ISL 2017: 5 talking points from Week 2

by Intern December 2, 2017

The cash-rich league, ISL had an incredible jaunt in the second week of the fourth edition too. Teams like Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC are yet to score a goal, Bengaluru FC has been able to continue the stellar performance, while Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC and FC Pune City have managed to rebound from the falls they had in the first week.

Let’s take a look at the 5 talking points of the week.

Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC still goalless

Despite having the service of an acute band of attackers, both Kerala Blasters and the new entrants, Jamshedpur FC has failed to score a goal even after finishing two games.

The match, held at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, Kochi was a good game, but the attackers of both sides were unable to find the final touch to pierce past the defences. It was Sandesh Jhingan’s crunching tackle’s and Paul Rachubka’s brilliance which kept the visitors away. For the hosts, Berbatov had implemented his role as an orchestrator in the middle of the park, but the attackers, consists of Iain Hume and CK Vineeth failed to implement their mark.

Mumbai City FC rebounds, FC Goa performs apathetic show

In the first match of this week, Mumbai City earned a hard-fought victory against FC Goa. Despite the visitors dominating the game, it was Kattimani’s giddy moves, that cost them the points. On the other side, for Mumbai City FC, the win was like spreading consolation in the camp, who were trounced by the new entrants Bengaluru FC in the first week.

Everton Santos and Thiago scored for the home side, while it was Manuel Arana for FC Goa. The game has been able to provide with the weakness the visitors had, it is undoubtedly, the high time for the coach to switch his statement, ‘Kattimani, the best goalkeeper’.

Augusto, the wizard stars as Chennaiyin resurges, and Northeast descends

Northeast United FC had a good start to the new edition, as their young side managed to perform well against Steve Coppell’s side. On the other hand, Chennaiyin FC was trounced by FC Goa in their first match of the season.

The battle between both these sides was not much enthralling, but, with Raphael Augusto acting as the linchpin, Chennaiyin FC outclassed the Highlanders throughout the game, and indomitable attackers and midfielders of Chennaiyin made a comeback futile for the visitors as they scored three.

Marcelinho is back

Who doesn’t know Marcelinho? Not many from the Indian football fraternity would be the answer. Back in the third edition, his time with Delhi Dynamos has caught the eye of the fans and pundits alike. He partnered with Florent Malouda and Kean Lewis upfront to mould one of the fatal attacking trio ISL has ever since seen.

He’s not with the ‘Lions’ anymore, but he’s with the stallions now, and his performance in the first match has been a subject of talk about his performance, but he, demolishing the defenders of ATK in the second game has shown limit to such talkings. He bagged two against Delhi while assisting the other two goals.

Impeccable Bengaluru FC outclassed Delhi Dynamos

Bengaluru FC in the I-League was a near-perfect side, and they, in ISL is an advanced version of what they were in the I-League. Played two, scored 6, conceded just 1, the stats of Bengaluru FC in this revamped ISL edition is this, and this indeed signals the aim of the new entrants into the league.

Bengaluru FC completely outclassed Delhi Dynamos in the second match of their ISL jaunt, and it was indeed their all-round performance that helped them secure the win.

The perfect passes of Sunil Chhetri, the blitz through the flanks by Udanta, and threatening presence of Miku, and the indomitable midfield has helped Bengaluru outdo their opponents and for these reason’s, the Delhi Dynamos against FC Pune City was no longer in the picture.

Confident Bengaluru brought down by FC Goa in the last game of November

The last match of the November, Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa was a party for the Indian football fraternity. A 7 goal thriller is no word to describe the match,

The game kick-started, witnessing the attacking intent of both sides, and it was the Gaurs who made it count as Coro scored the opener for them, but were soon levelled by Bengaluru’s star man Miku. Bengaluru had no time to celebrate as Coro helped Goa took the lead again.

The party had just begun by then, Gurpreet’s offence on Coro earned him a red card, and conceded a penalty, and Lanzarote put into the right place from the spot kick.

The second half was just another enthralling 90 minutes. Bengaluru scored second of the night as Erik Partaalu’s glancing header found its way into the post, and minutes later, they scored their equalizer, as a wizard in Miku worked it well to make two defenders lie on the floor, before making a powerful shot which went past Katimani.

FC Goa didn’t take it much longer to finally produce their winner, as Coro went past Mondal, before slotting the ball into the open net.