New Delhi: A confident Punjab FC (PFC) will face FC Goa tomorrow to continue their good run of form in Round 19 of the Indian Super League 2023-24 season which will be played here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 7:30 PM. The Shers will jump to sixth with a win against the fourth placed FC Goa, going one step ahead in the playoffs. Punjab edged out NorthEast United by a solitary goal in their previous match at Guwahati while Goa did the same to East Bengal at home. FC Goa are going through a lean patch winning just one game in their previous six matches.
Speaking ahead of the game, PFC Assistant Coach Sankarlal Chakraborty said, “It was a very good result in the previous match for us and the three points were crucial. The players are confident for tomorrow and they will put in a better performance tomorrow. Goa has a balanced side and they are a tough opponent. When we faced them last time, it was the beginning of the season and we were just getting our step in the league. We have made a few changes to the structure of the team after the break and the results have been positive and we hope to continue doing them tomorrow.”
In the reverse fixture played in Goa, the home side edged out Punjab FC by a solitary goal from Carlos Martinez.
Madih Talal has been in terrific form throughout the season scoring four goals and assisting in another six, which is the joint highest in the league. He has also created 41 chances, which is the highest in the league by some distance. The striking pair of Luka Majcen and Wilmar Jordan have scored six and five goals each and along with Talal have been a fearsome attacking trio. The midfield has been successful in being the bridge between the defence and attack line with Ricky Shabong and Nikhil Prabhu putting in standout performances. Nikhil will unfortunately miss tomorrow’s game due to suspension.
PFC defender Nitesh Darjee during the pre – match press conference said, “We have been performing well after the change in formation. We have been playing good football in the last few games and we hope to continue playing in the same way. The atmosphere in the dressing room is really good now and we hope to play well tomorrow and get all three points.”
Punjab FC are currently ninth on the table with 20 points from 18 matches while FC Goa are fourth in the table with 32 points from 17 matches.
