ISL 2024-25, Kerala Blasters FC vs Punjab FC Highlights: PFC Stun KBFC 2-1

FULL TIME!

Punjab beat Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 to pull off a huge upset!

Luka Majcen scored from a penalty in the 86th minute before KBFC hit back through Jesus Jiminez in the second minute of additional time.

The Shers turned the game around with a late strike as Filip Mrzljak scored in the 96th minute to give the Shers a huge win in their opening game of the season.

KBFC 1-2 PFC

Punjab pull ahead!

Filip Mrzljak nets late!

Yet another turn in the tale as Punjab pull off a miracle.

A brilliant ball played into the danger area and Mrzljak latches on to it instinctively to send the away fans into delirium!

What a moment for the visitors! Home crowd stunned into silence!

KBFC 1-2 PFC

Jiminez nets with a header to restore parity!

What a game!

Two goals in quick fashion and we are all level again!

KBFC 1-1 PFC

Punjab go ahead as Luka Majcen nets from the spot!

The Shers go ahead with very little time left to play!

KBFC 0-1 PFC

Over three quarters of the game done and we still await the strike to break the deadlock.

Kerala look to keep their opponents at bay by maintaining the tempo of the game that they intend to dictate at the closing phases of the fixture.

A game of few chances this so far. And such games are usually decided by that one moment of inspiration.

KBF 0-0 PFC

Kerala venture up the field with intent as they attack the flanks with Noah running with freedom, but the moves eventually fizzle out and the scoreboard is still the same.

Pritham looks to put his team ahead with a adventurous shot from way out, but his strike does little to move the keeper as the attempt misses the mark by quite a bit.

KBFC 0-0 PFC

The second period of the game is off to a crisp start as a couple of hard tackle go in.

With the words of the managers still ringing in their ears, the players look focused on the task at hand!

Will the second period give you a goal at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi?

KBFC 0-0 PFC

SECOND HALF!

The final period of the game in underway!

KBFC 0-0 PFC

HALF TIME!

Nothing to separate the teams at the break!

KBFC 0-0 PFC

Punjab think they have the opening goal of the game, but the linesman raises his flag and the strike is chalked off.

KBFC 0-0 PFC

Over half an hour of football played at Kochi and the Nehru Stadium awaits the first goal of the season.

Kerala are being thwarted from their forays into attacking third.

A midfield battle being fought here with both teams cancelling each other’s effort out in the middle of the park.

KBFC have a chance to inch ahead with a delightful cross into the danger area from the left flank, but the ball in is too high for the Kerala striker to get his head to and another chance goes begging.

KBFC 0-0 PFC

KBFC have seen most of the ball, but Punjab are not taking it lying down as they venture forward on the flanks looking for a way to break the deadlock.

But, Kerala manage to stop the impending danger time and again to keep the tourists at bay.

KBFC 0-0 PFC

The players seem all warmed up and in the flow of things as KBFC look to surge forward in search of the opener.

A couple of well-knit moves in the attacking half of the field, but the Punjab back line cuts the developing danger in the knick of time to keep the scoreboard from ticking.

Punjab surge forward on the overturn of play and receive a free kick from the left, but the resulting cross into the box is cleared away by the home defence as they get to the aerial ball and get it out of immediate danger.

KBFC 0-0 PFC

The game is up and running right from the offing as both teams vie for the ball in the early knockings of the game.

The Kerala faithful show their love for the hosts as they make the Nehru Stadium a daunting place for the visitors time and again.

KBFC have the bigger share of the ball, but Punjab hold their lines to begin the proceedings.

KBFC 0-0 PFC

KICKOFF!

Kerala Blasters get the game underway against Punjab FC!

KBFC 0-0 PFC

The stars are here as the fans make their way to their seats. The players get their final touched in ahead of the kickoff and are cheered on by the yellow faithful, who have painted the stadium per usual!

The boisterous KBFC faithful start to fill in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi ahead of the impending kick off!

The passionate fanbase will no doubt rally behind their favourite team for their fixture against the side from Punjab.

PFC Starting XI: Ravi, Nikhil, Bakenga, Vidal, Lhungdim, Vinit, Filip, Abhishek, Ivan, Suresh, Nihal!

KBFC Starting XI: Sachin, Sandeep, Pritham, Milos, Saheef, Rahul, Freddy, Coeff, Aimen, Noah, Peprah!

Punjab FC Starting XI:

Kerala Blasters Starting XI:

Punjab FC Full Squad List: Ravi Kumar, Muheet Shabir, Ayush Deshwal, Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Melroy Assisi, Likmabam Rakesh Meitei, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Ivan Novoselec, Nitesh Darjee, Nongmeikapam Suresh Meitei, Nikhil Prabhu, Ricky John Shabong, Samuel Kynshi Lyndoh, Vinit Rai, Manglenthang Kipgen, Ashis Pradhan, Filip Mrzljak, Shami Singamayum, Asmir Suljic, Mushagalusa Bakenga, Ezequiel Vidal, Mohammed Suhail F., Leon Augustine, Ninthoinganba Meetei, Nihal Sudeesh, Luka Majcen

Kerala Blasters FC Full Squad List: Sachin Suresh, Nora Fernandes, Som Kumar, Aibanbha Kupar Dohling, Alexandre Serge Coeff, Bijoy Varghese, Hormipam Ruivah, Likmabam Rakesh Singh Meitei, Milos Drincic, Naocha Singh Huidrom, Prabir Das, Soraisham Sandeep Singh, Pritam Kotal, Muhammed Saheef, Adrian Nicolas Luna Retamar, Bryce Brian Miranda, Danish Farooq Bhat, Freddy Lallawmawma, Korou Singh Thingujam, Mohammed Aimen, Mohammed Azhar, Noah Wail Jacob Sadaoui, Sukham Yoihenba Meitei, Saurav Mandal, Vibin Mohanan, Ishan Pandita, R Lalthanmawia, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Jesus Jimenez, Kwame Peprah

Punjab FC, who made their ISL debut in the previous season, will look to demonstrate their learning from their inaugural campaign as they head into a fresh new season looking to improve on their showings in the top flight of Indian football.

The Tuskers get their quest for a maiden title underway after coming close on multiple occasions in the past, and will be under the tutelage of new coach Mikael Stahre, following the departure of Ivan Vukomanovic.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the ISL 2024-25 match between Kerala Blasters FC and Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday.

The game is slated to get underway at 7:30 PM IST!