In a riveting encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Punjab FC brought Chennaiyin FC’s unbeaten away run to a halt with a hard-fought 3-2 victory in the Indian Super League 2024-25 season. The match, brimming with tension, skill, and tactical intrigue, saw Chennaiyin’s striker, Wilmar Jordan Gil, scoring twice but still finding his side on the losing end.
The evening began with high hopes for the visitors, as Jordan Gil offered Chennaiyin an early advantage with a precise finish in the 30th minute. This goal was the culmination of a well-coordinated move, showcasing Gil’s clinical prowess and marking his fourth goal in just three games—a testament to his current form and importance to the team.
However, Punjab had other plans post-interval, quickly leveling the score and then surging ahead within two minutes of the second half. Luka Majcen, Punjab’s forward, netted twice in quick succession at the 46th and 48th minutes, flipping the script of the match and placing Chennaiyin on the back foot.
Chennaiyin’s Laldinliana Renthlei made a return to the starting eleven after serving a one-match suspension, and his presence was immediately felt. Throughout the first half, his defensive acumen and timely interventions were crucial in fending off several threatening advances from Punjab. A standout moment saw Samik Mitra, Chennaiyin’s goalkeeper, make a critical save with lightning reflexes, averting a dangerous cross, only for Renthlei to clear the follow-up effort with expert precision.
The first half concluded with its own drama as Chennaiyin almost doubled their lead. Farukh Choudhary managed to head the ball home from a Ryan Edwards set-piece, but they were left frustrated when the referee disallowed the goal, citing an infringement.
As the second half unfolded, it quickly became clear that Punjab had recalibrated their strategy during the break. The two goals from Majcen deflated Chennaiyin, who were not only struggling to regain their footing but were also contending against a fiercely determined home side pressing their advantage.
As the match progressed, Asmir Suljic added a third for Punjab in the 70th minute, capitalizing on a swift counter-attack that caught Chennaiyin’s defense off-guard.
. This third goal left the visitors with an arduous task to even draw level, let alone win the match.
Chennaiyin, under the guidance of manager Owen Coyle, sought to muster a comeback in the remaining time. Despite increased possession and attacking impetus, Punjab’s defense held firm. Yet, in a match that saw action until the final whistle, Jordan Gil managed to score a consolation goal deep into stoppage time, notching his second for the night and the fifth for the season. It was a determined strike, demonstrating his resilience and determination even in the face of adversity.
The narrow loss signifies a bump in the road for Chennaiyin, who must now quickly regroup with a challenging trip to Jamshedpur FC looming on Monday. This setback in their away campaign highlights the competitive nature of the league this season and the margin for error being remarkably slender.
Reflecting on the game, Coyle and his team are likely to analyze defensive lapses and moments where precision was missing. Their focus will undoubtedly be on patching vulnerabilities and refining their approach to ensure they come back stronger in forthcoming fixtures.
This story, originating from a third-party source, was relayed by agency feeds. Mid-day, responsible for the publication, does not assume liability for the content’s reliability. They hold absolute discretion to modify or retract any content without prior notification.
With this defeat, the narrative moving forward is about how Chennaiyin will adapt and respond to the challenges faced in the ISL, a league becoming ever more competitive with each passing matchday.
