ISL 2023-24: Punjab FC Host Hyderabad FC as Both Eye First Win – News18

Punjab FC will play at residence for the second time this Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 marketing campaign when Hyderabad FC come visiting them on November 7, Tuesday.

Both groups are on the lookout for their first win of the season and their respective head coaches might be eyeing that to get some optimistic momentum going earlier than heading into the worldwide break.

Hyderabad performed out a 1-1 draw in opposition to Bengaluru FC on Saturday, however Thangboi Singto will goal three factors in opposition to a Punjab outfit that misplaced 2-1 to Mumbai City FC of their final sport.

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What’s at stake?

Punjab FC

“I wanted the team, before starting the league, to be competitive, and apart from the previous game against Chennaiyin FC, all the other games were very competitive. It’s (first win) not far away,” tactician Staikos Vergetis conceded after the defeat to Mumbai, when the Islanders struck twice late within the second half to seize the victory.

Punjab was in good management over the proceedings within the final sport and have to concentrate on closing out video games after stepping into successful positions. They ought to goal to execute their studying from the faceoff in opposition to the Islanders on this match.

Hyderabad FC

Hyderabad FC ceded management within the final sport when Ryan Williams bagged the equalizer, however they delivered a robust efficiency to take confidence from the match going into the conflict in opposition to Punjab FC. They have to bolster their frontline and get extra targets beneath their belt as solely three strikes in 5 matches increase issues over the standard of their attackers.

Key Players

Luka Majcen (Punjab FC)

The Slovenian striker confirmed some slick footwork to attain from exterior of the field in opposition to Mumbai. He spearheaded their promotion to the ISL by ending as the highest-scorer (16) of the I-League final season, and is the focus of their attacking unit. Majcen will hope to construct up on that efficiency to search out the again of the online for the primary time on Punjab FC’s residence turf this season.

Mohammed Yasir (Hyderabad FC)

The midfielder demonstrated sharp skillsets much like that of a striker while bagging the opener for Hyderabad FC in opposition to Bengaluru FC. His artistic inputs assist his facet’s offensive strikes and Yasir should keep it up the boldness he will need to have gained from the earlier match into this pretty difficult away encounter.

Head-to-Head

This would be the first fixture between the 2 sides within the ISL.

Team Talk

“It’s a challenging year for us, being our first one in the ISL. We are enjoying participating in it because we want to take steps up in our career. Our team had to face some situations in the games, especially the transition game, which is a big difference between the I-League and the ISL, as the ball travels from one area to other very fast and we need to adapt and develop in it,” Punjab FC head coach Staikos Vergetis mentioned.

“Punjab FC coming to the ISL, in their first season, they have done reasonably well. We are above them in standings, but they have shown character, shown that they belong in the league. There are moments when they look really powerful in games. As for us, the team is trying to show what they really are, in terms of understanding how to play as a team, tactically, and the combination of new guys and foreigners coming in, they have blended well. Punjab FC of course have done well, but we as former champions and being senior to them in the ISL, anything less than three points will be disappointing against them,” Hyderabad FC tactician Thangboi Singto expressed.