Slovenian forward Luka Majcen shone as Indian Super League (ISL) side Punjab FC started their Durand Cup 2024 campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 win over CISF Protectors. A goal in each half from Majcen and a late penalty from Vinit Rai was enough for the Shers to ensure all three points from their opening fixture at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK).

PunjabFC were dominant throughout and never looked like conceding, however, they were also wasteful, which their new Greek coach Panagiotis Dilmperis, will look to improve upon as the tournament progresses.

CISF coach Ajit Kumar packed his team with midfielders, while Panagiotis left Majcen as the lone striker ahead, supported by a five-man midfield and an organized four-man defence ably led by Melroy Assisi and Suresh Meitei.

The Shers had as many as four good attempts at goal in the first 20 minutes including the first of the game for Majcen as early as in the 7th minute, but his header from close brought about the first of many good saves from CISF keeper Rajkumar Mahato.

Majcen finally broke through in the 30th minute, latching on to a ball from Nikhil Prabhu, who also had a brilliant game, and driving through a wide gap in the centre of the CISF defence to power a left-footer past Mahato into the left-bottom corner. That would remain the only goal of the first half.

Leon Augustine got the first good chance for Punjab in the second, getting away inside the box just after restart, but a power-packed shot at goal, made Mahato bring about another good save to deny him.

Majcen’s second goal of the game came just ahead of the hour mark and Nikhil Prabhu was involved again as his chip found Filip Mrzljak’s run on the right wing. The Croatian midfielder delivered a low cross and Majcen’s first-time strike did make Mahato get a hand on it, but he was unable to keep it out.

Then in the 75th minute, Punjab substitute Ranjeet Pandre was brought down inside the box by Mahato and Vinit Rai wrong-footed the keeper confidently to make it 3-0 and three points safely in the bag for Punjab.

The Shers will face Kerala Blasters in their next group fixture on August 4 while the CISF Protectors will take on Mumbai City FC on the next day.

NorthEast United FC secure a 2-0 win over Bodoland FC in the Assam derby

In the earlier fixture on the day, NorthEast United FC took all three points from their opening fixture in the ongoing 133rd Durand Cup as they eased past Bodoland FC 2-0 at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar, Assam.

Two second-half goals by Jithin M.S. and Ankith Padmanabhan ensured a winning start for the Highlanders in the tournament.

Bodoland FC head coach Khlain Prykhat Syiemjieh fielded a strong lineup with Ghanaians Benjamin Techie, Joe Aidoo and Cameroon striker Zacharie Mbenda, leading the attack and another Ghanaian Frank Nana Kofi manning the defence.

NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali fielded his team in a 3-5-2 formation which included new signings Mayakannan Muthu, Guillermo Fernandez Hierro and U-23 Moroccan international Hamza Regragui.

The first half was evenly poised with both teams showing some intent while attacking, but NorthEast United FC had the better chances.

The attacking trio of Nestor Albiach, Jithin M.S. and Parthib Gogoi, showed good creativity down the middle and through the wings, especially Nestor who also looked dangerous with his set pieces. Zacharie Mbenda got the first opportunity to score in the game, but could not bend the ball enough, to find the net for the home side.

On the other end, The Highlanders did score twice in the opening half but the goals were chalked off for a handball inside the box and the second one for offside. Jithin M.S. forced a good save out of Bodoland goalkeeper Birkhang Daimary who pushed the forward’s shot to the woodwork to keep the scores level. Soon, Parthib Gogoi hit the crossbar from an effort inside the box. The Highlanders kept on pushing for the opening goal but the local side stood their ground to keep the attackers on bay as both teams went into the lemon break with the scores level.

NorthEast United FC came off the blocks firing on all cylinders and scored within four minutes of the restart. Jithin M.S. received the ball on the left wing and sidestepped his marker to finish expertly past the on-rushing keeper. NorthEast United FC controlled the match thereafter as Bodoland’s attack fizzed out giving the ISL side complete control.

Bodoland did create a couple of chances and came close to equalising but Mitinga Dwimary’s effort went wide, underlining their performance in the match in which the home side had 15 attempts on goal but just one of them on target.

NorthEast United FC put the match in the bag in injury time through a flowing counterattack. Phalguni Singh received a through ball in the left wing and the forward found Ankith Padmanabhan inside the box, who chipped the onrushing keeper smartly to give all three points to the Highlanders and the bragging rights in the all-Assam derby.

The Highlanders will face the BSF Football Team in their next group-stage fixture while Bodoland FC will host Odisha FC in their second group-stage fixture.

Related tags:

NorthEast United FCPunjab FC2023-2024