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New Delhi, March 02 (HS). Mumbai City FC defeated Punjab FC 3-2 in the first match of the double header of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 Matchweek 18 played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday. In Mumbai City FC's victory, winger Lallianzuala Chhangte scored in the 16th minute and Spanish striker Iker Guarotxena scored in the 53rd and 64th minutes. Mumbai City right-back Jayesh Rane was declared player of the match for assisting two goals.
Czech head coach Peter Kratky will surely be feeling relieved after the Islanders' hard-fought win today. Mumbai City FC has moved from third to second in the table with 35 points from 17 matches with ten wins, five draws and two losses. At the same time, Greek head coach Stychos Vargatis will be disappointed with the defeat of Punjab FC. Punjab FC remains at the tenth position in the table with 17 points from 17 matches with four wins, five draws and eight losses.
The first goal of the match came in the 16th minute, when winger Lallianzuala Chhangte gave Mumbai City an early lead, making the score 1–0. Winger Bipin Singh's shot from the left inside the box was blocked by goalkeeper Ravi Kumar but on the rebound, Chhangte took the ball to the right side with a left footer and crossed the goal line.
In the 37th minute, French playmaker Madih Talal scored a goal to bring Punjab FC to a 1-1 draw. Colombian striker Wilmer Jordan Gil minus the ball to Talal after receiving a through-pass inside the box. After entering inside the box, Talal hit a sharp left footer and entangled the ball in the top right corner of the net, while Mumbai City goalkeeper Purba Lachenpa could not save despite jumping in the air. This is Talal's fourth goal of the season.
In the 39th minute, Colombian striker Wilmer Jordan Gil scored his fourth goal of this season, giving Punjab FC the lead and making the score 2-1. French playmaker Madih Talal, after entering the box on the left side, gave a cross and centered the ball towards the second post and Gill, who was present there, sent the ball inside the bottom right corner with a header while Mumbai City goalkeeper Purba Lachenpa stood watching. Remained. This is Talal's sixth assist of the season.
In the 53rd minute, Spanish striker Iker Guarotxena scored a goal to bring Mumbai City FC to a 2-2 draw. After taking a pass from right-back Jayesh Rane, Iker Guarotxena took the ball from the attacking third and entered inside the box, penetrating the entire defense of Punjab FC and then he took a shot, which was blocked by goalkeeper Ravi Kumar but the ball went past Iker. And he sent the ball across the goal line with his right foot.
In the 64th minute, Spanish striker Iker Guarotxena scored his second goal, giving Mumbai City FC the lead again, making the score 3-2. Jayesh Rane made a through-pass to the attacking third from near the halfway line, where Iker took the ball and entered the box and then fired the ball into the bottom right corner with his right foot.
Punjab FC had the upper hand in the first half, although Mumbai City took the initial lead with the goal of Lallianzuala Chhangte, but Punjab FC made a comeback and maintained the lead with goals from Wilmer Jordan Gill and Madih Talal. So Punjab FC went to the half time break with the score 2-1. Mumbai City FC had more ball control at 70 percent. The Islanders scored seven tries, four of which were shots on target. At the same time, despite having only 30 percent possession of the ball, Punjab FC put up a tough fight, making five attempts and four shots on target.