New Delhi, March 16 (NationPress) In a gripping encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, a tenacious Punjab FC team held FC Goa to a 1-1 stalemate during their clash in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 on Monday. This draw allowed FC Goa to maintain their unbeaten streak, climbing to fourth place in the standings with nine points, while Punjab FC is positioned eighth with five points. Notably, Dejan Dražić of FC Goa was honored as the Player of the Match.

The Goan squad faced considerable difficulty, managing to equalize thanks to a goal from Dejan Dražić after Punjab had taken the lead in the 27th minute with a strike from Nsungusi Jr Effiong.

Punjab's head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis made strategic midfield changes, introducing Leon Augustine in place of the injured Nikhil Prabhu and Samir Zeljković for Bede Osuji. In contrast, FC Goa's head coach Manolo Márquez opted for an unchanged team.

The match began with Punjab asserting dominance, effectively controlling possession and applying pressure from the flanks. Left-back Muhammed Uvais sent in several threatening crosses, and the hosts recorded their first shot on target in the 15th minute when Dani Ramírez delivered a corner that found Uvais, whose header was safely handled by FC Goa's goalkeeper, Hrithik Tiwari.

Continuing their strong performance, Punjab found the net in the 27th minute. A midfield play led by Manglenthang Kipgen resulted in a precise through ball to Nsungusi Jr Effiong, who calmly curled a left-footed shot into the top corner, putting Punjab ahead.

Punjab maintained their offensive pressure nearing the end of the first half. Ramírez's long-range strike in the 37th minute tested Tiwari, while Nsungusi Jr's follow-up was comfortably collected. Kipgen also attempted from distance but failed to hit the target.

Despite struggling to clear their lines, FC Goa nearly equalized in stoppage time when Sandesh Jhingan headed just wide from a Dražić cross, and Pol Moreno missed shortly thereafter. Punjab was almost caught out by an own goal when Uvais's header struck the woodwork, yet they preserved their lead as the half concluded.

The momentum shifted dramatically early in the second half. Just three minutes post-restart, Punjab was down to ten men as goalscorer Nsungusi Jr received a straight red card. FC Goa swiftly took advantage of their numerical edge. In the 53rd minute, Brison Fernandes turned in midfield and passed to Dražić, whose right-footed shot from outside the box found the bottom corner, leveling the score at 1-1. FC Goa continued to press, with Udanta Singh heading narrowly over in the 60th minute, while Dražić missed a free header soon after.

In the 71st minute, Punjab's substitute striker Bede Osuji set up Kipgen within the box, but his attempt lacked power, allowing Tiwari to collect easily.

As the match drew to a close, Goa searched for a winning goal. Mohammad Yasir's header was parried by Arshdeep Singh in the 79th minute, while both Raynier Fernandes and Dražić failed to find the target with late efforts. Punjab stood firm in defense during stoppage time, with Arshdeep comfortably gathering a final shot from Brison Fernandes.