New Delhi, 26 December 2023: Odisha FC kept their third consecutive clean sheet and extended their unbeaten streak in all competitions to 10 games to secure a 1-0 victory over Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 Tonight.

The Juggernauts rode on an early opener by Fijian forward Roy Krishna to take three points from this clash as the home side fell short of building upon their maiden victory in the competition that they notched last week against Chennaiyin FC.

True to head coach Sergio Lobera’s philosophy, the visitors held the major chunk of the possession (64.7%) as they outclassed the opponents at the centre of the park to maintain their assertiveness in the flow of play across both halves.

Odisha FC were unfortunately unable to break the deadlock in their goalless draw away from home against East Bengal FC. Lobera addressed that by unleashing his striker duo of Krishna and Diego Mauricio, helping the Juggernauts pile constant pressure on the ISL debutants.

Ahmed Jahouh delivered a precise corner from a set-piece in the 18th minute that Krishna hammered just off target on the right side of the net. However, the fact that the incumbent Super Cup winners had put Punjab FC on the back foot helped them convert one of these opportunities, which was brought about by promising young winger Isak Vanlalruatfela three minutes later.

Isak has improved significantly under Lobera’s tutelage. He set up the winner for Krishna from very close range and the former Bengaluru FC star didn’t blink twice before depositing the ball into the back of the net. That was followed by Mauricio hitting on target, as he scrapped through a tight situation to shoot from a difficult angle in the 27th minute, but the home side kept that effort at bay.

Punjab FC too had their chances, with Samuel Kynshi and Madih Talal joining hands to take shots at the Odisha FC defence. However, a strong backline guarded by a seasoned goalkeeper in Amrinder Singh, who now has 44 clean sheets in his ISL career, ensured that the home team caused little damage to their winning prospects.

Key Performer of the Match

Roy Krishna (Odisha FC)

Krishna played 38 passes, made three tackles and crosses each, in addition to netting the winner for Odisha FC. Whilst the strike in itself was very important, but his overall contributions in the build-up cannot be understated either.

What’s next for both teams?

Odisha FC will now host Jamshedpur FC on December 29, whereas the first-half of the ISL season for Punjab FC has come to an end with this match.

Brief Scores

Punjab FC 0 – 1 Odisha FC (Roy Krishna 21’)

Stat Pack:

Kolkata, 26 December, 2023: Mohun Bagan Super Giant will be gearing up for a crucial encounter at home as take on arch rivals and in-form Kerala Blasters FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on December 27, Wednesday. The Mariners find themselves in a precarious position after nine games, having suffered consecutive defeats against their nearest competitors in the last couple of matches.

The streak began with a gruelling 2-1 defeat at the home of Mumbai City FC, before FC Goa had a strong outing against them, wrapping up a 4-1 victory in their own backyard. Juan Ferrando will need to go back to the drawing board to do a lot of searching as a spate of injuries and absence of key players give him a truncated squad to work with.

The club made a remarkable investment to strengthen the squad with the acquisition of multiple top-tier international and domestic players to further their ambitions at both the country as well as the continental level. The latter came crashing down with their group-stage exit from the AFC Cup, but Ferrando has to salvage pride by competing for the topmost honours in all competitions at home. On the other hand is a Kerala Blasters FC unit that seems eager to bring an end to their wait for the silverware this season.

The Ivan Vukomanovic-coached side has brushed aside concerns over the injury of skipper Adrian Luna with other senior and also inexperienced stars assuming responsibility and delivering the goods consistently against other teams. They swept aside Mumbai City FC by a 2-0 margin in the previous match, but can they replicate those heroics on the road too?

What’s at stake?

Mohun Bagan Super Giant

At stake for the Mariners is the chance to break this unwanted losing streak and get on top of the team that is placed just a place above them in the points table at the moment. They could not have come up against a better opposition to do so though, as their unbeaten record against Kerala Blasters FC is something that Ferrando would want to hold dear to after this game. Kerala Blasters FC have lost five times and drawn once in their six matches against the Mariners in the ISL. In fact, the Kochi-based club are amongst the three teams including Odisha FC and East Bengal FC that are yet to defeat the Mariners in the ISL.

The quality in the MBSG squad is such that they manage to come out triumphant more often than not. Despite the spate of injuries in this campaign, they have scored 19 goals from an expected goals (xG) tally of 12.56 this season, with the Mariners’ xG differential of +6.44 being the highest of all teams in the competition. Ferrando will want for all that to come to the fore in this game.

Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters FC are on a roll after their clinical 2-0 win against Mumbai City FC even with the absence of captain Adrian Luna. They showed no signs of rustiness as the forwards stepped up and unleashed their impeccable potential with Dimitrios Diamantakos and Kwame Peprah scoring and setting a goal each, in addition to a brilliant defensive performance. The clean sheets would come as a relief for Vukomanovic, as the team has not conceded a goal in their previous two matches and the last time they went on a longer stretch was of three games in December 2014.

The Mariners aren’t the ideal opposition to seal that feat though, as the home team has scored a goal in each of their last 10 matches in the top-tier. In fact, the depth of Ferrando’s squad allows him to introduce quality substitutes and that has resulted in them scoring 10 goals in the second-half of matches this season.

