Chennai, Feb 15 - Chennaiyin FC clinched a thrilling 2-1 victory against Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, marking their first home win of the season after several attempts and boosting their spirits significantly.
The match, part of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season, saw both teams fiercely contesting for supremacy, setting the stage for an exciting encounter. With this victory, Chennaiyin FC moved to 10th place with 24 points from 21 matches, whereas Punjab FC remained just above them, also on 24 points but having played one less match.
Chennaiyin FC gained the upper hand early on, thanks to Wilmar Jordan Gil, who scored from the penalty spot. The opportunity arose when Punjab's Melroy Assisi handled the ball inside the area following a throw-in. Gil, a former Punjab player, stepped up and confidently dispatched the ball past the goalkeeper Ravi Kumar, putting the home side 1-0 up just 19 minutes in.
Despite conceding the early goal, Punjab FC responded positively and created several chances throughout the first half. Filip Mrzljak was particularly active, forcing Chennaiyin goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz to make some important saves. Nevertheless, they couldn't find the back of the net before halftime.
Coming out strong after the break, Punjab FC's Luka Majcen equalized just three minutes after the restart. Utilizing excellent teamwork, Majcen received the ball from Pulga Vidal following a clever exchange and slotted it home past Nawaz, bringing the score to 1-1 and reigniting hopes for the visitors.
With the momentum shifting, Punjab began to press more, and Majcen had several opportunities to give his side the lead, but they were frustratingly unable to convert their chances. Chennaiyin's defense held strong, bolstered by some spectacular saves from Nawaz who denied Majcen and even thwarted another long-range effort from Vidal late in the game.
The excitement ramped up as the match neared its conclusion. Just when it seemed like the momentum was favoring Punjab, Chennaiyin FC struck back. Daniel Chima Chukwu, who had come off the bench, found himself perfectly positioned inside the six-yard box during the 84th minute. Substituting Lukas Brambilla delivered a low cross, and Chukwu managed to poke it home from close range, stunning the Punjab side and sending the home fans jubilantly to their feet.
With the score at 2-1, Punjab intensified their efforts to level the match again, pushing forward with determination. They generated multiple chances, particularly through substitute Muhammad Suhail’s crosses, but Chennaiyin's defense, alongside heroic goalkeeping from Nawaz, repelled all attempts. Nawaz's reflexes were put to the test as he made key saves to secure the win.
This victory for Chennaiyin not only provided them with much-needed points but also marked their second win out of their last ten matches at home, signalling potential momentum as they head forward. For Punjab FC, the defeat meant missing out on valuable points as they attempt to climb the league table.
Both teams will now shift their focus to upcoming matches, with Chennaiyin FC gearing up to face Bengaluru FC on February 25, eager to build on this success. Meanwhile, Punjab FC will host East Bengal FC at their venue on February 22, hoping to bounce back from this disappointment.
Overall, this clash brought excitement, drama, and pivotal moments, encapsulating the essence of what makes the ISL such a thrilling competition.