Mohali, October 23: Punjab FC head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis has praised his team's fighting spirit after they scored late in each of their opening two Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 fixtures, with the Greek tactician now preparing his side for Sunday's away clash against newcomers Churchill Brothers in Goa.
Punjab have collected four points from their first two matches and remain unbeaten. Raphael Messi Bouli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory over Odisha FC, while Gurkirat Singh struck with a 90th-minute header against his former club Mumbai City FC to earn a 1-1 draw.
Punjab FC's Late Goals Reflect Team Character
Dermitzakis believes his side's ability to find goals in the closing stages reflects their mentality and the impact of their 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," Dermitzakis said.
The Punjab FC head coach also highlighted the importance of substitutions, stressing that players entering the game have clearly defined roles that can influence the outcome.
"Crucial to this is the tactical part and the players who come in as substitutes, who have a specific purpose when they enter the match," he added.
Dermitzakis Satisfied With Punjab's balance
Despite conceding in both opening fixtures, Dermitzakis remains pleased with Punjab FC's overall structure. The side have scored three goals and conceded two, with neither goal against them coming from open play.
Odisha FC scored their equaliser from a corner, while Mumbai City FC found the net from the penalty spot. The coach said the team continues to work on set-piece situations in training as it looks to strengthen its defensive organisation.
"Generally, we are a team built on balance. I am satisfied because we are producing chances and scoring in every game, and I am satisfied with our defensive organisation," he said.
Churchill Brothers Pose Fresh Challenge
Punjab FC will now turn their attention to Churchill Brothers, who have made an eventful start to their ISL campaign. The newcomers opened with a 2-1 win over Mumbai City FC before suffering a 4-0 home defeat against defending champions East Bengal.
However, Dermitzakis does not believe the contrasting results will necessarily influence Churchill Brothers' approach on Sunday. He expects the hosts to remain competitive and has urged his players to exercise caution while looking for opportunities to exploit their opponents.
"In the ISL, a previous victory or defeat does not affect the psychology or performance for the next game that much," he said.
"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. "
Malsa Included For Churchill Brothers Fixture
Punjab FC have received a boost with midfielder Mickaël Malsa included in the squad. The former Levante player signed for the club in September and has been working towards full match readiness.
"He is a true professional who works every single day to be 100 per cent ready," Dermitzakis said. Defender Patrick Bahanack, meanwhile, remains in the return-to-play phase following a minor injury. The coach indicated that the club would take a measured approach to his recovery rather than risk an early return. "Whenever we have an injury, we never rush," he said.
The Shers will look to extend their unbeaten start when they face Churchill Brothers on Sunday, October 25. For Dermitzakis, the objective remains consistent: deliver a strong performance while securing a positive result.
