Chennai, December 28: Bengaluru FC triumphed over Chennaiyin FC with a 4-2 win at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season tonight.

Ryan Williams scored a brace and Sunil Chhetri was also on the scoresheet as Bengaluru FC (27) reduced the deficit at the top with Mohun Bagan Super Giant (29) to only two points with the year coming to an end. Irfan Yadwad and Lalrinliana Hnamte were on the scoresheet for Chennaiyin FC.

The game started with great intensity from the first minute with Rahul Bheke testing Mohammed Nawaz with a header on target. Daniel Chima Chukwu almost handed the lead to the hosts three minutes later, when Lukas Brambilla unleashed him with a defence-splitting pass. The Nigerian’s subsequent effort was blocked by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal.

Despite having more of the ball in the first quarter of the game, the Marina Machans were pegged back when Ryan Williams nestled the ball into the net from a cross delivered by Jorge Pereyra Diaz in the 16th minute. BFC 1 – 0 CFC

But Bengaluru FC’s lead lasted only three minutes as the Marina Machans were rewarded for their sustained pressure with Irfan turning in the equaliser in the 19th minute. It was Brambilla, who was the orchestrator of the goal as he won possession in midfield before he found Irfan with a smart square pass in the penalty area. BFC 1 – 1 CFC

In the 43rd minute, Bengaluru FC took the lead through Sunil Chhetri, against the run of play. Williams found Chhetri in the penalty area completely unmarked with a cross and the record goal-scorer didn’t make any mistake to head it past Nawaz. BFC 2 – 1 CFC

However, Chennaiyin FC clawed their way back right at the stroke of half-time when Gurpreet mismanaged a Lalrinliana Hnamte header following a long throw-in from Bikash Yumnam. BFC 2 – 2 CFC

Chennaiyin FC were the dominant side throughout the first half as they pressed higher up the pitch and won possession in dangerous areas to initiate counter-attacks. However, they weren’t clinical enough to take their chances as the scores were level at the break.

The Marina Machans continued their high press in the second half as they were inducing mistakes from the Bengaluru FC defenders. However, it also meant that the visitors had acres of space behind the Chennaiyin FC defence for them to exploit.

Bengaluru FC almost found the lead in the 56th minute, when Pedro Capo combined with Pereyra Diaz in the final third. However, the former’s effort was parried away by Nawaz. The Blues gradually gained momentum with the likes of Pereyra Diaz, Noguera and Williams getting into the mix of things. They were eventually rewarded when Pereyra Diaz made a timely cut-back to find Williams in the penalty area and the Australian slotted it past Nawaz to put Bengaluru FC ahead in the game in the 69th minute. BFC 3 – 2 CFC

Right after taking the lead, Gerard Zaragoza brought on Aleksandar Jovanovic and Vinith Venkatesh to replace Noguera and Chinglensana Singh to strengthen the backline. In retaliation, Owen Coyle freshened things up with Kiyan Nassiri, replacing Farukh Choudhary in attack.

However, things turned bad to worse for the Marina Machans as Williams’ cross was turned in by Laldinliana Renthlei into his own net in the 82nd minute, handing Bengaluru FC a two-goal advantage. In the last few minutes, Chennaiyin FC had a few openings but they weren’t clinical enough to reduce the deficit as they lost five out of their last six games in the competition. BFC 4 – 2 CFC

Key Performer of the Match
 
Ryan Williams (Bengaluru FC)

The Australian winger was a livewire on the field for Bengaluru FC tonight. He registered a brace while also clocking an assist. He also registered eight crosses and a solitary interception. Williams completed 23 out of his 31 attempted passes.


What next for both teams?

Bengaluru FC will face Jamshedpur FC on January 4 whereas Chennaiyin FC will play Odisha FC on January 9.

Brief Scores

Chennaiyin FC 2 (Irfan Yadwad 19’ Lalrinliana Hnamte 45+2’) – 4 Bengaluru FC (Ryan Williams 16’ 68’ Sunil Chhetri 43’ Laldinliana Renthlei OG 82’)

Stat Pack

Hyderabad, December 28: Hyderabad FC and East Bengal FC played out a 1-1 draw at the G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 this evening. The home side maintained 56.7% of the possession and produced a greater passing accuracy of 87% as opposed to the 74% of their opponents. However, they had to wait right until the 90th minute mark to win a point from this match against the Red & Gold Brigade that had won their last two matches on a trot.

