MARGAO, INDIA: Punjab FC have been one of the most exhilarating teams to watch in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season. Three games into the campaign, the Shers are still unbeaten and perched as high as the second spot. Their most recent result was a 3-2 victory at Churchill Brothers. NorthEast United FC, with the same points (7), lead the table only due to their better goal difference (+4 and +2).
The most noticeable pattern about Punjab FC is their tendency to score late, match-saving goals. In their opener, Raphael Messi Bouli scored off the final kick to hand them all three points against Odisha FC at home, whereas Gurkirat Singh did much the same in their next game against Mumbai City FC. Sanathoi Singh’s stoppage-time goal, meanwhile, helped them beat legacy Goan club Churchill Brothers away from home.
While most of the credit for this goes to their staff for imbuing a never-say-die spirit in the dressing room, the strategy followed by head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis is behind this stunning transformation. Punjab FC’s proclivity to score in what is known as Fergie-time (after Manchester United’s habit of scoring late goals under Sir Alex Ferguson) has made them one of the key challengers for the ISL Shield.
Has the investment in youth paid rich dividends?
Punjab FC are also one of the few ISL sides that have invested heavily in youth. Naturally, this has been one of the reasons behind their energy-filled showing in the second half of all their games. Messi Bouli, funnily, scored in the first and final minutes of their ISL opener against Odisha, but the numbers shocked no one. Compared to the six shots they had taken in the first half, Punjab took 11 in the second.
They also made 20 touches in their opponents’ box in the second half, showing that penetrating the final third was becoming a speciality of theirs late in the game. To put things into perspective, they had made just eight touches in the Odisha box in the first 45 minutes, even after Thoiba Singh had nullified their lead with a headed goal off a corner kick in the 15th minute.
The presence of youth in the Punjab squad made the job of attacking in the second half easier. While winger Muhammad Suhail was hooked off in the 74th minute after completing the most dribbles (3), youngsters Bishu Sharma and Vishal Yadav were brought on, specifically to reinforce the direct nature of their attack. Bishu ended with 89% passing accuracy after setting up Messi Bouli’s second goal, while Yadav won all ground duels he entered into and created a crucial chance.
Gurkirat Singh scored against his former club Mumbai City
Against Mumbai City, it was the turn of former Islander Gurkirat Singh to show his ex-club what a mistake they had made by letting him leave in 2024. Taking the lead after Punjab FC defender Bijoy Varghese slipped inside the box and conceded a penalty, Mumbai were shocked out of their wits when Gurkirat headed home from a corner kick from Sanathoi Singh. But everyone following the ISL knew that it was a long time coming.
Punjab FC’s shape remained intact for most of the game, with Yadav starting on the right flank this time. He was taken off ten minutes after half-time after ending with 100% accuracy in setting up long balls. Their 4-2-3-1 formation suffered from doubts when teenage midfielder Rishikanta Meitei had to be substituted in the first half due to an injury, but Bishu came on and barely let his emotions show.
The youngster completed 13 out of 19 passes and quickly slotted in beside Ricky Shabong to marshal the Shers‘ midfield and protect their defensive shape. However, this game provided an opportunity for another young player to shine – Arshvir Singh. The midfielder was brought on in the second half and created the most chances (3), with 100% accuracy in crossing the ball.
Sanathoi Singh had 100% shooting accuracy against Churchill Brothers
Sanathoi, who would go on to score their winner against Churchill Brothers, also came off the bench against Mumbai City and set up Gurkirat’s goal from the corner, before ending the game with 100% passing accuracy. He did well to repay the faith coach Dermitzakis had shown in him by tracking back just as smoothly, winning 100% of all the ground duels he entered into.
By taking both his wingers off in the second half against the Islanders, Dermitzakis added a splash of pace which would help Messi Bouli inside the box and allow attacking midfielder Diogo Raposo more creativity. Sanathoi’s finest hour would come against Churchill Brothers on a hot Sunday afternoon in Margāo, and this, too, was another masterclass by the Greek tactician sitting on the Punjab FC bench.
Tied 2-2 at half-time after Churchill Brothers fought back to nullify their visitors’ lead twice, the game appeared to be ending in a snooze fest until Messi Bouli received a headed back pass from Gurkirat Singh and set Sanathoi up on the left flank. The 19-year-old placed it comfortably wide of the Churchill goalkeeper and sent a blanket wave of funerary silence across Fatorda Stadium.
Punjab FC can become serious challengers for the ISL Shield
While there were protests from Churchill Brothers’ fans and owners about Messi Bouli appearing to handle the ball, the goal stood, giving Punjab FC all three points and helping them retain their unbeaten status in the ISL. Here, too, Arshvir, coming on in the second half, completed three out of five long balls while Yadav ended with 100% success in dribbling. Sanathoi too ended with 100% shooting accuracy.
Punjab FC’s confidence in their shape as well as their faith in their youth have been two of their biggest pillars of success in the ISL this season. Coach Dermitzakis has rotated his players well, while allowing senior overseas players Messi Bouli and Alfred Planas enough game time to get used to their Indian teammates’ movements. Such an unfaltering approach is rare, but refreshing, to see.
The distant cold dawn of glory is still far for Punjab FC, with the ISL title not expected to be decided until May next year. But the way they have begun, and the immense faith they have shown in youth – which has been repaid in equal measure – makes them one of the most dangerous aspirants to challenge the hegemony of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
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Cover image courtesy: Punjab FC
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