Punjab FC will aim to extend their unbeaten streak in the Indian Super League 2025-26 season as they face winless Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The match is set for a 19:30 IST kickoff and will be broadcast live on FanCode and telecast on Sony Sports TEN 2. Punjab FC, having bounced back from their initial loss to Jamshedpur FC, have maintained an unbeaten record in their last three fixtures. This includes a victory over Bengaluru FC and draws against NorthEast United FC and FC Goa. In contrast, Kerala Blasters have struggled at the start of the season, losing their first four matches, including three at home. Their recent improvement came in a 1-1 draw against East Bengal, where Muhammad Ajsal scored a stoppage-time equalizer. However, they remain without a win, with their top scorer, Nsungusi Effiong, suspended for the next three matches due to a red card in their draw against FC Goa. Kerala Blasters head coach David Català acknowledged their progress but emphasized the need for continued belief. “We performed better than in other games last match. We showed character and competed, especially in the first half. I’m satisfied with the point, but not with the overall situation,” he said. The team currently sits eighth in the league with five points from four matches, while Kerala Blasters are 13th with just one point from five games. Punjab FC’s head coach, Panagiotis Dilmperis, highlighted the team’s attacking strengths and the importance of quick decision-making. “We were better than our opponents in every game this season. We didn’t let them into our box and created plenty of chances. The key is quicker finishing and scoring goals,” he stated.#kerala_blasters #jawaharlal_nehru_stadium #punjab_fc #fancode #sony_sports_ten_2
Kerala Blasters ended a four-game losing streak in the Indian Super League (ISL) after a stoppage-time equalizer by Muhammed Ajsal in an away match against East Bengal. The result marked a crucial turning point for the Kochi-based team, which had struggled to find form at the start of the season. The draw came after a series of consecutive defeats, with Ajsal’s late goal providing a much-needed boost to the squad’s morale. Kerala Blasters will now look to build on this momentum as they host Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday. However, the team faces significant challenges in their quest for consistency. Struggles in attack have persisted, with the side failing to score in open play during recent matches. The lack of a reliable playmaker and defensive vulnerabilities have further compounded their difficulties, leaving them reliant on set-pieces and last-minute efforts to find goals. Punjab FC, meanwhile, enters the clash as a mid-table team on a resurgence. After an initial loss to Jamshedpur FC, the visitors have since secured victories over Bengaluru FC and drawn with NorthEast United and FC Goa. Their improved form has positioned them as a formidable opponent, particularly given their ability to maintain a compact defense. Coach David Catala acknowledged Punjab’s strength in midfield and emphasized the need for Kerala Blasters to adopt a disciplined approach. “Punjab is very compact in defense, and it’s difficult to make a comeback when they score first. We will do our best to control the game. We have to improve our defense and show the same attitude and energy we displayed against East Bengal,” Catala said. The match will also see Punjab FC without key striker Effiong Nsungusi, who was sent off in their previous encounter against FC Goa.#kerala_blasters #jawaharlal_nehru_stadium #punjab_fc #east_bengal #muhammed_ajsal
Unbeaten FC Goa face Punjab FC FC Goa will look to continue their unbeaten run when they face Punjab FC in the Indian Super League 2025-26 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Monday, March 16, 2026. The match is set for a 19:30 IST kickoff and will be broadcast live on FanCode and Sony Sports TEN 2. FC Goa, currently fourth in the league table with eight points from four matches, have remained undefeated in their opening four games of the season, securing two wins and two draws. Punjab FC, meanwhile, are eighth with four points from three matches and have also maintained an unbeaten record in their last two fixtures. The Goan side’s recent draw against East Bengal FC in Kolkata ended 0-0, while Punjab were held to a 1-1 draw by NorthEast United in New Delhi. Ahead of the encounter, FC Goa head coach Manolo Márquez emphasized the team’s focus on maintaining their attacking style and possession-based play. “Against East Bengal, the team played with a lot of personality and kept possession for long periods. We would like to continue playing in the same way against Punjab,” he said. Márquez also praised Punjab’s defensive resilience, noting, “They are a strong side that plays with intensity and pace and they have started the season well. It will definitely be a challenging match for us.” Punjab FC head coach Pangiotis Dilmperis acknowledged the need for improved finishing and decision-making, citing their previous match against NorthEast United. “We delivered the ball into the opponent’s box 26 times while they entered ours only twice. We must improve our finishing and decision-making to convert those opportunities into goals,” he said. Dilmperis also expressed respect for FC Goa, stating, “They are a very good team with a clear plan and strong players.#jawaharlal_nehru_stadium #punjab_fc #fc_goa #manolo_marquez #pangiotis_dilmperis
