Kerala Blasters FC’s late win over Odisha FC was the perfect way to cap off a dramatic Matchweek in the Indian Super League (ISL) that saw some seismic results in the race for the League Shield and the playoffs.
Matchweek 12 started with Jamshedpur FC being denied a rare win in the dying stages of the match by FC Goa at the Furnace which was followed by Hyderabad FC’s clinical win over Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Mumbai City FC were tested by a gritty Chennaiyin FC side, but they continued their fine form to retain their place at the top end of the table.
NorthEast United FC then picked up their first points of the campaign as they upset ATK Mohun Bagan, allowing the Blasters to leapfrog the Mariners into third place with a win over Odisha FC in Kochi. A total of 12 goals were scored across the five matches with four of our five teams winning their respective fixtures.
Jamshedpur FC, a team with just one win in the entire season, showed renewed vigour as they took on FC Goa side who are firmly in the race for the playoffs but it was Aidy Boothroyd’s men who looked like the team that was chasing the teams at the top end of the table as they dominated the first half and twice took the lead in the match.
But defensive lapses and FC Goa’s tendency to strike late in games meant they had to surrender two points late on as their faint hopes of making the playoffs faded even further.
Jamshedpur FC though can take heart from the performance but it is high time they deliver on a consistent basis and convert these displays into points.
Hyderabad FC are flying this season, but a lack of goals has been a bit of a concern for Manolo Marquez’s men. A big part of their relative struggles upfront was the poor form of striker Bartholomew Ogbeche.
But against Bengaluru FC, Hyderabad FC seemed to roll back the days and deliver a performance they became famous for last season. Ogbeche who won the Golden Boot last season led from the front with a brace.
His return to form couldn’t have come at a better time for Hyderabad FC who look to chase Mumbai City FC at the top. As for Bengaluru FC, the challenges keep on mounting with another defeat.
The moment would have been as sweet as his strike to draw Mumbai City FC back in the match for Lalianzuala Chhangte as he scored against his former club to trigger a Mumbai City FC comeback that saw them claim all three points despite falling behind in the match to a Petar Sliskovic goal.
