Indian Super League (ISL) side Punjab FC shared points with Indo-Tibetan Border Police Football Team (ITBP FT) in a Group D clash at Kokrajhar’s Sports Authority of India Stadium on Wednesday.

The Shers were held to a goalless draw in the evening fixture despite dominating the game from the outset. Captain Nikhil Prabhu got the first real chance from a corner kick, but his attempt was off target.

Muhammad Suhail, Leon Augustine, and others continued the attacking threat with quick build-up play and interchanging positions. The Shers got another opportunity to break the deadlock as Suhail played a brilliant ball inside the penalty box, but Vishal couldn't steer it to the goal.

Manglenthang Kipgen, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, and others were close to scoring the opener, but a lack of precision in the opponent's half saw them drop points.

ITBP FT also had some chances in the dying minutes of the second half, but neither team could frame their attempts on target as the match ended on level terms.

Following this draw, both the Shers and ITBP FT stay with four points from two games. Punjab FC will take on Bodoland FC in their final group D fixture on August 9.

East Bengal FC edge out Namdhari FC

East Bengal FC secured a crucial 1-0 win against Namdhari FC in their second Group A fixture at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata in the other game.

New signing Hamid Ahadad came off the bench and scored on his debut to secure three points for the Kolkata giants.

Namdhari FC started the game as the table toppers with six points from their opening two games. However, the Red and Gold Brigade showcased the urgency and created constant pressure from the very beginning.

Oscar Bruzon’s men largely dominated the ball possession throughout the first half, with Miguel Ferreira, Bipin Singh, and others creating goal-scoring chances.

Ferreira, the Brazilian midfielder, got a golden opportunity to score on his East Bengal FC debut, but his attempt rattled the crossbar. The home side in fact hit the post a few more times in the opening half.

Lalchungnunga, Saul Crespo, and Naorem Mahesh Singh all had their chances inside the opening half but couldn’t break the deadlock, as it was 0-0 at the half-time break.

East Bengal FC began the second half with the same intensity, enjoying more time with the ball. Bruzon brought in Ahadad in the 61st minute, replacing Dimitrios Diamantakos, and the Moroccan striker went on to score the opener within just seven minutes with a crucial header.

The Red and Gold Brigade attempted a total of 18 shots and won 11 corners, dominating 67% ball possession. However, a lack of precision in the final third prevented East Bengal FC from recording another big-margin victory.

Following this win, Bruzon’s men find themselves at the summit of Group A standings with six points. They will next face the Indian Air Force FT on August 10 in their final group stage fixture.

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East Bengal FC2024-2025Punjab FC