Punjab FC produced a stunning second-half comeback at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana, beating Mohammedan SC 2-1 in a thrilling ISL clash yesterday evening.
The home side trailed 0-1 at halftime but came roaring back after the break with two quick goals to claim all three crucial points in front of their passionate fans.
Some smart tactical changes at halftime, and substitutions, completely changed the flow and energy of the match for Punjab FC.
Starting Lineups
Punjab FC (4-2-3-1):
GK: Arshdeep Singh (#13) | DEF: Khaiminthang Lhungdim (#12), Bijith Varghese (#3), Suresh Meitei Nongmeikapam (#74), Mohammed Uvais (#2)
MID: Srecko Zeljkovic (#8), Ricky Shabong (#6) | ATT MID: Manglenthang Kipgen (#19), Dani Ramirez (#10), Nsungusi Effiong (#9) | STR: Bede Amarachi Osuji (#40)
Mohammedan SC (4-4-2):
GK: Prabhsukhan Gill Chettri (#1) | DEF: Halicharan Mondal (#20), Phalguni D. Meitei (#3), Gaurav Bora (#4), Zodingliana Ralte (#14)
MID: Yash Chickro (#5), Aditya Singh (#8), Roy Mahitosh (#52), Lalremsanga Fanai (#29) | STR: Makan Chothe (#11), Israfil Dewan (#30)
First Half: Mohammedan SC Take the Lead
The first half was a tight affair with Mohammedan SC showing great defensive discipline, keeping Punjab FC’s attackers relatively quiet throughout the opening 45 minutes.
The breakthrough came in the 30th minute when Lalremsanga Fanai (#29) struck to give Mohammedan SC a 0-1 lead, with Halicharan Mondal picking up the assist.
Punjab FC struggled to create clear chances despite having more possession. Mohammedan SC were compact and dangerous on the counter, keeping the home crowd nervous.
At half-time, the scoreline read Punjab FC 0-1 Mohammedan SC. Coach Dilberis had big decisions to make during the break to revive his team’s attacking play.
Team Statistics: Punjab FC vs Mohammedan SC
| Stat | Punjab FC | Mohammedan SC |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 11 | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 3 | 1 |
| Possession | 76% | 24% |
| Fouls | 14 | 4 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 2 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 0 |
| Offsides | 0 | 0 |
| Corners | 6 | 2 |
Second Half: Punjab FC’s Incredible Comeback
Punjab FC came out with renewed purpose in the second half. Manager Dilberis made two instant substitutions at halftime, sending on Pramveer Singh and Muhammad Suhail F.
The changes had an immediate impact. In the 48th minute, striker Effiong Nsungusi (#9) leveled the score with a clinical finish, assisted brilliantly by Srecko Zeljkovic.
The crowd at Guru Nanak Stadium erupted as Nsungusi slotted home to make it 1-1. Punjab FC were suddenly transformed, pressing high and dominating every area of the pitch.
Just five minutes later, in the 53rd minute, it was midfielder Dani Ramirez (#10) who fired Punjab FC into the lead, with Bede Amarachi Osuji providing the key assist.
Punjab FC 2-1 Mohammedan SC! The stadium was rocking. Two goals in just six second-half minutes completely flipped the match on its head in thrilling ISL fashion.
Yellow Cards and Disciplinary Action
The second half also saw a flurry of bookings. Mohammedan SC’s Yash Chickro (#5) was carded in the 49th minute, followed by Gaurav Bora (#4) just two minutes later.
Punjab FC was also not entirely disciplined. Khaiminthang Lhungdim (#12) received a yellow card at the 70th-minute mark for a foul during a midfield battle.
Bede Amarachi Osuji (#40) was then booked at the 73rd minute, just before being substituted off in the 79th minute by Ninthoinganba Meetei for Punjab FC.
Substitutions: Tactical Battles in the Dugout
At the 47th minute, two Punjab FC changes were made, and they directly contributed to both second-half goals in the match.
Mohammedan SC responded with its own changes. Lalthankima came on for Makan Chothe at 68 minutes as the visitors sought an equalizer desperately.
Adison Singh replaced goalscorer Lalremsanga Fanai, and Md Fardin Ali Molla came on for Israfil Dewan at the 79th minute mark, both for Mohammedan SC as they pushed forward.
The final substitution of the match came in the 87th minute when Jeremy Laldinpuia came on for Roy Mahitosh in Mohammedan SC’s fourth and final change of the game.
Key Events Timeline: Punjab FC vs Mohammedan SC
| Minute | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 30′ | GOAL – Mohammedan SC | Lalremsanga Fanai (Asst: H. Mondal) |
| HT | Half Time | Punjab FC 0 – 1 Mohammedan SC |
| 47′ | Substitution – Punjab FC | Pramveer Singh IN, Suresh Meitei OUT |
| 47′ | Substitution – Punjab FC | Muhammad Suhail F IN, Manglenthang Kipgen OUT |
| 48′ | GOAL – Punjab FC | Effiong Nsungusi (Asst: S. Zeljkovic) |
| 49′ | Yellow Card – Mohammedan SC | Yash Chickro (#5) |
| 51′ | Yellow Card – Mohammedan SC | Gaurav Bora (#4) |
| 53′ | GOAL – Punjab FC | Dani Ramirez (Asst: B.A. Osuji) |
| 68′ | Substitution – Mohammedan SC | Lalthankima IN, Makan Chothe OUT |
| 70′ | Yellow Card – Punjab FC | Khaiminthang Lhungdim (#12) |
| 73′ | Yellow Card – Punjab FC | Bede Amarachi Osuji (#40) |
| 79′ | Substitution – Punjab FC | Ninthoinganba Meetei IN, B.A. Osuji OUT |
| 79′ | Substitution – Mohammedan SC | Adison Singh IN, Lalremsanga Fanai OUT |
| 79′ | Substitution – Mohammedan SC | Md Fardin Ali Molla IN, Israfil Dewan OUT |
| 87′ | Substitution – Mohammedan SC | Jeremy Laldinpuia IN, Roy Mahitosh OUT |
| 90+7′ | Full Time | Punjab FC 2 – 1 Mohammedan SC |
Star Players of the Match
Effiong Nsungusi was Punjab FC’s hero. The striker’s equalizer in the 48th minute changed the entire match and gave his team massive belief to go and win the game.
Dani Ramirez was brilliant in the second half. The midfielder scored the winning goal and was constantly involved in Punjab FC’s best moves and attacking combinations.
Srecko Zeljkovic also had a great game. His assist for the Nsungusi goal showed his quality and ability to unlock defenses with precise passing in tight spaces.
For Mohammedan SC, Lalremsanga Fanai was the standout performer. His 30th-minute goal gave the visitors the lead, and his energy troubled the Punjab FC backline.
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Conclusion: Punjab FC Deserves the Win
Punjab FC fully deserved their victory at the Guru Nanak Stadium. Their dominance in possession, with 76% of the ball, showed they controlled the game overall.
This win will boost Punjab FC’s confidence and their position in the ISL standings. They showed real character and fighting spirit to come from behind and claim all three points.
Mohammedan SC will feel disappointed with this result after leading at halftime. They will need to regroup quickly as the ISL 2025-26 season reaches its crucial stage.