Hyderabad FC made the first move as the proceedings kicked off, as the duo of Isaac Vanmalsawma and Joseph Sunny interlinked in the final third after two minutes to test the East Bengal FC defence. Issac’s pass was laid out for Joseph outside the box, but, instead of engaging in further build-up, the latter attempted a shot from distance that was blocked in time.

The home side kept the pressure up in the following few minutes, compelling Hijazi Maher to concede a corner in the 11th minute. As a consequence of that set-piece, Manoj Mohammad pulled off an aerial effort from the centre of the 18-yard box that missed the target on the right side.

What followed thereafter was a guarded affair with neither of the two sides being able to produce clear cut chances. There was a spate of corners and free-kicks being won, but nothing substantial came out of those moves, until Edmilson Correia dazzled on the left side of the 18-yard box after receiving a pass from Isaac in the 41st minute, adjusted his movement and thundered a shot that missed hitting the woodwork by a whisker on the right side.

Two minutes into the second half, Correia again sprang into action, deftly receiving a lateral delivery in the centre of the box from Cy Goddard, but shot it off target on the right side despite being in close distance from the goal.

It took a fantastic free-kick from Cleiton Silva in the 64th minute to create the move that broke the deadlock in this match. Dimitrios Diamantakos won a foul and Silva stepped up on the ball and discharged an impressive delivery that smashed the crossbar, only to find Jeakson Singh pounce upon the rebound and bundle it into the centre of the net to get the visitors ahead, arguably against the run of momentum.

Hyderabad FC dug deep in the game though, making some compelling moves to find the equaliser. Eventually, it required some quick thinking from Correia as late as in the 90th minute mark to drag his side back after the setback they received from Jeakson’s goal.

Hyderabad FC had the duo of Lenny Rodrigues and Devendra Murgaonkar coming in as substitutes in the 85th minute and fresh legs certainly swayed the game in their favour, with Murgaonkar making an instant impact through an outside-of-the-box shot that was set up for him by Abdul Rabeeh. It didn’t land on target, but showed that the home side was getting on the offensive, before Correia trusted Manoj by passing the ball to him on the left side of the box when he had an opportunity to bury the goal to cap off a quick attacking move. Manoj repaid the faith by holding his composure and dispatching the ball into the bottom right corner to rescue a point for his side from this game.

Key Performer of the Match

Manoj Mohammed (Hyderabad FC)

The defender completed 38 out of his 44 attempted passes, making one interception, three clearances, and demonstrating tremendous command under pressure to score his side’s only goal of the game.

What’s next for both teams?

Hyderabad FC will play their next game against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on January 2. East Bengal FC are set to clash against Mumbai City FC on January 6.

Brief Scores

Hyderabad FC 1 (Manoj Mohammed 90’) – 1 East Bengal FC (Jeakson Singh 64’)

Stats Pack

New Delhi, December 26: Mohun Bagan Super Giant returned to winning ways with a 3-1 – after falling behind, triumph over Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season tonight.

Punjab FC struck first, courtesy of a great strike from Ricky Shabong whereas the Mariners retaliated with a strong second-half performance which saw Alberto Rodriguez score a brace while Jamie Maclaren converted from the spot.

It was a swift start for the hosts as Nikhil Prabhu tried his luck from long range and struck the crossbar, handing the Mohun Bagan Super Giant defenders and Vishal Kaith a wake-up call early on. In the 12th minute of the match, the visitors were again caught ball-watching and this time Punjab FC made them pay, courtesy of a brilliant solo effort from Ricky Shabong. The young midfielder found a pocket of space on the left flank and drove forward. He eventually nestled the ball into the net past Kaith as the defenders failed to close down the space in the penalty area.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant almost came up with the equaliser when Asish Rai found himself in space and made a great volley on target. But Punjab FC custodian Ravi Kumar was alert to the danger as he parried it away. While the Mariners were clearly lacking a creative outlet on the field, Punjab FC’s all-Indian backline also made life difficult for Jason Cummings and Maclaren upfront. The most impressive of the lot was Pramveer Singh, who became the youngest player to start an ISL match at the age of 17 years and 189 days.

