Punjab FC, currently in impressive form, seeks their second straight win as they take on Sporting Club Delhi in the Northern derby at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this Saturday.
Having remained unbeaten in six of their last seven matches, Punjab FC sits seventh in the standings with 14 points from eight games. With two games in hand over most teams above them, a victory on Saturday could propel them up the table and narrow the gap with the top teams.
In their recent match, Punjab FC bounced back from a loss to Mohun Bagan Super Giant by defeating Inter Kashi 3-0 in New Delhi, courtesy of goals from Samir Zeljković, Nsungusi Effiong, and Bede Osuji, marking their fourth win of the season.
Sporting Club Delhi, on the other hand, heads into the game following a 2-2 draw against bottom-placed Mohammedan SC. Despite a slow start, they have shown improvement, losing only once in their last five matches, with two wins and two draws, accumulating nine points from nine games.
Punjab FC’s Head Coach Panagiotis Dilmperis expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing the need to address individual mistakes to enhance concentration and overall performance. The team’s attacking prowess, led by Effiong, Ramirez, Osuji, and Kipgen, has been exceptional, with Effiong ranking third in the league with seven goals.
The defensive duo of Bijoy Varghese and Pramveer Singh, supported by Ricky Shabong, has been solid at the back, with Ricky leading the league in interceptions, tackles, and recoveries. Forward Bede Amarachi Osuji praised the club’s professionalism and detailed approach to training, expressing a collective desire for continuous improvement.
Looking ahead to the match, Dilmperis acknowledged the challenge posed by Sporting Club Delhi, highlighting their strong players and young coach. He noted Delhi’s advantage in nearing their season target of avoiding relegation, contrasting Punjab FC’s ongoing battle to climb up the table.
In the first-ever Northern Derby, Punjab FC aims to maintain their upward trajectory in the standings and keep pressure on higher-ranked teams, while Sporting Club Delhi seeks to make an impact in the derby on their home turf.
