Three first half goals handed Punjab FC a comfortable 3-0 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC in the Group C opener of the Super Cup here on Monday. Muhammad Suhail, Nikhil Prabhu and Princeton Rebello scored the goals for the winners as they secured all three points.
Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis opted for a midfield heavy starting line-up with Nikhil Prabhu, Princeton Rebello, Manglengthang Kipgen and new signing Samir Zeljkovic in the centre of the pitch with Muhammad Suhail and Ninthoinganba Meetei attacking through the wings.
Bijoy Varghese and Suresh Meitei started in centre defence with Khaimingthang Lhungdim and Muhammed Uvais as wingbacks. On the other end, Gokulam Kerala head coach Jose Carlos named a strong lineup with three Spaniards starting.
Samir Zeljkovic tested Shibinraj Kunniyil in the opposition goal with a long ranger in the first minute of the game, which was pushed away. Punjab took the lead in the very next minute with Muhammad Suhail continuing his goal-scoring form. He cut inside from the left wing and his attempted cross took a huge deflection off Gursimrat Singh and found the net, wrong-footing the goalkeeper.
Punjab continued to put pressure on the opposition with Kipgen forcing a diving save off the goalkeeper. The resultant corner taken by Princeton Rebello was diverted expertly by Nikhil Prabhu, who found himself free inside the box to give his side a two goal lead.
Gokulam, stunned by conceding an early two-goal lead, came into the game in the next phase with Eduardo Martinez hitting the crossbar twice, once from a direct freekick.
Former Punjab FC player Samuel Kynshi Lyngdoh then forced an acrobatic save out of Muheet Shabir. The Malabarians controlled the next phase of the game, maintaining possession as Punjab slowed down their pressing in the midfield but the defensive line was strong, denying any space for the Gokulam attackers.
Punjab scored their third goal two minutes before the break with Princeton Rebello scoring his first for the Shers. The local boy received the ball in the edge of the box from Suhail and his right-footed shot found the bottom corner, beyond the outstretched hands of the goalkeeper as Punjab went into the break with a commanding lead.
Also read: Super Cup kicks off in Goa on Oct 25
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