed his chance to score his first goal of the season from close range.
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The home team struck first in the 24th minute thanks to Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s clinical finishing. A long ball aimed at the PFC defence was miscleared by Melroy Melwin Assisi, falling directly to Macarton Nickson. Recognising an opportunity, Nickson surged forward from deep and unleashed a powerful shot that was parried away by Punjab FC’s goalkeeper, Muheet Shabir Khan. However, the rebound fell kindly to Ajaraie, who expertly avoided the offside trap and calmly slotted the ball into the net to give his team the early lead.
“Punjab FC mirrored NorthEast United FC’s aggressive start to the second half. However, failed to assert itself on the Highlanders. It benefitted from the introduction of fresh legs as the game entered its final stages. Muhammad Suhail F came on the pitch in the 75th minute, and made an impact seven minutes later.
He surged into the attacking third and unleashed a powerful shot that forced Gurmeet into a diving save. However, the goalkeeper couldn’t fully command the ball, and it spilled out to Khaiminthang Lhungdim, who delicately placed the ball into the bottom right corner.
With this result, NEUFC climbs to fifth in the ISL 2024-25 table with 23 points from 15 games, while Punjab FC stays at eighth with 19 points from 14 matches.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com