Nsungusi Jr brace powers Punjab to victory against Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 27 (PTI) A clinical first-half brace from Nsungusi Jr. Effiong guided Punjab FC to a 2-0 victory over Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League here on Friday.

The Shers registered their first win of the campaign and moved up to seventh in the standings with three points, while Bengaluru FC remain sixth with four points. Nsungusi Jr. was adjudged the Player of the Match.

The contest began evenly, with both sides probing for openings. Bengaluru left-back Roshan Singh fired over the bar from a direct free-kick in the fifth minute, while Punjab midfielder Dani Ramírez saw his long-range effort blocked at the other end.

The Shers looked threatening from set-pieces, as Bede Osuji’s header was blocked for a corner before Pablo Santos tested Bengaluru's Gurpreet Singh from close range.

Punjab broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. Manglenthang Kipgen delivered a precise cross into the near post, where Nsungusi Jr. rose highest to power a bullet header into the top right corner, giving the visitors the lead.

Bengaluru responded with a series of corners but struggled to find a decisive touch in the box. Defender Bijoy came close to doubling Punjab’s advantage midway through the half, glancing a header just wide from a Dani Ramírez delivery.

Straight after the water break, Punjab struck again. Nsungusi Jr collected a pass from Ramírez at the edge of the box and drilled a low left-footed effort into the bottom left corner at the near post to make it 2-0.

Muhammed Uvais nearly added a third before the interval, while Bengaluru's Ashique Kuruniyan saw his effort blocked in stoppage time as the Blues trailed 0-2 at half-time.

Bengaluru's best opportunity came in the 58th minute when Sunil Chhetri met Ryan Williams' low cross from close range but steered his effort wide of the target. The hosts continued to press, with Kuziev testing Arshdeep Singh from distance and Chhetri seeing a header blocked inside the box.

Despite sustained pressure, Bengaluru were unable to breach Punjab's disciplined defensive line. Chhetri’s late free-kick sailed high and wide, and Ricky Shabong's long-range effort in the closing stages underlined Punjab's composure as they managed the game effectively. PTI AH AH PDS PDS