ISL | Punjab wary of NEUFC threat

Punjab FC will look to build on its morale-boosting win against Bengaluru FC when it takes on NorthEast United FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Monday.

In its previous fixture, Punjab rode on a first-half brace by Nigerian forward Effiong Nsunsugi to beat Bengaluru 2-0 away from home.

NEUFC is yet to notch up a victory. It lost its opening fixture to East Bengal and drew its last two games.

Punjab head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis remains wary of the threat offered by the Guwahati-based outfit.

“NEUFC has many attacking patterns, especially with a hardworking midfield. It is a very active and aggressive team with young players who are hungry to prove themselves in Indian football,” he said during the virtual pre-match media conference on Sunday.

“We focus on certain things related to the opponent, which helps us prepare the players and the team for real game conditions.”

According to Dilmperis, the performance against Bengaluru highlighted some concerns. “There were certain moments in the game when the players did not have the desired discipline or concentration. This is my main concern and we are working during the week on these moments,” he observed.