ISL: Late winner sinks Punjab FC; gets Chennaiyin all three points

Chennai: Chennaiyin FC finally broke their winless streak at home with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

This victory comes at a crucial time as the Marina Machans push to finish their season on a high note.

Wilmar Jordan Gil’s penalty set the tone for the match, but Punjab FC fought back through Luka Majcen’s equaliser. Ultimately, Daniel Chima Chukwu’s late winner sealed all three points for the hosts.

Here are the five key talking points from this pulsating ISL 2024-25 fixture.

#5 - A Much-Needed Home Victory for Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin FC had gone five games without a win at home before this fixture, making this victory a much-needed boost for the team and their fans.

The Marina Machans had been struggling to capitalize on home advantage, often failing to convert chances into goals. With this result, Owen Coyle’s side will hope to build momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season.

Despite being seven points behind sixth-placed Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin’s renewed energy and recent back-to-back wins show promise.

The ability to grind out results at home is crucial, especially as they aim to finish the season on a high note.

#4 - Jordan Gil Reaches Double Digits in Style

Wilmar Jordan Gil has been one of Chennaiyin FC’s most reliable goal-scorers this season, and his performance against Punjab FC further cemented his status as a key player.

The Colombian striker slotted home a powerful penalty in the 19th minute, registering his tenth goal of the season. This milestone makes him only the third Chennaiyin FC player to reach double digits in a single ISL campaign.

Gil’s ability to remain composed under pressure was evident as he confidently dispatched the spot-kick past Ravi Kumar. His presence in the attacking third continues to provide Chennaiyin with a lethal edge, and his consistency will be vital for the team’s hopes of a strong finish.

#3 - Punjab FC’s Missed Opportunities Prove Costly

Despite their defeat, Punjab FC showed glimpses of attacking brilliance, particularly in the first half. Asmir Suljic and Luka Majcen were instrumental in creating goal-scoring chances, but their inability to convert proved to be their downfall.

The visitors had multiple clear-cut chances, including a golden opportunity for Stanko Mrzljak, who was played through on goal but failed to beat Chennaiyin goalkeeper Mohammed Nawaz.

Giakoumakis also squandered a crucial header in the 70th minute that could have put Punjab in the lead. These missed opportunities ultimately came back to haunt Punjab FC, as Chennaiyin made them pay with a late winner.

#2 - Chima Chukwu’s Super-Sub Impact

Daniel Chima Chukwu’s introduction in the second half proved to be a masterstroke from Owen Coyle.

The Nigerian forward replaced Wilmar Jordan Gil and made an immediate impact, scoring the winning goal in the 84th minute.

His movement, physicality, and finishing ability added a new dimension to Chennaiyin’s attack in the latter stages of the game.

Chukwu’s goal came from a well-worked move involving fellow substitute Lukas Brambilla. The Brazilian whipped in a low cross, and Chukwu made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball past Punjab’s defense.

This late heroics underlined the importance of squad depth and tactical substitutions in Chennaiyin FC’s success.

#1 - Mohammed Nawaz’s Heroics in Goal

While Chennaiyin’s attackers took the spotlight, goalkeeper Mohammed Nawaz played an equally crucial role in securing the win.

The shot-stopper produced two massive saves in the dying moments of the game to keep his team’s lead intact.

First, he denied Luka Majcen from close range with a sharp reflex save. Moments later, he tipped away a thunderous long-range effort from Ezequiel Vidal, ensuring that Chennaiyin walked away with all three points.

Nawaz’s composure and quick reactions under pressure highlight why he remains an essential figure for Chennaiyin FC.

Chennaiyin FC’s 2-1 victory over Punjab FC was a crucial result in their campaign, giving them renewed hope as they chase a higher position on the table. From Jordan Gil’s clinical penalty to Chima Chukwu’s late winner and Nawaz’s match-saving heroics, the game had no shortage of thrilling moments. With this victory, the Marina Machans will now look to carry their momentum into their next fixture against Bengaluru FC.