The Indian Super League’s 17th week saw exciting comebacks, dominant victories, and individual brilliance. Here’s a recap of the key moments and takeaways.
East Bengal clinched three points with a narrow one-goal victory over Chennaiyin FC in the opening match of the week, courtesy Nandhakumar Sekar’s decisive winner in the second half.
In the clash between Hyderabad FC and Punjab FC, Mehdi Talal and Luka Majcen etched their names on the scoresheet as Punjab FC secured a 2-0 victory over Hyderabad FC, denying the Nizams their first victory of the season on home turf.
Mumbai City FC and FC Goa battled to a draw in a thrilling encounter at the Mumbai Football Arena. Vikram Partap Singh opened the scoring, only for Mohammed Yasir to equaliae with a stunning strike from outside the box. With this draw, Mumbai maintained their third-place position with 32 points from 16 games, closely followed by Goa with 29 points. The result favoured Mohun Bagan, providing them with an opportunity to climb to the second spot, which they seized by defeating Jamshedpur FC in the final game of Matchweek 17.
In the match between Odisha FC and East Bengal FC, the Juggernauts staged a comeback to avenge their Kalinga Super Cup Final defeat against East Bengal, securing a 2-1 win. Diego Mauricio converted from the spotkick, while Princeton Rebello netted Ahmed Jahouh’s corner in the second half to extend Odisha’s unbeaten run in the ISL to 13 matches. East Bengal remains in eighth place after this defeat, facing a daunting task of breaking into the top six.
Mohun Bagan SG showcased a dominant performance against Jamshedpur FC, with Dimi Petratos, Jason Cummings, and Armando Sadiku all finding the back of the net in a resounding 3-0 victory. This win propelled the Mariners to the second spot in the standings, just two points behind league leaders Odisha FC. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC’s five-match unbeaten run under Khali Jamil’s leadership came to an end.
In the standings, the Red Miners remain in sixth place with 20 points from 18 games, facing a significant risk of losing their position to teams like North East United (19 points from 16 games), East Bengal (18 points from 17 games), and Bengaluru FC (18 points from 17 games), all of whom are within striking distance of claiming the sixth spot.
Key Takeaways from the Week:
PV Vishnu scored the fastest goal of the ongoing ISL
PV Vishnu made history by scoring the fastest goal of the ISL season in just 33 seconds. The Kerala midfielder, known for his impactful presence in the Red and Yellow colours, finally found the back of the net against Odisha FC in a mere 32 seconds into the game, securing a place in the ISL record books. Cutting inside the box from the right-wing, Vishnu expertly fired past Amrinder Singh, despite the presence of three Odisha defenders. However, despite Vishnu’s early heroics, it was Odisha FC who emerged victorious, clinching three points after mounting a comeback through Diego Mauricio and Princeton Rebello’s strikes. With this win, Odisha extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches in the ongoing ISL.
Mohammed Yasir got his mojo back under Manolo Marquez’s guidance
Yasir showcased his brilliance with a stunning pile driver to secure a point in the West Coast Derby between Mumbai City and FC Goa. The Mumbai Football Arena witnessed a thrilling clash that ended in a stalemate after a captivating 90 minutes. While Vikram Partap opened the scoring with a tap-in, it was Mohammed Yasir who stole the spotlight in the 61st minute. His blazing strike from outside the box beat the fully stretched Phurba Lachengpa and drilled into the top left corner of Mumbai’s goal. Yasir, who transitioned to FC Goa from Hyderabad FC, has rediscovered his form under the tutelage of Manolo Marquez, scoring in two consecutive games.
Manvir Singh’s Extra Ordinary Display against the Red Miners
Manvir Singh shone brightly in Mohun Bagan SG’s 3-0 rout of Jamshedpur. Despite Jamshedpur’s spirited efforts to spoil Mohun Bagan’s hopes for the ISL Shield, the hosts dominated the visitors with a convincing display. Dimi Petratos, Armando Sadiku, and Jason Cummings all etched their names on the scoresheet, but it was Manvir Singh who stole the show with three defence-splitting passes and unwavering work rate down the flanks. With this feat, Manvir topped the list of most assists in the ongoing ISL, tallying five assists from 14 games.
Rahul Bheke’s 50th start for the Islanders
In the West Coast Derby, Rahul Bheke, the defensive stalwart of Mumbai City FC, marked his 50th start for the Islanders. However, despite the milestone, Bheke couldn’t make the occasion special as Mumbai City shared points with FC Goa. In all, the defender has made 70 appearances, scoring three goals and providing two assists. Bheke has been one of Mumbai’s most reliable defenders, playing an influential role in clinching the ISL Shield in the previous edition.