ISL 2024-25: Mohammedan Sporting looks to end debut season on a high against Punjab FC

ISL 2024-25: Mohammedan Sporting looks to end debut season on a high against Punjab FC

It has been a season of harsh reality check for Mohammedan Sporting as the bottom-placed side will look to end on a positive note when it faces Punjab FC in its last Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 match in Kolkata don Monday.

Promoted to the ISL this season, Mohammedan Sporting found the top-tier league to be a difficult pitch altogether.

Its last victory came on January 11, a hard-fought 1-0 result against Bengaluru FC. Since then, the Black Panthers have endured an eight-match winless streak, leaving them at the bottom of the 13-team standings with just two wins, six draws, and 15 losses.

With 12 points from 23 matches, the team has struggled to adapt, but each setback has been a learning experience for the club that became the third team from Kolkata to enter the ISL after promotion from the I-League.

It is yet to taste victory at its home turf of Kishore Bharati Krirangan in the ISL and the side would be eager to offer their passionate supporters a glimpse of hope for the future.

“This is the last game of the season so obviously we want to push for a win. We have struggled this season, but we want to give something back to the fans with this game,” Mohammedan Sporting’s interim head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo said.

Punjab FC, who was also promoted as part of the ISL expansion in 2023-24, has had a relatively better campaign.

With 27 points from 23 matches, the Panagiotis Dilmperis-coached side started strong before its downward spiral in the latter half of the season as it slipped to 10th spot.

In the first leg fixture, the Shers secured a 2-0 victory over Mohammedan Sporting, and they will be aiming to complete the double over their opponents while becoming just the second team after Hyderabad FC to register consecutive clean sheets against them this season.

Punjab FC’s Dilmperis appreciated his side for following set playing patterns in their last match.

“The players just didn’t let Hyderabad FC come close to our goal because of good ball possession, some patterns that we used to follow, and high pressing at the times that we should have done it,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)

Published on Mar 09, 2025