We will strategically use PN Noufal throughout the season, says Petr Kratky after ISL 2024-25 opener

The debutant assisted the equaliser for the Islanders, earning praise from Petr Kratky.

Mumbai City FC salvaged a point from the opening game of the 11th season of the Indian Super League(ISL) 2024-25 against the reigning Championship winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Petr Kratky praised youngster PN Noufal for his performances. After going down by two goals early in the first half of the game, the Islanders dug deep to make a comeback and finish the game 2-2.

After a double howler from Lachenpa Phurba, the own-goal scorer Tiri helped the Islanders score their first goal of the game through a 70th-minute strike. The equaliser then came in the dying minutes of the game as PN Noufal made a good receive on the left flank before going on a threatening run.

His eventual cut back found the touchline found fellow substitute Thaer Krouma who then scored to help the Islanders take a point away from home.

Mumbai City FC would feel hard done by the occasional lapses in concentration as the Islanders were the dominant team from the kick-off. Their wide players, in particular, threatened the backline of Mohun Bagan Super Giant throughout the game. And PN Noufal’s assist was the result of the constant dangerous cutbacks and crosses put in by the Islanders.

PN Noufal’s performance didn’t go unnoticed. The former Gokulam Kerala FC player was praised by head coach Petr Kratky. The 42-year-old Czech Republic tactician made it a point to applaud the substitute for his assist on his Indian Super League debut.

Praising the 23-year-old Kerala winger, Mumbai City coach said, “He is an exciting talent. His attitude is great. We will give him more opportunities. He had a very good pre-season and that’s why we brought him to Mumbai City FC. But he needs to keep working hard because the competition at Mumbai City is hard. So he needs to keep pushing and developing.”

PN Noufal signed for Mumbai City FC from Gokulam Kerala earlier this year in the month of June. The Islanders’ newest acquisition started his footballing career at the local club Cosmos Football Club. He then represented BASCO FC in the Kerala Football League.

Noufal was also part of the Kerala team that was crowned as the champions of the Santosh Trophy in the 2021-22 season. He then moved to Gokulam Kerala for whom he scored five times in the 2023-24 season of the I-League.

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