Unbeaten Punjab FC Target First Away Win Against Churchill Brothers in ISL 2026-27

The Shers head to Goa on the back of four points from two matches, while Churchill Brothers look to recover from a heavy defeat against defending champions East Bengal.

Punjab FC will look to extend their unbeaten start to the 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) season when they take on Churchill Brothers SC at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Sunday, October 25. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM IST, with the visitors targeting their first away victory of the campaign.

Punjab FC have collected four points from their opening two matches and sit fourth in the standings. Churchill Brothers, meanwhile, occupy seventh place with three points from the same number of fixtures. The contest presents an opportunity for the Shers to build momentum while the Goan side will be eager to respond after a difficult second outing in the top flight.

Punjab FC have made a habit of producing decisive moments late in matches this season. Their campaign began with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Odisha FC, with veteran forward Raphaël Messi Bouli scoring in the opening minute before striking again in the 96th minute to secure all three points.

The Shers demonstrated similar determination against Mumbai City FC on Monday. After falling behind to a second-half penalty, Punjab continued to push for an equaliser. Substitute Gurkirat Singh eventually delivered in the 90th minute, rising to meet a precise cross from fellow substitute Sanathoi Meetei and heading home to earn a 1-1 draw against his former club.

These results have highlighted Punjab's ability to remain competitive until the final whistle. They have also demonstrated the value of head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis' substitutions, with players introduced from the bench making decisive contributions in both fixtures.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Goa, Dermitzakis attributed the team's late scoring to its mentality and tactical preparation.

“Scoring in the dying minutes shows that we are a team with strength and power. It shows our character and mentality, and it proves that we are a team that simply refuses to lose,” he said. The Greek coach also stressed that the impact of substitutes was not accidental, explaining that players entering the game had specific tactical responsibilities.

Punjab's early-season performances have also offered opportunities for emerging Indian talent. In the match against Mumbai City FC, Dermitzakis handed forward Vishal Yadav a starting place in the absence of injured Alfred Planas Moya. Yadav consequently became the third-youngest player ever to start an ISL match for Punjab FC.

Alongside Yadav, academy graduates and young players such as Muhammad Suhail, Bishu Sharma and Arshvir Singh have contributed to the team's performances. Their involvement has complemented the experience of international campaigners Messi Bouli and Diego Raposo.

For Punjab, this combination of youth and experience could prove important against a Churchill Brothers side looking to recover its confidence. The visitors will need to maintain their attacking intent while avoiding the defensive lapses that could give the hosts an opportunity to exploit home advantage.

Defensive organisation remains Punjab's foundation

While Punjab's late goals have attracted attention, their defensive record is another significant feature of their opening two fixtures. The Shers are yet to concede a goal from open play in the ISL this season. Odisha FC's equaliser came from a corner, while Mumbai City FC scored from the penalty spot.

Goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh has been supported by a disciplined defensive unit featuring Bijoy Varghese, Nikhil Prabhu, Khaiminthang Lhungdim and Muhammad Uvais. Their organisation will be tested against Churchill Brothers, who demonstrated their attacking capabilities in their season opener.

Dermitzakis said he was satisfied with the balance of his team, particularly its ability to create chances while remaining defensively compact. He also confirmed that the coaching staff had been working on defending set-pieces in training, an area that could prove decisive in Goa.

Churchill Brothers made an encouraging start to their return to the ISL, defeating Mumbai City FC 2-1 in their opening match. Goals from Gaurav Bora and Sebastian Gutierrez helped the Goan outfit announce its arrival in the competition with an important victory.

However, their second fixture brought a very different outcome. Churchill Brothers suffered a 4-0 home defeat against reigning champions East Bengal and will now look to respond in front of their supporters. Under head coach Dimitris Dimitriou, the Red Machines have already shown that they can compete against established ISL opposition. Their challenge will be to rediscover the attacking effectiveness displayed against Mumbai while tightening a defence that struggled against East Bengal.

Sunday's encounter will be the first meeting between Punjab FC and Churchill Brothers in the ISL. The teams share a history from the I-League, where Churchill Brothers recorded three victories and two draws in six previous encounters. That historical advantage, however, offers limited indication of how the first top-flight meeting will unfold.

Dermitzakis acknowledged the threat posed by the newcomers and cautioned against reading too much into their latest defeat.

“Churchill Brothers are an enthusiastic team new to the ISL. We will try to take advantage of the moments when we find them unready, but we need to be very cautious,” he said, reiterating that Punjab's objective was to combine a strong performance with a positive result.

Punjab have received a boost ahead of the trip, with experienced French midfielder Mickaël Malsa included in the matchday squad. The former Levante player adds another option to the midfield as the Shers prepare for their first away fixture of the season.

Dermitzakis praised Malsa's professionalism and commitment to regaining full match readiness. Meanwhile, Cameroonian defender Patrick Bahanack has entered the return-to-play phase following a minor knock. The coach confirmed that the medical team would not rush his recovery.

With Punjab aiming to preserve their unbeaten record and Churchill Brothers desperate to bounce back, the encounter carries significance for both sides. The visitors will rely on their defensive discipline, attacking depth and late-game resilience, while the hosts will look to use home advantage to return to winning ways.

A victory in Fatorda would give Punjab FC an important early-season boost. For Churchill Brothers, a positive result against an unbeaten opponent would provide an opportunity to put their heavy defeat behind them and strengthen their position in the league table.