Key Players

Hector Yuste (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

The Spanish midfielder has been a valuable resource at the centre of the park for the Mohun Bagan Super Giant. He has recorded nearly one interception, 1.3 tackles, and 3.5 clearances per game, whilst playing an average of 47 passes per game at an accuracy of 87%. Yuste has also notched an assist and will don a crucial role in helping the Mariners win the faceoff in the midfield against the Kerala Blasters FC. Not only will he be tasked with breaking the waves of attacks from the opposition, Yuste will also have to constantly keep playing forward passes to set the tempo of the proceedings. He can chip into the box during set-pieces as well, and is an all-round package whose potential has not been optimally unleashed in the ISL thus far. Ferrando will be banking on him to have a cracker of a second-half of the season to help the team realise their ambitions in the ISL.

Prabir Das (Kerala Blasters FC)

Prabir Das is someone who has played every season of the ISL so far and that experience reflects in the solid addition that he has become to the Kerala Blasters FC defensive unit this year. In six appearances, he has made five tackles, 10 interceptions, and 14 clearances, in addition to making a couple of goal-scoring chances to round off a formidable run for the outfit in this campaign. His pairing with Pritam Kotal brings in a sense of assurance to the backline that helps the midfielders explore opportunities upfront without being overly concerned about leaving the defence exposed. Das can fill in various roles at the back, and his versatility coupled with efficiency in carrying out the required tasks make him a valuable asset to any team.

Head-to-Head

Played – 6

Mohun Bagan Super Giant – 5

Kerala Blasters FC – 0

Draws – 1

Trivia: Pritam Kotal has made 23 interceptions in the current ISL season, the highest for any player in the competition.

Team Talk

“We continue with the same situation. Ashish and Yuste can play now. Team is the most important thing for me. We are ready for the next match. We are thinking of the best line-up, who’s fit, and about getting the three points,” Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Juan Ferrando said.

“We have a great group of players, great characters, we have stuck together with team spirit and by fighting for each other. It’s nice to be at the top though we have played more games than FC Goa, who are more consistent with victories and their defensive work I’d say,” Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic said in the pre-match press conference.

ISL Fantasy

Hector Yuste (3.6cr)

One assist so far in ISL 2023-24

Asish Rai (4.6cr)

Consistent performer at the back for the Mariners

Dimitrios Diamatankos (8.4cr)

Six goals so far in this season

If not registered already, fans can participate in the overall league or club-based leagues based on their preferences. Create private leagues, inviting friends and fellow football aficionados to compete. Prizes include a Sony PlayStation ®️ ️5 gaming console, EA Sports FC 24, signed club merchandise, and a Gift Card worth INR 20,000, which will be awarded to 100 winners at the end of the season. Sign up at: https://fantasy.indiansuperleague.com/

Where to Watch

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 SD & HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam) & DD Bangla (Bengali). In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.

Points Table

Subhasish Bose, the prominent Indian footballer with an impressive career spanning multiple ISL clubs and the national team, shares insights into his journey and the impact of football in India. In an interaction with the league, Bose highlights the transformative role of the Indian Super League (ISL) in shaping the dreams of the current generation.

As a player with 34 caps for the Indian national team and stints with distinguished ISL clubs such as Mumbai City FC, Bengaluru FC, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Bose has witnessed success and personal growth. Winning the ISL final and the Durand Cup with his club, as well as being part of the national team’s triumphs in the Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championship, mark significant achievements in his career.

However, the 28-year-old, a staunch Mohun Bagan supporter since his younger days, still recollects the time when he had divorced the idea of building a career out of football.

“There is a lot of opportunity and the ISL has helped spread the message amongst the masses that football can be taken up as a profession in India. When we started off, it was pure passion at play. I wasn’t sure whether I could sustain my family by merely playing the game. However, the ISL has helped bring in greater exposure and the league is helping the current generation dream big, become professional footballers, and represent their favourite clubs and most importantly, the country,” Bose says in an interaction with the league.

“I feel very passionate about playing for the Mariners, because I believe they are the best fans in the country,” he says.

Hailing from Kolkata, Bose has been in love with the game and his club for as long as he can remember. He is someone who thrives under pressure, and rides on the emotions that fans create inside the stadium. Admittedly, the versatile defender is encouraged to regain his spirits and give the game his all in the dying minutes of a match solely because of the support that is showered on him by the Mariners’ fan base. “I feel very passionate about playing for the Mariners, because I believe they are the best fans in the country,” he says.

“Winning the ISL trophy with the Mohun Bagan Super Giant last season has been the highlight of my career in this league so far. We had been trying for that for many years and to achieve it finally was a great moment. Secondly, scoring against India’s best goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu during our matches against Bengaluru FC is a very memorable moment! Every game that I play in front of the Mohun Bagan crowd is something to cherish. Even when I am tired at around the 70-80 minute mark, they cheer us up and it energises me even more, encouraging me to perform even better,” Bose adds.

Any conversation about Kolkata football is incomplete without mentioning the century-old rivalry between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC. Subhasish Bose humorously recalls avoiding discussions with friends from the Red & Gold Brigade during derby days. Simultaneously, he cautions that the rivalry should be restricted only on the field and bad blood should not spill beyond the duration of the game.

“The fan base for Indian football has grown a lot.”