The second half started strongly for the visitors as Rodriguez rose highest from a corner delivered by Cummings to turn in the equaliser in the 48th minute. It was an excellent delivery as the Spaniard reacted before Ravi Kumar to head it home. This was Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s seventh goal from a corner this season, the highest in the competition.

Three minutes later, things turned from bad to worse for Punjab FC as Ezequiel Vidal was penalised for a challenge on Liston Colaco. He was initially booked for the foul and was later sent off for dissent, reducing the hosts to 10 men.

Jose Molina’s men were rewarded for their persistent pressure as the referee pointed to the spot after Anirudh Thapa was brought down in the penalty area. Maclaren stood up to the spot and hammered it home, handing Mohun Bagan Super Giant the lead in the 63rd minute. Eventually, they scored the third goal in the 69th minute when Thapa turned creator following a corner and found Rodriguez in space in the penalty area. The Spaniard made no mistake in completing his brace.

Molina turned to Sahal Abdul Samad in the 78th minute replacing Maclaren and he almost increased the lead but his effort was parried away by Ravi Kumar. Eventually, the visitors did enough to secure all three points as they ended their year five points clear atop, with 29 points as compared to the second-placed Bengaluru FC’s 24.

Key Player of the Match
 
Alberto Rodriguez (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

The Spanish defender scored two crucial headers to bring the visitors back into the game in the second half. Rodriguez also held his lines brilliantly after conceding early on. He clocked three interceptions and two clearances while completing 43 out of 49 attempted passes.


What next for both teams?

Both teams will now play in the new year, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant returning home to host Hyderabad FC next on January 2 whereas Punjab FC will lock horns against Kerala Blasters FC on January 5.

Brief Scores
Punjab FC (Ricky Shabong 12’) 1 – 3 Mohun Bagan Super Giant (Alberto Rodiguez 48’ 69’ Jamie Maclaren 64’)

Stats Pack

Hyderabad, December 23: NorthEast United FC wrapped up their two-game-long losing streak and put in a display of confidence, by coming from two goals behind to secure a 5-2 victory against Hyderabad FC at the G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 tonight. Hyderabad FC, who had conceded six goals post the 60th minute mark this season prior to this match, added three more to that tally as NorthEast United FC struck thrice in the final 30-odd minutes to move two places up at the sixth spot in the points table. This was Hyderabad FC’s first loss after a nine-game-long unbeaten streak against NorthEast United FC.

Hyderabad FC pressed on the offensive from the beginning, as Edmilson Correia took the onus with a solo effort in the fifth minute. He dazzled into the box from the left flank and beat challenges from Dinesh Singh and Asheer Akhtar with some quick footwork to drill the ball into the bottom left corner to get an early lead. HFC 1 – 0 NEUFC

Seven minutes later, Cy Goddard controlled the ball impeccably in a pocket of space down the middle outside of the 18-yard box. He played a pass for Sourav K on the right flank, who’s perfectly weighted cross was met on a bounce by Correia before he dispatched it into the bottom right corner to notch his brace. HFC 2 – 0 NEUFC

However, NorthEast United FC were not overawed by the early passage of play and soon began dissecting the Hyderabad FC defence with ease. In the 18th minute, Jithin M.S. took a shot from inside the box, but the ball’s pace was cut down by a crowded box, before Guillermo Fernández lapped upon a loose ball and hammered it into the centre of the goal to cut the deficit. HFC 2 – 1 NEUFC

While the home side managed to see off the rest of the half without any major threats to goal, NorthEast United FC’s attacking onslaught picked up intensity in the second essay.

In the 54th minute, Macarton Nickson brought out a creative shot from distance, which was intended to hit the right side of the goal. The shot, however, took a deflection off Lenny Rodrigues and landed nearly in the middle of the net to equalise the scores. It was eventually awarded as an own goal by the Hyderabad FC midfielder. HFC 2 – 2 NEUFC

Seven minutes later, Guillermo got the visitors the lead, after a link-up play with Alaaeddine Ajaraie. The Hyderabad FC defence wore a slightly disoriented look when Ajaraie attempted a powerful shot from the edge of the box. The effort lacked precision, but the deflection was ably pounced upon and slotted into the bottom right corner by Guillermo. HFC 2 – 3 NEUFC

