New Delhi, 23 November (Hindustan Reporter). The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 returns from the international break with the clash between Punjab FC and NorthEast United FC. Both the teams will clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi this evening.
Both these teams failed to qualify for the playoffs last year, with Highlanders finishing seventh and Punjab FC eighth. However, this time both have made a strong start to the season. NorthEast United FC are third in the table with 12 points from three wins, three draws and two losses from eight matches.
At the same time, Punjab FC is at sixth position in the table with 12 points from six matches, four wins and two losses. She will start her campaign with the same zeal and enthusiasm on Saturday after a two-week long break.
Punjab FC remains undefeated against the Highlanders so far. In two matches, Punjab FC has won once and one match has been drawn.
Punjab have the lowest number of shots attempted (65) and shots on target (20) in the ongoing ISL campaign. Punjab FC have conceded only seven goals overall and have won three of their last five matches.
NorthEast United has recorded the best difference between expected goals (11.95) and actual goals (19) in ISL 2024-25 (+7.05 xG value). He has 19 goals after eight matches. NorthEast have scored more than one goal in each of their last three ISL matches.
Punjab FC’s Greek head coach Panagiotis Dilamperis said that his team will enter the upcoming match with full preparation and all the players are ready and fit.
He said, “We have worked with full concentration in the past few days so that we can adapt ourselves to the next match. All our players are ready for this match.”
NorthEast United FC’s Sp.sh head coach Juan Pedro Benali said his team is making a habit of overcoming difficult situations and their aim is to maintain control for large parts of the match.
He said, “We are learning. We are getting used to winning points from difficult situations. We hope that we did not give up even after 65-70 minutes, which is why we scored so many goals in the last minutes. A football match is a lot of small moments and we need to control most of them.”
Let us tell you that so far two matches have been played between the two teams in ISL, in which Punjab FC has won once and one match was drawn.