“Ever since childhood, as a Bengali boy, I didn’t talk to my friends who are East Bengal FC fans during the derby day. As a professional player, I believe that these things help grow Indian football. However, I would always insist for the rivalry to exist only for the 90 minutes that the game takes place. Now, I have a lot of friends who are East Bengal FC fans, but the rivalry between us remains only for the time of the game. After that, we go out, have dinner, have fun, etc,” Bose says.

“The fan base for Indian football has grown a lot. People used to consume only European football, mainly the English Premier League (EPL) earlier. But, that interest is getting converted into our sport now. Kolkata is known as the mecca of football in India because of the rivalry between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC,” he adds.

“Indian Super League (ISL) has helped Indian football and its players grow tremendously in the last decade”

Indian football has seen Bose evolve from a talented youngster to a dependable defender who takes up responsibilities during important moments for both his club and the country. Bose credits the ISL for helping him get acquainted with international expertise, in the form of coaches and players who have enabled him to discover a newer side of his playing style. “The Indian Super League (ISL) has helped Indian football and its players grow tremendously in the last decade. Playing under foreign coaches and Spanish, French, and other teammates, who have played for their national team, have enabled us to improve our individual qualities too. It has encouraged us to play more fearlessly for the national team,” Bose signs off.

New Delhi, 25 December 2023: Punjab FC will look to ride on the highs of their maiden Indian Super League (ISL) victory last week as they prepare to host Odisha FC on December 26, Tuesday, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi to commence the 12th matchweek of the season. After a 10-match-long barren run seeking their inaugural win, the ISL debutants fuelled the fire with a Madih Talal inspired winner to secure the victory against Chennaiyin FC last week.

To go into the season break with two wins in two games will be incredible for the team, and they will be hoping to get the desired outcome considering that the Juggernauts come into this match after a rather unexpected goalless draw against East Bengal FC. It has been a middling campaign for Punjab FC so far. Starting off afresh in the top-tier was never going to be easy, but five draws in 11 games suggest that they have matched their more fancied oppositions many times over the last few months.

Their defensive solidity, coupled with Talal’s sharp creativity and goal-scoring instinct propelled their success against the Marina Machans, and Punjab FC will be eager to hold tight to those strengths against Sergio Lobera’s men.

Odisha FC are fifth in the table and a draw against the Red & Gold Brigade must have raised some questions within the camp given that they would have backed themselves to take three points from that fixture. Dropping points just deepens them in the mid-table muddle and the Juggernauts should aim to get above these setbacks and contend for the top spot in the second half of the campaign. The last match should be taken as an aberration for Odisha FC, who managed to shoot on target only once in the Salt Lake Stadium.

What’s at stake?

Punjab FC

Punjab FC will be gearing up nicely for their first-ever ISL encounter against Odisha FC, but a deterring record must be troubling them, which is the fact that they haven’t won in their maiden encounter against any team this season. Even their victory against Chennaiyin FC came during their second faceoff against the Owen Coyle-coached team. It is likely that they might be better off taking learning from each opposition, given that every side might be an unknown commodity for them at the moment. They can arguably work on stitching together more sustainable attacking patterns in the final third, though.

Punjab FC have taken 47% of their shots from outside of the box in this campaign, which is the highest amongst all teams. Though it speaks highly of the individual brilliance and confidence amongst their players, a team naturally enhances their goal-scoring chances when they start testing the opposition’s goalkeeper from nearer or inside the box. Talal’s winner in the previous game testified that, as he blazed into the box and fired one past Debjit Majumder on the near post to get his side the three points. Will this be an insight that Punjab FC intends to work upon in this match? Let’s wait and watch.

Odisha FC

Odisha FC have kept four clean sheets in their last five games, including a couple in the last two games on a bounce. Never before in the ISL have the Juggernauts not conceded a goal in three consecutive matches. However, a disciplined defensive unit is the base or the foundation upon which the success of any Lobera-coached side is built. The centre-back duo of Mourtada Fall and Carlos Delgado has been at the top of the game throughout, with the former chipping in with crucial goals, helping them maximise set-piece situations from time to time.

The midfield has blended creativity with a sense of solidity that ensures that both the objectives are fulfilled, whereas the frontline headed by the experienced duo of Roy Krishna and Diego Mauricio instil significant confidence amongst the players. To cap it all off, they have a seasoned goalkeeper in Amrinder Singh, who has become the custodian to keep the most clean sheets (42) in ISL history. Despite the strength of their offensive unit, Odisha FC did not really fire from all cylinders in the match against East Bengal FC. Such minor slip ups can be costly for their overall ambitions for the season, and hence Lobera should be looking to get his men back on track from the forthcoming fixture onwards.

Key Players

Madih Talal (Punjab FC)

It’s difficult to look beyond the 26-year-old French attacking midfielder after he single-handedly pioneered Punjab FC to victory in the previous match. Madih Talal was the star of the show against Chennaiyin FC, and he will have to be the star of many such shows moving forward for his team to see similar successes in the second half of the season. In 11 appearances, Talal has one goal and two assists to his name. He has created 19 goal-scoring opportunities, taking 23 shots, and earning a total of 34 fouls so far.

His interlinking with Luka Majcen and Juan Mera can induce incredible creativity and sharpness in Punjab FC’s offensive endeavours. More than anything, Talal is gifted enough to take on the opposition and produce a magical moment in an individual capacity against the flow of events. Such unpredictability is often helpful, provided Punjab FC can still hope by resting on his shoulders even if they are pegged back by Odisha FC in certain phases of the upcoming game.

