NEUFC Lose Crucial Points in 1-1 Draw Against Punjab FC

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) dropped two critical points in their home game on Friday evening, settling for a 1-1 draw against Punjab FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in the ongoing ISL.

The Highlanders started the game on a promising note, applying consistent pressure on Punjab FC’s defense. Their early dominance paid off in the 24th minute when Ajaraie found the back of the net. The move began with Melroy Melwin Assisi’s attempt to clear a long ball into Punjab FC’s half, which instead landed at Macarton Nickson’s feet far from the box. Spotting a defensive gap, Nickson unleashed a powerful long-range effort that Punjab FC goalkeeper Muheet Shabir Khan barely managed to parry away to his left. Ajaraie, positioned perfectly to avoid an offside call, seized the rebound and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, giving NEUFC a well-deserved lead.

However, Punjab FC turned the tide in the latter stages of the match, thanks to impactful substitutions. Muhammad Suhail F entered the fray in the 75th minute and made his mark shortly after. In the 82nd minute, Suhail burst down the left flank, exploiting a momentary lapse in the NEUFC defense. His shot was parried by NEUFC goalkeeper Gurmeet, but the rebound fell near to Khaiminthang Lhungdim on the right side of the box. Lhungdim displayed excellent composure and technique, curling the ball past NEUFC’s defenders and into the bottom right corner to level the score.

It was the 15th match for NEUFC in this edition of the league and they are now placed at 5th place collecting 23 points. Punjab FC are at eighth place earning 19 points from 14 games.

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