Punjab FC stunned everyone who followed their fortunes last season with a stellar showing in the Indian Super League, ending in the eighth position after having been promoted from the I-League. It was no easy task, as coming from the I-League makes it challenging for any team to adapt to the higher level of competition.
The Shers will look forward to extending their run in this season of the ISL as well, although the departure of head coach Staikos Vergetis will add a shadow of gloom to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi where they play their home games.
Punjab were the first team to get promoted from the I-League into the ISL, and they accounted well for themselves last year. This time, with new head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis in charge, they will look to go even further.
They were solid at home last season and were able to hold their own in more than a few away encounters as well, most notably the famous victory they pulled off over Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi.
Summer Transfer Window
A lot of key players such as Madih Talal, Juan Mera, Wilmar Jordan and Prasanth K all left the club in the summer transfer window, and this is bound to deal a big blow to their hopes for the upcoming season. However, what the management did well was offering centre-forward Luka Macjen a new contract. He was instrumental for them in front of the park, netting eight goals and helping out creatively as well.
The addition of Vinit Rai, Princeton Rebello, Nihal Sudeesh and Ningthongba Meitei in the Indian ranks is bound to help the Shers as well as the signings of foreigners Ezequiel Vidal and Ivan Novoselec.
Pre-Season
Punjab participated in the season-opening Durand Cup and did extremely well by qualifying for the quarterfinals, in which they were beaten by eventual finalists Mohun Bagan Super Giant via penalties.
In the group stage of the competition, the Shers won two games and drew one, keeping a clean sheet in two and rarely allowing sides to get past them. However, the quarterfinal loss is bound to rankle them.
Head coach Dilmperis will feel that with a lot of youngsters being given minutes in the Durand Cup, they will be ready by the time the ISL begins. The latter will want to make sure that they do not flounder the chances that come their way.
Squad Compared to Last Season
A lot of changes have taken place in the Punjab squad in the summer transfer window, and it seems as if they are going to field an almost new-look side this time around. The departure of Juan Mera and Madih Talal will hurt the Shers.
However, with striker Macjen leading the ranks and experienced midfielder Vinit Rai making his presence felt after moving from Mumbai City, the Shers will be confident of putting up a good show.
Nonetheless, the focus of the club this season will be to give chances to youngsters and allow them the freedom to express themselves to the best of their potential. This is brilliant news for Indian football as a whole.
Most Exciting Player to Look Forward To
Midfielder Ricky Shabong, who had a solid season in the centre of the park for Punjab last season, knows that he will have to carry the weight on his shoulders in their upcoming campaign as well.
Shabong is known for his vision as well as a good final pass. This makes him indispensable to the Punjab attack and gives him the opportunity to sit deep behind the forwards and give them good balls.
Player with a Point to Prove
Vinit Rai, who arrived from Mumbai City in the summer transfer window, is a player who will have a lot of people to prove wrong this season. Although Mumbai head coach Petr Kratky liked his credentials, he sidelined him towards the end.
Rai is known to be solid in recycling balls as well as getting stuck into opponents whenever the going gets tough for his team. Be it his ability to play as a box-to-box midfielder or creator, the 26-year-old offers a lot of depth to the Shers.
Best XI
Formation – Ravi Kumar (GK); Nitesh Darjee, Ivan Novoselec, Nikhil Prabhu, K Lhungdhim; Vinit Rai, Ricky Shabong, Filp Mrzljac, Ashish Pradhan; Ezequiel Vidal, Luka Macjen.
A lot of the newcomers to the Punjab side ought to make their way into the starting XI when they face Kerala Blasters in Kochi on Sunday, September 15. While a few changes may be made to the midfield, the attack looks all set.
Predictions
Having finished in the eighth position of the ISL table last season, a lot will be expected of Punjab to go above and beyond their capabilities in this campaign. However, it is not going to be an easy task.
With the addition of a new coach who has brought with him new ideas, Punjab can well be expected to challenge for a spot in the top six of the table, making them eligible for qualification into the ISL Cup.
The Shers have a lot of homegrown talent in their side who will not waste a moment to convert the chances falling on their lap. They need to play to their strengths and make sure that no opportunities go begging.
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