Amrinder Singh (Odisha FC)

Amrinder Singh has arguably rediscovered his best form under Lobera – the manager under whom he captained Mumbai City FC to the historic domestic league double in ISL 2020-21. His reflexes have been sharp, and his distribution has been accurate, allowing Odisha FC to build attacking moves in different ways. He has the ability to launch a long ball to target forwards like Krishna and Mauricio upfront, ensuring that the Juggernauts can take a more direct route to the goal whenever required too. One of Punjab FC’s biggest strengths is to test the opposition from distance, and Amrinder is well adept at thwarting them, having made 11 saves against shots from outside the box in the current ISL season, the most by any goalkeeper to have maintained a 100% save rate against such shots in 2023-24.

Head-to-Head

This is the first fixture in the ISL between the two sides.

Trivia: Odisha FC midfielder Ahmed Jahouh has made the most successful long passes (104) by any player in ISL 2023-24.

Team Talk

“We are completely focused on today. About the game, I think they (Punjab FC) are playing well; they are trying to play good football. I like the team very much. Obviously, it’s their first season and the competition in the ISL is very difficult. But they have shown progress and the last win must have given them motivation for this game,” Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera said in the pre-match press conference.

“We are very happy that we won our first match in the ISL. But, we have made many mistakes in the past when we played well, were winning, but could not register the win. So, we should be more conscious about our upcoming matches, and also plan accordingly to give a good performance tomorrow,” Punjab FC assistant coach Sankarlal Chakraborty said prior to the game.

ISL Fantasy

Juan Mera (7.8cr)

One goal and two assists in ISL 2023-24

Madih Talal (5.5cr)

Scored the winner against Chennaiyin FC

Amrinder Singh (4.2cr)

Five clean sheets in 10 appearances this season

If not registered already, fans can participate in the overall league or club-based leagues based on their preferences. Create private leagues, inviting friends and fellow football aficionados to compete. Prizes include a Sony PlayStation ®️ ️5 gaming console, EA Sports FC 24, signed club merchandise, and a Gift Card worth INR 20,000, which will be awarded to 100 winners at the end of the season. Sign up at: https://fantasy.indiansuperleague.com/

Where to Watch

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 SD & HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam) & DD Bangla (Bengali). In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.

Points Table

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 matchweek 12 commences on Boxing Day, Tuesday, post-Christmas celebrations. As the competition heads to take a break at the halfway stage, Odisha FC will play twice in the coming set of matches, whereas teams from across the table square off against each other to move forward in their quest of realising their objectives for the campaign.

Punjab FC and Jamshedpur FC will hope to build on their confidence and momentum from their much-needed victories last week, whereas the duo of Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Mumbai City FC will look to bounce back from their recent setbacks. FC Goa will round off the first-half of the ISL 2023-24 season in Guwahati against NorthEast United FC, as the Highlanders hope to break free from their six-match winless run. Here are certain key themes to look forward to in the coming week of the campaign.

Marquee clash in Kolkata

Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) is in a difficult spot at the moment, having lost their last two games against Mumbai City FC and FC Goa. These matches were opportunities for them to bridge the gaps at the top of the standings, but the Mariners were unable to do so, arguably compelling head coach Juan Ferrando to go back to the drawing board.

On December 27, they await the arrival of the high-flying Kerala Blasters FC, who beat the Islanders 2-0 in Kochi on Sunday. Ivan Vukomanovic and his side are a different threat at home though, and the Mariners will be riding on the support of their own fan base as these two star-studded teams clash promising fierce fireworks and some top-class footballing action in matchweek 12.

Odisha FC can’t afford dropping points

Sergio Lobera & Co. hit a roadblock in Kolkata when they played a goalless draw against East Bengal FC. The Juggernauts could hit only a shot on target during the game as they succumbed to their third draw of the season, taking their tally of dropped points to 12 after 10 games.

Lobera will be hopeful of warding off these concerns at the home of Punjab FC on Tuesday, before they host Jamshedpur FC on December 29. There is undoubted quality and experience stuffed in this Odisha FC unit and that has reflected in their successes in the AFC Cup too. However, they need to brush aside these temporary phases of inconsistency that can take a big toll in their eventual outcome of the campaign.

Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC seek turnarounds

Chennaiyin FC were nicely garnering some positive momentum before they were hit with a defeat against Punjab FC in New Delhi. However, Owen Coyle has had enough time to make corrections to that as the Marina Machans prepare to take on Mumbai City FC away from home on December 28. Chennaiyin FC have found their goal-scoring boots, thanks to a gifted frontline as they have struck the back of the net 15 times in 11 games.

Regardless of the purported gap in the quality of their squad and the Islanders, Coyle is capable of making his team take the game to the Islanders. Mumbai City FC heads into this match after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to the Kerala Blasters FC, which brought curtains down to their unbeaten start to the season. With two goalless draws and a defeat in the four matches since Petr Kratky took over, Mumbai City FC will be keen to find answers to their woes before the league break.

FC Goa looks to sign off the year in style

With Mumbai City FC’s loss in Kochi, FC Goa is the only team who is yet to face a defeat this season. With seven victories and two draws, their 23 points equals Bengaluru FC’s record from 2018-19 for the best start for any team in an ISL season after nine matches. The Gaurs now have a chance to go into the January break with a clean slate if they avoid a defeat in Guwahati against NorthEast United FC.

