The Indian Super League 2023–24 eighth-round encounter between Punjab FC (PFC) and Bengaluru FC ended in a 3–3 draw. This was the ISL debutants’ fourth draw of the year. The game took place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
For Punjab FC, the goals came from Nikhil Prabhu, Dimitrios Chatziisaias, and Luka Majcen; for Bengaluru, the goals came from Harsh Patre, Curtis Main, and Javi Hernandez. Bengaluru pulled even after trailing Punjab FC by two goals, preventing the latter from winning the first game of the year.
Three changes were made to the starting lineup by Punjab FC Head Coach Staikos Vergetis: Greek defender Dimitrios Chatziisaias returned from suspension to replace Amarjit Singh Kiyam; Ravi Kumar took Kiran Kumar Limbu’s position in goal; and Krishnananda Singh was replaced by Prasanth K. Mohan. Head coach Simon Grayson of the host team lined up his team in a 4-4-2 shape, with Curtis Main and Captain Sunil Chhetri of the Indian team leading the front line.
Madih Talal ran the show from the middle of the park, giving the Shers a great start to the match. With his superb runs, the Frenchman caused problems for the home team and was making room for Juan Mera and Luka Majcen to pass him. Bengaluru gave in to constant pressure from PFC, and in the 19th minute, the away team scored their opening goal. PFC took the lead after Madih Talal sent a crisp free kick that found Nikhil Prabhu inside the area. Prabhu’s skillful touch beat Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal. Bengaluru came back strongly, quickly tying the score with a superb team move. Harsh Patre, Javi Hernandez, and Sunil Chettri worked effectively together, and the latter found himself occupying space within the box.
The young player maintained his poise and finished past PFC goalkeeper Ravi Kumar with his left foot.
Punjab scores twice in the space of five minutes. In the 26th minute, PFC again takes the lead thanks to a set piece goal. The BFC defense cleared Talal’s corner, but Suresh Meitei’s rebound was pushed inside the box, and Dimitrios’ looping header reached the far corner. Luka Majcen gave the Shers a bigger advantage in the thirty-minute mark. Luka’s third goal of the season came off a back heel set by Juan Mera, which beat Gurpreet with a pile driver of a shot from outside the box.
Just before the half ended, Bengaluru reduced the margin to one goal thanks to a mix-up by Dimitrios and PFC goalkeeper Ravi Kumar, which Curtis Main took advantage of. After colliding with his own defender, Ravi Kumar fumbled a cross from Roshan Singh, allowing Curtis to just tap the ball into the goal.
While Staikos Vergetis made one substitution at the beginning of the second half, replacing Prasanth with Krishnananda Singh, Simon Grayson made three changes, inserting Suresh Singh Wangjam, N. Siva Sakthi, and Serbian defender Slavko Damjanovic.
The home team showed greater control over the game as a result of the substitutions. Due to their inability to convert any clear-cut opportunities in the opening exchanges, both teams were unable to play with the same intensity as they did in the first half. Javi wasted a chance when his shot missed the mark, and the Bengaluru defense stopped Juan Mera’s attempt. Due to an injury, Madih Talal was substituted in the 60th minute.
Javi Hernandez scored for Bengaluru in the 67th minute to tie the score. After Juan Mera was taken out of the game in the middle of the pitch, Sunil Chhetri found Javi Hernandez, who scored through the PFC keeper’s hands. When Bengaluru began to dominate possession, they pushed the PFC defense to prevent their midfield from playing out to the other side of the pitch.
A few saves were required of Ravi Kumar, including an incredible one-handed save from an attempt by Sunil Chhetri. PFC maintained the score line despite the home team’s pressure. In the last moments of the game, both teams pushed for the victory, but in the end, both teams shared the winnings.
Following the game, Punjab FC Head Coach Staikos Vergetis stated, “I am proud of the boys for their performance but not happy with the outcome.” We gave up a few poor goals that were preventable. We’ll review our errors and prepare for the upcoming game.
Bengaluru FC has seven points from eight games, while Punjab FC has four points from eight. The next game for Punjab FC is scheduled for December 9 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata against East Bengal.
