East Bengal FC secured a much-needed 3-1 victory over Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on February 22, 2025, as they aim to keep their slim hopes alive for the upcoming playoff rounds of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season. Coach Oscar Bruzon's men displayed resilience and attacking flair, marking their third consecutive unbeaten away match.
The match got off to a flying start for East Bengal when Dimitrios Diamantakos found the back of the net just 15 minutes in. The Greek forward, who was ending his nine-game goal drought, capitalized on a defensive lapse from Punjabi defender Suresh Meitei, who mishandled the clearance, allowing Diamantakos to land his left-footed shot past Punjab's goalkeeper Ravi Kumar. This goal also marked East Bengal’s first goal within the opening 15 minutes of any match during the season, indicating a much-needed shift in their approach.
Despite having opportunities to extend their lead during the first half, including another attempt by Diamantakos which hit the crossbar, rebounding back from close range, East Bengal maintained pressure on Punjab FC. The second goal came shortly after halftime, checkering the scoreboard with Naorem Mahesh Singh's strike just two minutes thereafter. Mahesh poached the rebound after his teammate Vishnu P.V.’s initial shot was blocked by the defense, capitalizing on the loose ball with precision.
The visitors struck again to widen their lead to 3-0 at the 54-minute mark. Lalchungnunga scored following disarray in Punjab’s defense after a corner kick was poorly cleared. His well-placed shot from close range secured what looked to be the match for East Bengal.
Despite the commanding position, Punjab FC's Ezequiel Vidal managed to net a consolation goal with a powerful long-range strike from outside the box at the 62-minute mark. This goal, though, was merely academic as Punjab struggled to recover from the early pressure inflicted by East Bengal.
East Bengal's victory improved their standing within the league, allowing them to leapfrog over Punjab FC. Both teams now share 24 points on the table, yet remain eight points behind the final playoff spot occupied by Mumbai City FC with only three matches remaining. The playoffs seem increasingly challenging for both sides, burdened by their earlier inconsistency throughout the season.
Reflecting on the match, Bruzon remarked on Diamantakos’s performance, emphasizing, “Dimitrios Diamantakos finally ended his nine-game scoring drought with his goal, and his return to form is significantly important at this stages of the season.” Meanwhile, standout performer Raphael Messi Bouli was pivotal throughout the match, assisting Mahesh Singh’s second goal and helping East Bengal navigate the often-challenging Punjab defense with his creativity and physical presence.
While East Bengal celebrated their win, they recognize the challenges lie ahead as they prepare to face Hyderabad FC at home. For Punjab FC, the defeat signifies pressing concerns within their defensive structure as they prepare to host FC Goa on February 27. Coming off the loss, Punjab needs to address their defensive lapses to bolster their chances of salvaging their season.
The East Bengal support remains optimistic, hoping their team can build this momentum as they march through the latter stages of the season. With resilience demonstrated on the field, fans are encouraged about the future as they look forward to seeing how their squad can conclude the remainder of the season and perhaps make the miraculous turnaround needed to affect playoff standings.