Manolo Marquez and his men have been relentless thus far, sweeping past even the best of opponents in sublime style. Their 4-1 victory against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant was the biggest loss that the Mariners have faced at home in ISL history, and the Gaurs look set to break many such records if they are able to continue this rich vein of form for the rest of the campaign.

Team of the Week

Goalkeeper: Amrinder Singh (Odisha FC)

Defenders: Nishu Kumar (East Bengal FC), Suresh Meitei (Punjab FC), Marko Leskovic (Kerala Blasters FC), Jessel Carneiro (Bengaluru FC)

Midfielders: Amarjit Singh Kiyam (Punjab FC), Suresh Singh Wangjam (Bengaluru FC), Madih Talal (Punjab FC)

Forwards: Noah Sadaoui (FC Goa), Dimitrios Diamantakos (Kerala Blasters FC), Daniel Chima Chukwu (Jamshedpur FC)

ISL Fantasy Data

Points- 77

Average points: 40

Top 5 point scorers:

Daniel Chima Chukwu- 14 points

Bipin Singh- 11 points

Noah Sadaoui- 11 points

Dimitrios Diamantakos – 9 points

Kwame Peprah – 9 points

Ones to watch:

Kwame Peprah

Amey Ranawade

Sandesh Jhingan

Bipin Singh

If not registered already, fans can participate in the overall league or club-based leagues based on their preferences. Create private leagues, inviting friends and fellow football aficionados to compete. Prizes include a Sony PlayStation®️5 gaming console, EA Sports FC 24, signed club merchandise, and a Gift Card worth INR 20,000, will be awarded to 100 winners at the end of the season. Sign up at:  https://fantasy.indiansuperleague.com/

Where to catch the ISL action

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 SD & HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam) & DD Bangla (Bengali). In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.

 

–

Bengaluru, December 24: Bengaluru FC bounced back with a late equaliser by the 22-year-old Sivasakthi Narayanan to settle for a point after a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 to start off the Sunday double header.

The two teams, seeking much-needed momentum, commenced the proceedings on Christmas Eve as the City of Gardens decked up beautifully to celebrate the festive season. However, celebrations didn’t come easy for the Blues early in the match, who faltered in their numerous attempts to draw the first blood in this encounter.

Javi Hernandez and Ryan Williams, who replaced Slavko Damjanovic in the starting XI, came together to keep the NorthEast United FC defence on their toes. Williams was finding it easy to get into the wider areas of the 18-yard box, delivering quick, short passes for the onrushing Hernandez and Sunil Chhetri in the middle. However, neither Hernandez nor Chhetri were successful in shooting on target, as they missed rather golden opportunities to get a lead with their respective efforts in the 17th and the 47th minutes with the ball sailing above the posts.

For a long stretch of the proceedings, it appeared that a drab, goalless draw was on the cards. NorthEast United FC did not make many chances, but one particular long-distance shot from Jithin M.S. in the 56th minute required a fully stretched Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to palm the ball away. Steadily, they capitalised on a Bengaluru FC backline that was arguably dropping their guard, as the fleet footed Parthib Gogoi earned a spot-kick for the Highlanders in the 86th minute.

Up stepped Nestor Albiach to take the penalty, as he shot it with such firm power and precision that Sandhu couldn’t help his team’s cause this time around. However, what that goal did was it reinvigorated the spirits of the home side, who perhaps realised the repercussions that could have come with another home defeat. They pressed all their buttons, attacking the box from lateral areas, and a curling, accurate cross by Jessel Carneiro from the left flank was met perfectly and nodded home by substitute Sivasakthi to salvage a point for the Gerard Zaragoza-coached side.

Key Performer of the Match

Jessel Carneiro (Bengaluru FC)

Jessel made a whopping 57 passes, completing 45 of them in this game. He made two clearances and interceptions each, in addition to tackling once, and creating a couple of goal-scoring opportunities to deliver an all-round effort. His assist for Sivasakthi’s goal was both timely and skilful, and the former Kerala Blasters FC star will be hoping to build on this performance going ahead in the season.

What’s next for both teams?

NorthEast United FC will host FC Goa on December 29 for their next fixture, whereas Bengaluru FC have capped off their first-half of the campaign with this match.

Brief Scores

Bengaluru FC 1 (Sivasakthi Narayanan 90+5’) – 1 NorthEast United FC (Nestor Albiach 86’)

Kolkata, 23 December 2023: Mohun Bagan Super Giant succumbed to their second straight defeat as FC Goa sealed a comfortable 4-1 victory over them at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 tonight. The Gaurs stepped foot into the City of Joy and put forth a joyous performance orchestrated by their creative attacking duo of Noah Sadaoui and Victor Rodriguez to inflict the biggest loss at home for the Mariners in the ISL.

This was only the second game when the Mohun Bagan Super Giant conceded four goals or more in an ISL fixture ever. Noah kicked start the processions by converting a spot-kick that the Gaurs earned due to a handball by Manvir Singh inside the 18-yard box. Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith guessed the direction of the kick by Noah perfectly, but the sheer power drilled into the shot by the Moroccan ensured that Manolo Marquez’s men got an early lead in the contest.

