New Delhi, March 17: In a remarkable display of resilience, Punjab FC managed to secure a 1-1 draw against FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season, despite being reduced to ten players. The match, held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, saw FC Goa maintain their unbeaten streak, now sitting fourth in the points table with nine points, while Punjab FC remains in eighth place with five points. FC Goa’s Dejan Dragić was named ‘Player of the Match’.
Punjab FC started strong, controlling possession early on and applying pressure from both flanks. Left-back Muhammad Uwais delivered several dangerous crosses, and in the 15th minute, the home team took their first shot on goal from a corner kick taken by Dani Ramírez, which was safely caught by FC Goa’s goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari.
Maintaining their momentum, Punjab FC was rewarded in the 27th minute when a midfield play culminated in a precise through-ball from Mangalenthang Kipgen to Nsungusi Junior Afiong. The striker displayed remarkable composure, curling the ball into the top corner with his left foot, giving Punjab the lead.
As the first half progressed, Punjab continued to apply pressure. In the 37th minute, Ramírez tested Tiwari with a long-range shot, and shortly after, Tiwari easily caught a shot from Nsungusi Junior. Kipgen also tried his luck from distance, but his shot missed the target. FC Goa struggled to clear their defensive line for most of the half, but in stoppage time, they came close to equalizing when Sandesh Jhingan’s header from Dragić’s cross went just wide, followed by a missed opportunity from Pol Moreno.
The second half took a dramatic turn just three minutes after the restart when Punjab’s goalscorer, Nsungusi Junior, received a red card, leaving his team with ten players. FC Goa quickly capitalized on this advantage. In the 53rd minute, Brison Fernandes passed the ball to Dragić, who unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box that found the bottom corner, leveling the score at 1-1. Goa continued to press forward, with Udanta Singh’s header from a corner going just over the bar in the 60th minute, and Dragić missing a simple header from a well-placed cross shortly after.
In the 71st minute, Punjab’s substitute striker Bede Osuji created a chance for Kipgen inside the box, but the midfielder’s shot lacked power, allowing Tiwari to make an easy save. In the closing moments of the match, Goa searched for a winning goal. In the 79th minute, Arshdeep Singh saved a header from Mohammad Yasir, while both Reinier Fernandes and Dragić missed late chances to score. Punjab held firm in stoppage time, with Arshdeep safely catching Brison Fernandes’ final shot.