ISL: Shers on a streak, crisis for Odisha FC- Talking points

Delhi: Punjab FC returned to their adopted home ground at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi to play against Odisha FC in the second game of Indian Super League Season 11.

Coming on a high from the 2-1 away win against Kerala Blasters, Punjab FC continued their good run and defeated Odisha FC 2-1 comprehensively.

Two youngsters from Kerala, Nihal Sudeesh and Leon Augustine got on the scoresheet for the Shers to propel them to two back-to-back wins. An own goal from Ravi Kumar was the consolation goal for Odisha in the extra time.

Here are the major talking points from the eighth game of ISL between Punjab FC and Odisha FC:

#5 A heartfelt gesture from Punjab FC for their injured warrior

Last match's hero for Punjab FC, Luka Majcen suffered a fractured jaw and is out for close to eight weeks of footballing action.

After scoring the first goal in the 31st minute, Nihal Sudeesh went to his coach Panagiotis Dilmperis and dedicated his goal to the Slovenian maestro.

He hoisted the jersey to show his respect for the senior team member who is nursing the injury right now.

#4 Kerala boys bring joy to Punjab FC

Nihal Sudeesh and Leon Augustine, the two youngsters from Kerala, scored both goals finishing brilliantly on the far post.

Nihal had another chance where he hit the post.

Talking about his young boys, coach Dilmperis said," Both of them are hard working players and they gave me the commitment I asked for."

"If they continue doing the hard work, I don't think anything will stop them from reaching to the top," the coach asserted.

#3 Bakenga needs to find his foot

Punjab FC would have easily won the match with higher goal difference had Bakenga taken his chances but the striker missed his chances and two long range shots were saved.

Coach Dilmperis believes that Bakenga will get on the scoring sheet and he just needs to find his foot in the new league.

#2 Punjab FC defence stands rock solid

Odisha FC was startled by the defensive solidity of Punjab led by Ivan Novoselec, Suresh Metei, Lhungdim, and Abhishek Singh.

An own goal in the extra time took away the clean sheet but it was by the time game was over.

#1 Crisis for Sergio Lobera

This is only the second game in which a Sergio Lobera team has failed to get a shot on target.

It is also Odisha FC's second defeat in the league. Both opponents played similarly and isolated Ahmed Jahouh.

"We had a bad first half, but we had a better second half, although they scored in the second half too," Lobera said after the game.

As teams have figured out how to stop Odisha FC, it’s time for Lobera to change his game.