'We are best team for sure': Punjab FC coach proud despite the draw against East Bengal

Punjab FC face Odisha FC in their next tie

Punjab FC held a goalless draw in a crucial away fixture against East Bengal FC in their recent outing in the Indian Super League 2025-26 season. Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis shares the main talking points from the game as he was really devastated after the draw, as he calls out “Missing two points from the tie”. This phrase determines that Panagiotis Dilmperis look for a win, but the goals didn’t blow up for the squad.

Against a tough opponent like East Bengal, the Shers displayed a good brand of football with their great midfield orientation and defensive approach. Also, we can’t deny the fact that the home side created three great goal chances, but the post denied them, and the game ended in a draw.

Full time!!!East Bengal FC 0-0 Punjab FCPunjab FC hold East Bengal to a hard-fought goalless draw as the ISL title race takes another dramatic turn. 👀🔥#ISL #IndianFootball #IndianSuperLeague #EBFCPFC pic.twitter.com/kQlpughzs5

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) May 11, 2026

Punjab FC head coach Dilmperis was frustrated after the game but remained proud of his team during the post-match press conference.

“We should win the game”: Punjab FC head coach looks frustrated after the game

A must-win game for the two teams, but it ended in a draw. That must reminded that the ISL points table is wide open, but the ISL title chasing clash will be on the cards when East Bengal make their way in the Kolkata derby against Mohun Bagan SG. Not only these two but also Punjab FC, who displayed a good football against both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal this season, have a chance to get close to the top two.

After the game ended in a stalemate, Punjab FC’s head coach was furious about the result. As he said, when the best player is from another team, they lose the game.

“When the best player of the game is the opponent’s goalkeeper, it’s obvious we lost the game. We should win.”

“According to the chances, if you count the chances, every shot from 40 metres or every shot from the other side of the field, it’s another thing. We don’t talk. It’s my job. We play football, possess the ball and create chances like a modern team. Bring the ball, normal, like a modern team. We go and create chances. We are not based on certain players.”

Punjab FC coach calls out that Punjab’s project can grow the Indian Football

The head coach, Panagiotis Dilmperis, stated about the future of Indian Football, as he said that the Punjab FC youth academy model is the best in the country. As he highlighted, the youth model can help to grow the Indian Football standards.

Panagiotis Dilmperis stated: “There is a whole organisation behind this team — academy, training centre, development centres in Punjab.”

“A training centre with six grounds, better than this whole. Almost 30, a product of Indian football. Football the right way. Everybody here should respect, first of all, us, the foreigners, should respect India.”

“If we want to see Indian World Cup, Punjab is the light in house, so is the world.”

“We are the best team for sure”: Panagiotis Dilmperis

“Okay. We are the best team, for sure. If there are any doubts, I guess, we can discuss it again.”

“Except for the match with Delhi, which we are not good at, and the first game with Jamsapur, it was the first game, and it was equal, and accidentally we won. In all the other games, we are better than the opponents. Do you still remember what happened with Mohun Bagan? I don’t want to give you details, I’m here with my panellists.”

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