ISL 2017: Weekend Roundup

Indian Super League Review

Normality resumed for the ISL over the weekend as Sunday went back to a two-game day. Let’s get right into the action, as there’s a lot of it.   

Bengaluru 2-0 FC Goa    

Friday night had top of the table Bengaluru play host to 6th place Goa, who needed a win to keep them in the contention for a playoff place, unfortunately, they let their fans down. Bengaluru were on fine form going into the game and Goa did nothing to stop them.   

After a fairly open thirty minutes of play, Bengaluru struck first in the thirty-fifth minute, when Edu Garcia found the back of the net. This didn’t rock Goa and they came back at Bengaluru, something Bengaluru aren’t used to.    

Halftime came and Bengaluru went into the break 1-0 up. Goa may have felt a little unlucky to go into the break, losing the game.    

Both teams came out fighting in the second half and both teams had good chances to score, however, we had to wait until eighty-two minutes for the next goal as Delgado scored to put the game to bed and Bengaluru 2-0 up.    

The game ended 2-0 and that confirmed Bengaluru’s place in the playoffs at the end of the season, and to be fair, it’s hard to argue against them deserving their place.    

Quick stat attack for you and Goa enjoyed most of the possession, with 54%. However, it was Bengaluru who had the most shots, with thirteen compared to Goa’s twelve.   

Jamshedpur 1-0 NorthEast United   

The Saturday night game had 4th place Jamshedpur play host to struggling NorthEast United, who have nothing else to play for this season other than their pride. Jamshedpur, on the other hand, have a play-off place to play for and they needed to win this game to keep the gap a big as possible.    

The game was never going to be an entertaining one as both sides aren’t known for their attacking prowess and Jamshedpur are very hard to break down.    

Jamshedpur were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure from Avram Grant’s side and NorthEast may have enjoyed the majority of possession but they didn’t really create any clear-cut chances. The first half ended and the scoreline was 0-0.    

The second half started and Jamshedpur looked a little more up to it. This showed when Wellington Priori hit the back of the net and put Jamshedpur 1-0 up.    

NorthEast came back at Jamshedpur and created some chances, but they still weren’t good chances and this caused the game to end 1-0. Jamshedpur stay in the top 4 whilst NorthEast stay second bottom.    

Mumbai City 0-2 Pune City    

The early Sunday game was the battle of the two cities. 7th place Mumbai City played host to 2nd place Pune City, who were trying to close the gap on Bengaluru. Mumbai needed to win to keep their playoff chances alive as their form has been fading recently.    

It didn’t take Pune long to take the lead as Diego Carlos found the net on eighteen minutes and it was well deserved. Mumbai fought back but they couldn’t find the net before the break and so Pune went into the second half with a one-goal advantage.   

The second half started and Mumbai were looking a little more dangerous. Pune were a little reluctant to push Mumbai as didn’t want to lose their lead, and they did the opposite.    

Pune killed the game off in the eighty-third minute when Marcelo Peieira found the back of the net and the game ended 2-0. The win keeps Pune 2nd whilst Mumbai sit 7th, six points off the playoffs.   

Delhi Dynamos 1-1 Chennaiyin   

The second Sunday night game had bottom of the league Delhi play host to playoff contenders Chennaiyin. Going into the game, maybe fans would have said an easy win for Chennaiyin but Delhi set out to silence these fans, and they did.   

The game was quite slow with both teams being quite physical and not really playing any pretty football. The first half didn’t really have any clear-cut chances in it, apart from a couple near the end of the half.    

The second half started and it took fifteen minutes for the first goal to come. Mumbai were awarded a penalty and Kalu Uche slotted the ball home to put Delhi 1-0 up.    

It seemed that Delhi would hold on for a massive upset but Mailson Alves denied them that when he equalised on eighty-one minutes. Delhi managed to hold on for a point, which still surprised the majority of fans.   

The draw puts Chennaiyin 4th, three points above 5th place, whilst Delhi stay bottom but close the gap to three points behind NorthEast United.    

That was it for this weekend in the ISL, once again, there were twists and turns throughout the weekend but one thing is for certain, a Bengaluru victory.  

About the Author

Stephen Beavon
Just a young football fan who likes to get his opinion across to others. Love Birmingham City, although it is difficult at times.