Last Updated:
East Bengal FC came back from two goals down to pip Punjab FC 4-2 in the 2024-25 Indian Super League.
ISL: East Bengal’s PV Vishnu against Punjab FC (FSDL)
East Bengal FC defeated Punjab FC 4-2 in the 2024-25 Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Hijazi Maher, PV Vishnu, David Lalhlansanga and an own goal from Suresh Meitei in the second half trumped Ezequiel Vidal and Asmir Suljic’s strikes in the opening 45.
With was a cagey start with Punjab FC staring the attacks but Luka Majcen was off-side on more occasions than not.
David Lalhlansanga won a free kick in the eighth minute as Cleiton Silva stepped to take it. The young Indian forward was the first to get a touch from the delivery as he chested the ball down and blasted the ball into the net in one swift motion, only for the offside flag to be raised.
The game again turned into a mid-field battle with defenders packed at the back.
It was Punjab FC who took the lead in the 21st minute as Nihal Sudeesh’s snaking run om the right flank was unchallenged. He passed it on for Ezequiel Vidal, who looked up and sent a ball across to the left. Asmir Suljic snuck past the East Bengal defenders and slotted home past Prabhsukhan Singh Gill for the opener.
In the 34th minute, Ivan Novoselec’s aggressive defending presented Majcen with a golden chance as he ran onto the ball as it made its way behind East Bengal’s defensive line. On-on-one Prabhsukhan though stood tall and along with Lalchungnunga, denied Punjab their second.
Punjab did have their second in the 39th. Khaiminthang Lhungdim’s throw-in was smartly navigated past Anwar Ali by Vidal, even without touching the ball and when he did touch the ball, he blasted it past Prabhsukhan.
With the restart, Oscar Bruon opted to bring in PV Vishnu in place of Mahesh Naorem as Panagiotis Dilmperis was forced to bring off Ivan Novoselec for Vinit Rai soon after.
The change in momentum was almost immediate as East Bengal began the second half with renewed vigour.
In the 48th minute, Cleiton’s free-kick was met by a towering Hijazi Maher in the penalty box as Ravi Kumar did not have a chance in goal.
East Bengal were level come the 54th as Vishnu ran in from the left flank and slotted a cut-back from Mohammad Rakip as Punjab FC defender Suresh Meitei could only look on in despair.
The night got worse for Suresh at the hour mark as he tried clearing a cross in from Nandhakumar but ended up sending the ball into his own net. East Bengal had the lead.
There was more misery in store for the visitors as Lhungdim got his marching orders for his second yellow in the 64th minute. Three minutes later, a stooping header from David met Vishnu’s curling cross from the left flank.
Punjab FC did not know what hit them and even though they had attempts on goal Prabhsukhan made sure there were no more goals.
