Bengaluru FC – 1 (Roshan 43’)
Punjab FC – 0
Bengaluru, October 19: A first half strike by Roshan Naorem Singh ensured Bengaluru FC halt Punjab FC’s winning streak and in turn remain unbeaten themselves in the Indian Super League 2024-25 season in the match played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Bengaluru FC consolidated their position at the top of the table with 13 points while Punjab FC dropped to third with nine points on goal difference behind Jamshedpur FC.
Panagiotis Dilmperis made his first change to the starting eleven this season giving the impressive Leon Augustine a start ahead of Mushaga Bakenga. Luka Majcen was named in the bench, but remained as an unused substitute. Gerard Zaragoza made three changes to the Bengaluru lineup bringing in Rohit Danu, Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Chinglensana Singh Konsham in the starting eleven.
The home side was on the charge early from the left but were scrappy as the away side maintaioned their defensive shape forcing them to take attempts from outside the box. The same pattern was seen on the other half as Punjab played on the counter attacks, with Ezequiel Vidal leading the attack line with Filip Mrzljak behind him. Nihal Sudeesh and Leon Augustine continued their impressive start to the season and were lively in both the wings. The Shers also were contained to take attempts from outside the box, without much success and Gurpreet Sandhu in goal not tested. Pulga Vidal’s free kick was punched away to safety.
Roshan Singh gave the Blues the lead, which turned out to be the winning goal at the stroke of half time. Leon Augustine was robbed by Jorge Diaz and the forward’s cut back was deflected on to the path of Roshan. The full back’s thunderous left footer found the back of the net, giving Ravi Kumar no chance to react.
Punjab FC controlled the start of the second half with Filip Mrzljak getting more involved in the game. The away side were given a huge boost, when Chinglensana Singh was shown the marching orders for his second yellow card offense.
Punjab piled on the pressure from there on and troubled the Bengaluru defence on multiple occasions. Mushaga Bakenga struck the crossbar, missing a glorious chance to equalise. Bengaluru defence maintained their shape until the end of the match and maintained the record of not concedeing a goal this season.
Punjab FC will face Chennaiyin FC in their next encounter on October 31st at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
