Punjab Football Club hold back JFC, force goalless draw in super league

Chandigarh, October 23

Punjab Football Club (PFC) drew their second consecutive match of the Indian Super League (ISL) by holding Jamshedpur FC to a goalless draw at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur.

Punjab FC head coach Staikos Vergetis made two changes to the starting lineup bringing in Nikhil Prabhu and Nitesh Darjee instead of Krishnananda Singh and Mohammed Salah. While Jamshedpur FC head coach Scott Cooper lined up his side in a 3-4-3 formation with the debutant French forward Steve Ambri leading the line.

Steve Ambri along with Rei Tachikawa kept the PFC defence on their toes. Ambri got the first real chance to score from a corner kick, but he couldn’t direct his header into the goal. Later, Dimitrios Chatziisaias and Melroy Assisi along with Nikhil Prabhu and Amarjit Singh Kiyam held most of the possession for the PFC. Both teams could not create any clear chances as they went into the break with the score goalless.

Later, PFC started the second half with more purpose going forward with Luka Majcen finding himself in space inside the box but the Slovenian could not control the ball for a shot. Later, Juan Mera dribbled past multiple defenders with his run down the channel but could not find any of his team mates inside the box.

At the same time, PFC defence were denying any space for the home side attacking players to create chances. JFC gaffer brought in the changes in the hour mark. Substitute Sanan Mohammed forced out a brilliant save from Ravi Kumar and the PFC keeper was again called into action making a save from Daniel Chima Chukwu.

Punjab FC have two points from four matches, while Jamshedpur FC have five points from four matches. Punjab FC will face Chennaiyin FC in their next match on October 29 at Marina Arena Stadium, Chennai.