NorthEast United FC began exploring an array of chances to break down the Hyderabad FC backline thereafter. Mohammed Bemammer undertook a direct approach when he hauled in a long ball from the centre of the field, and it was met perfectly by Ajaraie, who nodded it beyond goalkeeper Karanjit Singh to secure a safe advantage for his team in the 73rd minute. HFC 2 – 4 NEUFC

Five minutes later, Alex Saji committed an error resulting in another own goal for the home team. Parthib Gogoi, who had come off the bench, received a long pass inside the box and tried to net it from an acute angle on the left flank. The effort didn’t have enough vigour behind it but Saji ended up directing it inside the net after the ball diverted off his lumping challenge, capping off a five-goal outing for the Highlanders. HFC 2 – 5 NEUFC

Key Performer of the Match

Guillermo Fernández (NorthEast United FC)

The attacking midfielder completed 16 out of his 22 attempted passes, making a solitary tackle, and scoring two important goals too.

What’s next for both teams?

Hyderabad FC will play their next match against East Bengal FC on December 28. NorthEast United FC will be squaring off against Mumbai City FC on December 30.

Brief Scores

Hyderabad FC 2 (Edmilson Correia 5’ 12’) – 5 NorthEast United FC (Guillermo Fernández 18’ 61’, Lenny Rodrigues OG 54’, Alaaeddine Ajaraie 73’, Alex Saji OG 78’)

Stat Pack

Kochi, December 22: Kerala Blasters FC returned to winning ways with a dominant 3-0 triumph over Mohammedan SC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season tonight. With this win, the home team completed a league double over Mohammedan SC this season.

A stellar second half performance from Kerala Blasters FC saw the likes of Noah Sadaoui and Alexandre Coeff get on the scoresheet along with an own goal from Bhaskar Roy.

The first half hour of the game saw both defences holding their shape and thwarting the opposition’s attack. However, the hosts had a few half chances with Noah orchestrating most of the moves. He combined with Kwame Peprah brilliantly before the drinks break but the Ghanaian’s header was too tame to trouble Roy in goal.

The final quarter of the first half saw Kerala Blasters FC dominate possession, whereas Mohammedan SC were happy to sit back and hold their lines.

However, Kerala Blasters FC eventually created the best opening of the first half when Adrian Luna found Noah in the box with a long ball. The Moroccan headed the ball towards an onrushing Korou Singh. However, the youngster’s header struck the post before Peprah nestled the side netting, summing up the first period which saw only a solitary shot on target.

Kerala Blasters FC continued their dominance in the second half with Milos Drincic coming very close to breaking the deadlock from a corner delivered by Luna. The defender rose the highest from the corner and made a great connection but he was denied by Bhaskar, who made a diving save to keep the visitors in the game. Luna found Drincic in the subsequent corner as well but this time he headed it wide.

Kerala Blasters FC finally broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute courtesy of an error from Bhaskar Roy. The Mohammedan SC custodian misjudged a corner kick from Luna as he tried to punch it out instead of gathering the ball. Therefore he deflected the ball into his own net, opening the scoring for the game.

In the meantime, Kerala Blasters FC almost doubled the lead with Korou squaring it to Luna in the box. But before it could reach him, Zodingliana Ralte cleared it away. In the 71st minute, Andrey Chernyshov unleashed Cesar Manzoki replacing Carlos Franca upfront in search of an equaliser.

However the hosts doubled their lead in the 80th minute when Korou found Noah in the penalty area after Luna’s corner kick was cleared away. The Moroccan was in acres of space to direct a thunderous header into the bottom right corner.

Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters FC brought in Alexandre Coeff and Lalthanmawia Renthlei to close out the game. The Frenchman made an instant impact as he scored the third goal for the hosts in the 90th minute. He found himself at the end of a cross from Luna and hammered the ball home to seal their fourth win of the campaign.

Key Performer of the match

Adrian Luna (Kerala Blasters)

Although Luna registered a solitary assist, he played a key role in creating all three goals on the night. He also put in the hard yards throughout the ninety minutes. He created six chances whilst putting in 10 crosses. He also had a tackle and interception while clocking 79% passing accuracy.

What next for both teams?

Mohammedan SC will play Odisha FC on December 27 whereas Kerala Blasters will face Jamshedpur FC next on December 29.

Brief Scores 

Kerala Blasters 3 (Bhaskar Roy OG 62’ Noah Sadaoui 80’ Alexandre Coeff 90’) – 0 Mohammedan SC. 

Stat Pack