IMAGE: The draw lifted Punjab FC to eighth spot while NorthEast United FC remained 10th. Photograph: ISL/X
Key Points
- Punjab FC and NorthEast United FC played to a 1-1 draw in their recent Indian Super League (ISL) match.
- Parthib Gogoi scored for NorthEast United FC, but Nsungusi Jr Effiong quickly equalised for Punjab FC.
- The draw moves Punjab FC up to eighth place in the ISL standings, while NorthEast United FC remains in tenth.
Two second-half goals saw Punjab FC hold NorthEast United FC to a 1-1 draw in their Indian Super League match in New Delhi on Monday.
Parthib Gogoi gave NorthEast United the lead at the hour mark, only to see home side’s Nigerian striker Nsungusi Jr Effiong equalise three minutes later.
The 1-1 result meant Punjab improved one spot to move up to eighth on the table with four points with a game in hand, while the Highlanders remained on 10th with three points after four games.
The visitors had the better share of exchanges in the first quarter of an hour, a couple of early corners leading to Spanish centre-back Michel Zabaco missing a golden opportunity, after Lalrinzuala had found him free with a measured cross from the left flank.
A minute later, NorthEast United winger Jithin MS also found some space to dink one across and above the keeper, but he too missed the target.
Punjab then had a good spell and Spanish midfielder Daniel Ramirez missed a free header, followed by Effiong having his first shot on target.
Dilmperis was forced onto a double substitution at the half-hour mark as Nikhil Prabhu got injured and Suhail created two chances near the close of the half. Gogoi, though, had the last great chance of the half, but the dreadlock could not be broken.
Second-half goals determine the outcome
The second half initially saw some scrappy play with three bookings in the first few minutes, but soon the goal came when Parthib latched on to a loose ball after Rinzuala was boxed in by three defenders. He controlled wonderfully to drive forward and slot it with composure past Arshdeep Singh’s right to give the Highlanders the lead.
The equaliser came instantly after Suhail, who had been a livewire down the left since coming on, won yet another of his battles with Redeem Talang, to burst into the box and cut back in for Effiong to tap in on the turn.
It was the Nigerian’s third goal of the ISL season, and third in two games.
