ISL 2024-25: Punjab FC Fall Victim To Table-Toppers Mohun Bagan SG In 1-3 Walloping Amid Questionable Refereeing – News18

Last Updated:December 26, 2024, 21:35 IST

Missed penalty calls coupled with undeserving ones awarded for the other, and cards flashed at will on top of a solid dominant second half from the Mariners ensured that the Shers fell victim at home.

A plethora of controversial calls from the referee coupled with a second-half collapse spelled disaster for Punjab FC who fell 1-3 to table-toppers Mohun Bagan SG at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Thursday.

After their last home game win, Punjab FC were on par to compete with their visitors for the top spot. But, back-to-back losses proved to push them away from the playoff spots, down to 7th place.

MBSG, on the other hand, continued to build on their historic start to the season but were met with a reality check by Goa FC on their last matchday, as the Mariners fell to a 2-1 defeat. Yet, a timely draw in the case of second-placed Bengaluru ensured that they remain top of the league.

Coming off continuous defeats and facing up against the defending champions, Punjab FC were In need of a spark early in order to beat the nerves and settle into the game. Nikhil would provide just that as the midfielder would let one rip from distance, only to be denied by the crossbar in the third minute of the game.

This wouldn’t hamper the Mariners, who would stick to a disciplined manner of attack, quickly finding their mojo with a bunch of beautifully strung passes through the middle of Punjab’s midfield, but would fail to threaten at any cost, except for an early direct swipe on goal from Manvir.

But, Mohun Bagan’s disciplined positioning would pose problems for the hosts, who were finding it difficult to beat the system and attack through the middle.

So, in the 12th minute, Ricky Shabong would opt to take the other route — through the flanks – embarking on a wondrous run near the sidelines, to calmly guide the ball into the back of the net, past Vishal Kaith to gift the Shers an early lead.

The visiting Mariners would remain unshaken by the breakthrough, but a rejuvenated PFC would pile on the pressure across the field while sticking to their defensive duties to keep Mohun Bagan at bay.

Corners, consistent forays into the third, and tackles galore would ensue as Mohun Bagan would remain persistent in their hunt for an equalizer. But, the Shers would continue to throw everything they had, holding onto their lead for their dear life with a back-five while nullifying every attempt to go into the half-time break with the lead.

Their patience and persistence would be rewarded early into the second half though, as a missed freekick-turned-corner from Cummings, would ultimately result in Alberto Rodriguez heading one into the back of the net, as the Mariners would draw level in the 49th minute, just three minutes into the second half.

Frustration and fatigue would start to creep up into the ranks of the Shers, and their fate would only get worse within the passing minute as Pulga Vidal saw an unusual double-yellow — one for a rash tackle and another for a potential taunt of the referee — leaving Punjab crippled with just 10 men on the pitch.

There would be no stopping the bleeding for the Shers though, as Anirudh Thapa would go down inside the penalty box in controversial fashion, winning the Mariners a penalty that would be buried into the back of the net by Maclaren as MBSG took the lead.

The flurry of questionable calls from the referee would continue as in an act that added insult to injury to the Shers, Luka Majcen picked up a yellow card as well, meaning that the skipper would be rendered unavailable for Punjab’s next match.

The Mariners though would show no mercy, as Alberto would beat Ravi Kumar with a sensational header yet again in the 68th minute, to extend the lead to 3-1 and pile the misery on Punjab.

In a moment of desperation, Dilimperis would bring on three new substitutes – Meitei, Shami, and Nihal — for PFC in the 70th minute, hoping that someone would inspire a change. But, the Mariners would only go on to bully the Shers endlessly till the very end, as the home team ultimately fell 1-3.

With their win, Mohun Bagan continues to dominate at the top of the table with 29 points, while Punjab stays still at seventh.