ISL: FC Goa ready for Punjab’s big push FC Goa have never lost to Punjab FC in their history, but the encounters have always been tightly contested. Over six meetings, Punjab has taken the lead in three of them, only for Goa to overturn the deficit. A memorable match saw a disallowed goal by Luka Majcen, while another ended in a 3-3 draw in Delhi. A dramatic late comeback in the 2025 Super Cup, where Borja Herrera equalized and Mohammed Yasir scored in added time, highlighted Goa’s resilience. Coach Manolo Marquez admitted the upcoming clash against Punjab would be the most challenging of the five matches in the ISL. “Punjab have the same coach, a very good one, and most of the Indian players have continued,” Manolo said during a pre-match press conference. He noted that conversations with his players during the national camp revealed their high training intensity, which translates into their game approach. Goa’s unbeaten run in four matches so far has been built on solid defensive performances, with only one goal conceded in their opener against Inter Kashi. The backline, anchored by captain Sandesh Jhingan and Pol Moreno, has been nearly flawless, but the lack of goal-scoring from domestic players remains a concern. Three of Goa’s four goals have come from foreign players, including two penalties scored by Dejan Drazic. Moreno also contributed with a crucial goal against Mohammedan Sporting, converting a corner kick. Manolo acknowledged the struggles of Indian forwards, citing missed chances by Ishan Pandita, Boris Singh, Udanta Singh, Raynier Fernandes, and Brison. “There have been clear opportunities, but bad luck has hindered results,” he said. Despite this, he praised the progress of his Indian players, emphasizing the importance of giving them more playing time.#punjab_fc #fc_goa #manolo_marquez #island_super_league #sandesh_jhingan
FC Goa Take On Punjab FC in ISL Clash on March 16 The Indian Super League (ISL) will host a high-stakes match on March 16 as FC Goa take on Punjab FC. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm, marking another pivotal moment in the league's competitive calendar. This encounter is expected to draw significant attention from fans and analysts alike, given the teams' recent performances and the stakes involved in the tournament. In the days leading up to the match, the sports landscape in India remained dynamic, with several notable achievements across different disciplines. In athletics, Indian triple jumper Selva Prabhu secured a silver medal at the NCAA Indoor Championships, showcasing the country's growing presence in international competitions. Meanwhile, in boxing, Chandrika claimed gold, while three other Indian athletes earned silver medals at the World Boxing Futures Cup. These results highlight the depth of talent emerging from Indian sports. The ISL itself has seen a series of thrilling matches, with Mumbai City FC defeating Inter Kashi 2-1 and NorthEast United FC overcoming Jamshedpur FC 2-1 in previous fixtures. These outcomes underscore the intensity of the league and the challenges teams face in maintaining consistency throughout the season. As the 2026 calendar year approaches, the sports calendar in India is set to become even more packed. The year will feature major events such as the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and two Chess World Championships, all of which are expected to draw global attention. For now, the focus remains on the ISL clash between FC Goa and Punjab FC, a match that could shape the league's narrative in the coming weeks.#punjab_fc #fc_goa #isl #ncaa_indoor_championships #world_boxing_futures_cup
ISL: Punjab FC Seek Consecutive Wins Against NorthEast United FC Punjab FC aims to extend their winning streak as they prepare to face NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League 2025-26 on March 9. The match, set to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, marks a crucial encounter for both teams. Punjab FC, currently ninth in the league table with three points from two matches, will look to build on their recent 2-0 victory over Bengaluru FC. NorthEast United, meanwhile, remains winless in the league after drawing 1-1 with Mumbai City FC in their last fixture. Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis emphasized the team’s focus on holistic development, stating that their training regimen aims to enhance players’ physical, technical, tactical, and mental abilities. He also highlighted the importance of adapting strategies to counter their opponents, ensuring players are prepared for the challenges of real-game scenarios. Dilmperis praised NorthEast United’s intensity and attacking style, noting their young squad’s determination to establish themselves in Indian football. NorthEast United’s head coach, Juan Pedro Benali, acknowledged the difficulties posed by their fourth consecutive away game. He admitted that frequent travel reduces recovery and training time but stressed the team’s commitment to delivering results. Benali praised his players for their dedication to the club and the support from the staff and management, which he said is vital for inspiring performances. The two teams have a history of four encounters in the ISL, with each securing one win and two draws. Their most recent meeting in January 2025 ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with Alaaeddine Ajaraie and Khaimingthang Lhungdim scoring for their respective sides.#jawaharlal_nehru_stadium #punjab_fc #panagiotis_dilmperis #north_east_united_fc #juan_pedro_benali
ISL | Punjab wary of NEUFC threat Punjab FC aims to capitalize on its recent victory over Bengaluru FC by facing NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Monday. The team’s head coach, Panagiotis Dilmperis, emphasized the need to remain cautious against the Guwahati-based side, which has yet to secure a win in the tournament. Punjab’s confidence stems from its 2-0 away triumph against Bengaluru, where Nigerian forward Effiong Nsunsugi scored twice in the first half. However, Dilmperis acknowledged areas for improvement, noting that the team’s discipline and concentration were lacking during the match. “There were certain moments in the game when the players did not have the desired discipline or concentration. This is my main concern, and we are working during the week on these moments,” he said during a virtual pre-match media conference. NEUFC, on the other hand, has struggled to find form, losing its opening fixture to East Bengal and drawing its subsequent two games. Dilmperis highlighted the team’s attacking potential, particularly its hardworking midfield and the ambition of its young players. “NEUFC has many attacking patterns, especially with a hardworking midfield. It is a very active and aggressive team with young players who are hungry to prove themselves in Indian football,” he added. The coach stressed the importance of adapting strategies to counter NEUFC’s strengths. “We focus on certain things related to the opponent, which helps us prepare the players and the team for real game conditions,” he explained. Punjab’s focus will be on maintaining composure and addressing the tactical lapses that cost them points in previous matches.#jawaharlal_nehru_stadium #punjab_fc #panagiotis_dilmperis #north_east_united_fc #effiong_nsunsugi
