Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis expressed frustration over his side's inability to capitalize on their chances, as the Shers suffered a home defeat to NorthEast United FC on Saturday.

The visitors started strong once again, taking the lead in the 15th minute through Guillermo Fernandez. Just three minutes later, Nestor Albiach doubled their advantage with a stunning first-time volley.

Punjab FC had opportunities to claw their way back into the game, but NorthEast United FC’s solid defensive display kept them at bay.

Match Report: Punjab FC 1-2 NorthEast United FC

The visitors went down to ten men in first-half stoppage time, giving the Shers a glimmer of hope.

Despite ramping up the pressure in the second half and finding a late goal in the 88th minute, it proved too little too late as NorthEast United FC left with all three points.

“Me and my staff count six chances, including hitting the post. So, if we had scored (early), we might have had a totally different game,” Dilmperis said in the post-match press conference.

“Of course, when we scored, it was late. But I don't think that the result is fair, because this is football. It looked like moments were not with us today,” he added.

Ref blows the whistle for full-time. Our perfect home record comes to an end but not for a lack of fight or want. 🦁

Thanks to everyone who turned up at the JLN Stadium tonight. 👏#PFCNEU #PunjabDaJosh pic.twitter.com/6LS7NYoAbs

— Punjab FC (@RGPunjabFC) November 23, 2024

The Greek tactician acknowledged that his team surrendered possession too easily and emphasized the need to improve their ball retention, which would be a focus for future improvement.

“As a team, we didn't work really well at the beginning. In possession, sometimes we made easy mistakes; we misplaced easy passes to free players.”

“We are working a lot on that. It was also a general problem for the whole team,” he stated.

Punjab FC played the entire second half with a one-man advantage, but this is the second time—after their game against Bengaluru FC—that they failed to make the most of their numerical superiority.

Dilmperis, however, views this as part of the game, acknowledging that breaking down a team with a solid defensive structure, especially when reduced to ten men, is always a challenging task.

“I know that in 90% of these games, teams that have an extra player cannot manage this advantage. Why? Because most teams stay in a 4-4 and only one (upfront). And suddenly, most of the players dropped to the back zone, so there were no players around,” the head coach commented.

The Shers will next travel to Mumbai to take on the Islanders on Tuesday.