The 30-year-old was a menace for the Mohun Bagan Super Giant defensive unit throughout the game though, as he seamlessly switched between flanks to cut into their backline and take shots at Kaith. In fact, the home side’s backline wore an uncharacteristically unarranged look in this game. Brandon Fernandes & Co. were able to break apart them with simple, straightforward through balls, and that resulted in this heavy loss that can likely send tremors down the Kolkata-based club.

Spanish midfielder Rodriguez doubled the lead in the 42nd minute, thanks to a quick one-two that he played with Carl McHugh at the edge of the box. Rodriguez received a curling ball from the right flank, and he teed off a quick pass to McHugh who returned the favour immediately. He collected the ball with sheer finesse, before launching a powerful shot resulting in the ball hitting the back of the net.

An interesting passage of play followed, which had Noah bringing up his brace, thanks to an assist by Brandon, that made the FC Goa star the third highest assist maker in the ISL. With 22 assists, Brandon is only behind Hugo Boumous (32) and Roy Krishna (23) in the all-time list. Here, he pierced the Mohun Bagan Super Giant defence with a short pass and the move was put to bed by Sadaoui. Dimitrios Petratos produced a breath-taking free-kick late in the added time of the first half to cut the deficit, also breaking FC Goa’s five-match-long streak of keeping clean sheets.

However, that incredible goal couldn’t inspire a fitting comeback, with FC Goa maintaining total stronghold over the game in the second half. Noah came close to getting a hat-trick, but a vigilant Mariners’ defence kept him at bay. Even an overhead kick couldn’t get him to his third strike of the night. Finally, Carlos Martinez capped off the game by scoring his second goal of the season by converting a late spot-kick in the 91st minute of the game.

Key Performer of the Match

Noah Sadaoui (FC Goa)

Noah delivered an impressive performance oozing all class, as he ran circles around the opposition with his footwork, trickery, and ability to get past the opponents from close places. He netted twice, created a goal-scoring opportunity, and completed 82% of his 34 passes to round off a laudable outing.

What’s next for both teams?

FC Goa will now travel to Guwahati to face NorthEast United FC on December 29, whereas Mohun Bagan Super Giant will next host Kerala Blasters FC on December 26.

Brief Scores

FC Goa 4 (Noah Sadaoui 10’, 45+3’, Victor Rodriguez 42’, Carlos Martinez 90+1’) – 1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant (Dimitrios Petrators 45+7’)

Stat Pack:

Bengaluru, 23 December 2023: Bengaluru FC will host a struggling NorthEast United FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in a bid to get their second successive win under new head coach Gerard Zaragoza. The Blues started their new era under Zaragoza with a 1-0 victory against Jamshedpur FC, thanks to a penalty by Javi Hernandez. They now have a chance to gradually reinforce that result at their bastion against the Highlanders, who are on a five-game winless run at the moment with their last victory coming back in October against the Red Miners.

The Blues have a lot of corrections to make as to how they began this season. On the back of impressive outings in the previous campaign, which included making it to the finals of three competitions, Bengaluru FC must have set high standards for what they would have wanted to achieve this year.

Zaragoza has had ample time to get acquainted with the squad and to make an assessment of whether he has the appropriate profile of players at his disposal to make a change. Being a part of the club as an assistant coach in their title-winning 2018-19 season, he is well aware of the functioning of the outfit, and that familiarity should hold him in good stead in  securing positive results straight away.

For the Highlanders, what started off as a promising season is quickly unfurling in a way that they would not have wanted. They are now in a long-drawn quest for a win and would hope to close out the year with the same, especially given the topsy-turvy ride they have endured at the start of this campaign. There are suggestions that they maximised their potential in the opening run of matches and head coach Juan Pedro Benali would be eager to prove the detractors wrong in this away fixture.

What’s at stake?

Bengaluru FC

For Bengaluru FC, it is all about regaining momentum at the moment. They must be steadily adjusting to the plans laid out by Zaragoza, but simultaneously they do hold a dominating record over the Highlanders. The Blues have never lost at home against NorthEast United FC, winning four games and drawing once in their five encounters at the Kanteerava. They won their most recent such fixture by 1-0, whereas the two sides played out a 1-1 draw when they locked horns in Guwahati earlier this season.

Bengaluru FC must be slightly concerned that it took them a spot-kick to get past Jamshedpur FC at home in the previous game. The three points would have come in as a much-needed breather, but the tactician at helm now will know that a lot needs to be done to get this side back to where they want to be. All bases need to be covered with every department of the playing XI ticking the boxes consistently for them to really get a desirable result in the forthcoming fixture.

NorthEast United FC

The Highlanders embarked on this campaign on a positive note, having secured a final four finish in the Durand Cup prior to the ISL. These were baby steps for NorthEast United FC – a team that had won only once in their 20 league matches last season. Benali has got them better results, undoubtedly, but now it is time to overcome this challenging phase so that they do not succumb into a free fall with no point of return. To be fair, they are not the best of the travellers in the ISL.

NorthEast United FC has lost 35 away matches (home of the opposition) in the league, which is the highest amongst all teams. In fact, they are on a massive 21-game winless streak in away encounters at the moment, which opens a window of opportunity for Benali to set an unfortunate record straight and resurrect the campaign for his young and promising squad. They have come across Bengaluru FC, who are in a spot of bother themselves at this moment. If NorthEast United FC pounce upon the weaknesses of the home side and optimise their strengths, then a good result is there for the taking here.

