Panagiotis Dilmperis rues goal-scoring opportunities after draw against Odisha FC

Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis rued his team’s goal-scoring chances after a 1-1 draw against Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar in the ongoing Indian Super League on Monday.

Petros Giakoumakis scored his first ISL goal at the stroke of half-time to put the Shers in front. However, Isak Vanlalruatfela scored the equalizer in the 51st minute despite the fact that the Kalinga Warriors were reduced to 10 men after Rahul KP received a red card in the 44th minute.

The visitors had 49.2% possession and took four shots on target against Odisha FC.

“Punjab FC had control of the game since the first moment. I don’t remember any chance since the first moment of the game during the first half. We had some good moments, and of course, the red card helped us,” Dilmperis said in the post-match press conference.

Dilmperis admitted that his players failed to win the one-to-one battles in the second half.

“We managed to score, and then we tried hard. Odisha FC played one way. We couldn’t address it. Long balls from the keeper to the left winger (Isak Vanlalruatfela). We lost a lot of fights. Nobody went next to him to support. That was the only way to create chances,” Dilmperis analyzed.

The gaffer acknowledged that they created chances but could not find the final finishing from their players.

“On the other hand, we tried to go from the side because it was really solid. We went from the side. We have a lot of cooperation, overlap, give-and-go, wide progression, and services. All the services went to the opponent’s goalkeeper,” he stated.

“When we don’t have the quality final pass, when we don’t have the quality final finishing, and hopefully in the 92nd minute Odisha FC could score and win the game,” he continued.

Punjab FC will next take on Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on Saturday.