Punjab FC won their fifth match of the Indian Super League 2024-25 as they breezed past Mumbai City FC 3-0 at the Mumbai Football Arena on Tuesday, November 26. (Highlights | More Football News)
The hosts started on an attacking note, threatening Punjab FC's defence a lot of times early in the match. However, the Shers defenders managed to deny the Highlanders attackers every time.
Punjab made a few attacks in the first half but their long-range shots could not find the target until one finally did. Pulga Vidal's shot from outside the box kept going away from the Highlanders goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa and went into the top left corner for the opening goal of the match.
Just 10 minutes on the other side of the break, Filip Mrzljak drew a foul in the box to get a penalty which was easily converted by Luka Majcen to double the lead of the Shers.
The Highlanders kept the ball for the majority of period on both sides of the break but just could not clear the goalline. The one time they finally managed to cross the goalline, the referee could not see it, denying them their opener in the 77th minute.
The match then saw a bit of controversy and despite replays showing the ball clearly crossing the line entirely and a lot of discussion on the pitch, the on-field call was held and Ravi Kumar, the Punjab FC goalkeeper who made at least two brilliant saves, managed to keep a clean sheet.
Mushaga Bakenga then tripled the advantage for Punjab and killed any hope that the fans at Mumbai Football Arena had of their team making a comeback. Bakenga too took his shot from the edge of the box and beat Lachenpa to the bottom left corner.
Punjab FC jump up to the fourth place level on points with third placed NorthEast United FC and just two points away from leaders Mohun Bagan.
Mumbai City FC stay stuck at the tenth spot which is fourth from bottom with just two wins from eight outings.