Key Players

Halicharan Narzary (Bengaluru FC)

The winger arrived at Bengaluru FC amidst high expectations after a successful stint with Hyderabad FC. The departure of Udanta Singh from Bengaluru FC demanded another proven Indian attacker to replace him, and the Blues seemed to have hit the jackpot with Narzary. However, with just one assist and no goals across 464 minutes in seven games, things do not appear to be too rosy for the player in question.

He has not been helped by playing in an inconsistent system, with three different men in Grayson, Renedy Singh, and Zaragoza having been in charge of Bengaluru FC in the ISL 2023-24 so far. Yet, Narzary will be eager to find his mojo back, ripping apart defensive units with his tearaway pace and then delivering decisive passes that make an impact in the proceedings in the final third. Can Zaragoza bring out the best from the seasoned campaigner?

Konsam Phalguni Singh (NorthEast United FC)

Konsam Phalguni Singh scored an absolute outside-of-the-box stunner to hand NorthEast United FC an early lead before they squandered that opportunity in their previous match against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Phalguni Singh has been one of the busier presences in the Highlanders’ frontline this season, scoring twice across 10 games and creating 13 goal-scoring opportunities with a 78% passing accuracy as well.

He has earned a foul on average per game and also recorded five blocks and six interceptions to put in a diligent defensive shift as well. Phalguni, 28, has shown that he has a powerful shot up his sleeves and his ability to unleash that from distance at any given point in the game should keep Gurpreet Singh Sandhu on his toes.

Head-to-Head

Played – 15

Bengaluru FC – 8

NorthEast United FC – 2

Draws – 5

Trivia: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has recorded a total of 34 saves in ISL 2023-24, the highest for any goalkeeper in the competition.

Team Talk

“It’s always a challenge when you change the coach. My expectation is to go day by day and week by week, and we continue like this. We won the first match and we were happy. We had a very nice week working together, and now it’s time tomorrow again to do the positive bits that we did in the last match,” Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza explained in the pre-match press conference.

 

“It’s a totally different team, coach, players, and approach. It’s going to be a difficult game. But, we know our job; we play our way, always to get the best result possible. I cannot comment on his (Zaragoza’s) style of play, it’s only been one game. But, we see there are some slight changes in the teams, in players, the approach is totally different. There are new ideas and fresh air, which is why it won’t be easy,” NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali said.

ISL Fantasy

Sunil Chhetri (7.7cr)

Five goal contributions in ISL 2023-24

Javi Hernandez (10.2cr)

Two goals in the current ISL campaign

Phalguni Singh (5cr)

Scored from a wonderful strike in the previous match

Where to Watch

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 SD & HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam) & DD Bangla (Bengali). In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.Points Table

Kochi, 23 December 2023: Mumbai City FC travels to Kochi to square off against Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in a clash that can have wide repercussions in the top-of-the-table dynamics of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on December 24, Sunday.

The Islanders recovered from consecutive goalless draws to secure their maiden victory under Petr Kratky in a dramatic encounter against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG). The outcome of the 2-1 victory was such that Mumbai will be missing four of their key players, namely: Akash Mishra, Greg Strewart, Vikram Partap Singh, and Rahul Bheke, due to suspensions in this match.

Kratky wore a positive look even after the previous game though, praising the indomitable spirit of his players and saying that the coming game gives him a unique opportunity to test his bench strength. In all likelihood, they cannot afford to take Kerala Blasters FC lightly, particularly when they play in front of Manjappada.

The Kochi-based outfit lost by 2-1 to Mumbai City FC in the reverse fixture at the City of Dreams after Danish Farooq had gotten them an important equaliser in the second half. They will be eager to go one step ahead and inflict a loss upon the Islanders, who desperately want to be near the top-placed spots in the standings.

To their credit, the Islanders are unbeaten in the season so far. However, that does not mean that there aren’t holes to be filled in that setup. The impeccable quality in their squad will face a stern test in the backyard of the Blasters, who are unbeaten in their last six home matches – winning four games and drawing twice.

What’s at stake?

Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters FC will return home after two matches, which included a 1-0 loss in Goa followed by a 1-0 victory against Punjab FC in New Delhi. They have definitely been hit by the absence of skipper Adrian Luna, and it needed a spot-kick by Dimitrios Diamantakos for them to emerge victorious against the ISL debutants. Their creative outputs will surely suffer with the Uruguayan sidelined, but KBFC need to ensure that the rest of weapons in their armoury fire together to stop a terrific Mumbai City FC unit.

In fact, Mumbai City FC have had a good record playing in Kochi over the previous seasons of the ISL. The sole and last victory for the Kerala Blasters FC against Mumbai City FC in Kochi in the ISL came way back on October 14, 2016, in the third season of the league. However, KBFC have also scored in 20 out of their last 22 home games against all opponents, and have adopted an approach where they are unafraid to take the game to them this season. Which is why, they have forced 8.2 high turnovers (winning the ball back within 40 metres of the opposition’s goal) per game in ISL 2023-24, something that’s a clear warning sign for Rostyn Griffiths and his fellow defenders in the Mumbai City FC ranks.

