The support for Sporting Club Delhi and Punjab FC, though sparse in number, seemed to be evenly split in Saturday’s Indian Super League (ISL) encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, a venue that operates as the home base for both teams. The equation on the field of play was similar, with little to separate the two outfits at the end of a goalless draw.
Neither side showed the finesse required in the final third to grab a victory. SC Delhi should be a little more disappointed with the result given that it had the better opportunities.
Punjab came closest to scoring in the 15th minute. When Manglenthang Kipgen took a left-footed shot from outside the 18-yard box and drew a sharp save from Delhi’s Nora Fernandes in goal, the rebound fell kindly to Nsungusi Effiong. However, defender Manoj Mohammad exerted enough pressure on the Nigerian forward to thwart his attempt.
Delhi should have taken the lead heading into the interval. In stoppage time, a cross from Lamgoulen Semkholun into the box was helped on by Devendra Murgaokar towards an unmarked Matija Babovic. The 27-year-old from Serbia had plenty of time and space up his sleeve to add to his tally of four goals in the ISL, but the striker lost his composure and sent his shot over the crossbar.
When play resumed after the break, Delhi seemed to grow in confidence. But it didn’t reflect on the score sheet, with Sourav and Joseph Sunny squandering brilliant chances to make a difference.
Published on May 02, 2026