ISL 2024-25: Kerala Blasters edges out Punjab FC despite two red cards

Noah Sadaoui's first-half penalty secured all three points for the away team, as the Shers failed to capitalize on their two-man advantage in the final quarter. This marked their fourth consecutive defeat, leaving them in eighth place with 18 points, while Kerala Blasters, with their second consecutive win, moved up to ninth with 17 points.

Hyderabad: Punjab FC fell short in a dramatic Indian Super League (ISL) match against Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday, losing by a solitary goal despite having a two-man advantage in the final stages of the game.

The only goal of the match came from a first-half penalty by Noah Sadaoui, who calmly converted after being fouled inside the box by Punjab’s Suresh Meitei. Despite having numerical superiority after Kerala Blasters were reduced to 10 men due to Milos Drincic’s second yellow card and to nine men when Aibanbha Dohling received a red card in the 74th minute, Punjab FC failed to capitalize on their advantage.

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The Shers, who were under pressure from the Blasters’ defense, could not find the equalizer. This marks their fourth consecutive defeat, leaving them in eighth place with 18 points. Kerala Blasters, on the other hand, secured their second consecutive win and moved up to seventh place with 17 points.

Punjab FC’s head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis made several changes to the starting lineup, including giving academy product Muhammad Suhail F his first ISL start. However, despite sustained attacks, they were unable to break through the Blasters’ defense.

Punjab FC will now travel to Guwahati for their next match against NorthEast United FC on January 10 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.