Punjab FC Claims Thrilling 2-1 Victory Over Odisha FC in ISL Opener
Punjab FC started their ISL campaign with a dramatic 2-1 win against Odisha FC, thanks to a last-minute goal from Messi Bouli.
New Delhi, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : Punjab FC kicked off their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with an exhilarating 2-1 victory over Odisha FC on Wednesday at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The match saw a balanced first half, which ended in a 1-1 tie, but Messi Bouli secured the win with a goal in stoppage time at the 90+5 minute mark.
The match began with a bang as Punjab FC took an early lead just one minute in. Muhammad Uvais delivered a cross into the box, and Bouli struck with his right foot, finding the bottom right corner of the net.
Odisha FC responded in the 15th minute with a set-piece opportunity. Lalthathanga Khawlhring’s corner kick was met by Thoiba Moirangthem, who headed the ball into the lower right corner, leveling the score.
Both teams continued to create chances throughout the first half. Alfred Planas tested Odisha’s goalkeeper, Hrithik Tiwari, but the keeper managed to keep the score level. Meanwhile, Mahmoud squandered a chance inside the box in the 18th minute, while Ricky Shabong and Bijoy Varghese came close to scoring for Punjab FC. Stephen Aje also made an attempt from distance during stoppage time.
As the second half commenced, both teams maintained their intensity, looking to gain the upper hand. Georgi Aburjanian nearly scored for Odisha in the 46th minute, but his shot went just over the crossbar. In the 51st minute, Bouli missed a chance, failing to connect properly with Planas’s cross.
As the half progressed, Punjab FC intensified their attacks. Planas’s shot in the 56th minute went over the bar, and just two minutes later, Tiwari made a crucial save against Diego Raposo. In the 61st minute, Bijoy Varghese attempted a header from a corner but missed the target.
Odisha FC made substitutions in the 64th minute, bringing in Everton Nascimento and Lalrinfela Khiangte to regain control. The Jagarnaughts created several set-piece threats towards the end of the match, with Rahim Ali and Stephen Aje both trying their luck with headers around the 80th minute. Mahmoud also challenged Punjab’s goalkeeper, Arshdeep Singh, from outside the box, but Singh was up to the task.
In the dying moments, Punjab FC continued to press for the winning goal. Vishal Yadav’s shot went wide in the 82nd minute, and Tiwari denied substitute Gurkirat Singh’s effort shortly after. Uvais also tried his luck from distance in the 86th minute, but his shot went slightly off target.
In the five minutes of extra time, Odisha posed a threat with Suhairi VP’s shot going wide. However, in a dramatic turn, Punjab FC quickly countered. Yadav created a chance for Bouli inside the box. The forward capitalized, scoring with a left-footed shot to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory for his team.
