ISL: Punjab FC Seeks Victory Against a Struggling East Bengal FC
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Kolkata, Dec 16 (NationPress) Punjab FC is set to take on a struggling East Bengal FC, aiming to secure all three points in their next Indian Super League clash, which is scheduled for Tuesday at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Currently positioned fifth, Punjab FC can leap to third place with a victory against the 11th placed East Bengal, who have managed only two wins out of ten matches this season. The Shers have accumulated 18 points from their ten games, while East Bengal has only seven points from the same number of matches.
In a pre-match statement, PFC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis remarked, “It will be a balanced contest against East Bengal. Each match presents a wonderful opportunity for us to remain competitive in the league. The results we are seeing are a natural outcome of our structured approach and our commitment to improvement every day, leading to increasingly positive results.”
“East Bengal has shown a significant change since the arrival of their new coach, and his influence is evident in the team’s performances. Although they currently sit low on the table, we anticipate a challenging match.”
Punjab recently faced a narrow defeat, losing 1-2 to Jamshedpur FC in a tightly contested match, while East Bengal experienced a loss against Odisha FC at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Luka Majcen stands out as the team's top scorer with five goals in seven appearances, while Pulga Vidal and Filip Mrzljak have also been in excellent scoring form with three goals each. Unfortunately, Filip will miss the upcoming game due to an injury sustained in the last match. Nikhil Prabhu has recorded the highest number of interceptions in the league with 30 and will aim to continue his impressive performance in midfield.
During the pre-match press conference, Nikhil Prabhu stated, “My role is to disrupt the opponents' transitions. I’m pleased to take on the responsibilities assigned by the coach in both defensive and offensive phases, and I am executing our game plan effectively. East Bengal is one of the top teams in the nation, and we are eager for a strong performance tomorrow to secure all three points.”
Last season, the Red & Gold Brigade were held to a goalless draw at Salt Lake, while Punjab FC had previously triumphed over East Bengal with a resounding 4-1 victory in their earlier encounter in New Delhi. The Kolkata team will be without the services of Saul Crespo and former Punjab FC player Madih Talal due to injuries, while key midfielder Jeakson Singh is suspended after receiving a red card in the most recent match.
Punjab FC aims to deliver a strong performance against an East Bengal side struggling with confidence, as Oscar Bruzon's team seeks to bring joy to their fans at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium.