Mumbai City FC

In all fairness, Petr Kratky has started off his stint in the ISL in quite some fashion. After two listless, goalless draws, the clash against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant had everything that one would expect from two teams at the top of their game. The Islanders sneaked past the Mariners with a 2-1 win, but Kratky now has to deal with the aforementioned suspensions and rejig his squad for this crucial away fixture. Challenges are coming thick and fast his way, that too in different forms, with the new tactician being forced to relook his plans early on in his run in this country.

He can draw belief from the fact that the Islanders are promising on the road, having won thrice and drawn twice in their last five away encounters. In fact, they have found the back of the net at least twice in four of those matches. The fact that they have been able to weather the challenges that come for an opposition team in Kochi should hold them in good stead for this fixture too. Kratky will do well to ensure that his playing style and philosophy is not tweaked extensively in the wake of the many absentees that they have for this game, with nothing less than a point being satisfactory for them at this stage of the campaign.

Key Players

Naocha Singh (Kerala Blasters FC)

Naocha Singh has played seven league games this season, recording eight interceptions, 13 clearances, and 24 tackles, to emerge as one of the most tenacious players in their backline despite the presence of a seasoned campaigner like Pritam Kotal. He is averaging 3.4 tackles per game in the current season, the highest such aggregate of any player in the competition so far.

In fact, he has won 18 of his 24 attempted tackles, and will be handful for the Mumbai City FC forwards like Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Bipin Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, amongst others to deal with on Sunday. Naocha has also been incredibly involved in building up play, averaging 41 passes in every match, with an accuracy of 68% on that front. His performance against a skilful and efficient Islanders’ frontline will be interesting to watch out for.

Bipin Singh (Mumbai City FC)

The livewire winger made an instant impact in the last game, setting up a goal for Greg Stewart, before scoring the winner in the second-half. Bipin has been one of the terrifically consistent performers for Mumbai City FC over the years. With 22 goals and 11 assists in his ISL career, the winger has emerged as one of the most prominent domestic stars lately.

In fact, he is one win away from becoming the fifth player to reach 50 wins with a single club in ISL history, in fact, Bipin (94 games for Mumbai City FC) can become the fastest player to reach the milestone if he earns his next win within his next six appearances for the Islanders, breaking Udanta Singh’s record (50th win in 101st game for Bengaluru FC). In Stewart’s absence, he will be hopeful of putting in an impressive outing in one of the most challenging away grounds in the competition.

Head-to-Head

Played – 19

Kerala Blasters FC – 4

Mumbai City FC – 9

Draws – 6

Trivia: With 58.9 passes per match, Mehtab Singh from Mumbai City FC has the most passes per game played for any Indian player in ISL 2023-24.

Team Talk

“I expect a good game against a good opponent. We like to compete and play these kinds of games, especially the players, they like these kinds of moments. Of course, as a sportsman, you expect a good game to see good things on the field. Players especially enjoy it because it’s Christmas Eve,” Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic mentioned in the pre-match press conference, adding that he is expecting his players to be highly motivated for this game.

“The result was fantastic, very important three points at home against a very tough opponent (Mohun Bagan Super Giant). It’s a boost for the group and we just need to keep going and connect that with our results in the next couple of games. I am very happy with the squad we have. The people who are coming in have a very good opportunity, and I am looking forward to seeing them play,” Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky said.

ISL Fantasy

Sachin Suresh (4.1cr)

Has helped Kerala Blasters FC keep three clean sheets this season

Dimitrios Diamantakos (8.3cr)

Averaging a goal every 116.8 minutes in ISL 2023-24

Jorge Pereyra Diaz (8.8cr)

Six goals in the current campaign of the competition

Where to Watch

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 SD & HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam) & DD Bangla (Bengali). In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.

Kolkata, 12 December 2023: East Bengal FC kept a fourth consecutive clean sheet as they played a goalless draw against Odisha FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 tonight. The Juggernauts held two-third of the possession, 67% to be precise, but fell short of giving shape to proper goal-scoring opportunities, as their eight shots were beaten by the 13 taken by the home side. East Bengal FC even hit three of them on target, as compared to the only one by Odisha FC.

For the visitors, the opportunity to get ahead in the game came early, in the ninth minute itself. Lalthathanga Khawlhring, fondly called as Puitea, spotted a disarranged East Bengal FC and played a pass for Isak Vanlalruatfela at the centre outside the 18-yard box. The 22-year-old fast burst through the home side’s defensive unit, but his shot failed to find the back of the net, though it did have the potential to set the tone for the rest of the game for the Juggernauts.

That was not to be though, as East Bengal FC and their skilful wingers and midfielders came to the fore gradually. Nandhakumar Sekar initiated one such move in the 27th minute, wide from the right flank. The winger, who had scored twice in this ground against NorthEast United FC earlier this month, broke inside the box as an onrushing Cleiton Silva awaited his delivery in the middle. However, Nandha took matters in his own hands, taking on the trio of Ahmed Jahouh, Carlos Delgado, and Mourtada Fall, before unleashing a powerful shot that was duly saved by Amrinder Singh.

The Odisha FC custodian was called up to action again in the 48th minute, with the duo of Borja Herrera and Jose Antonio Pardo coming together to enable the latter to test the goalkeeper from distance. Amrinder held his ground and thwarted the chance, thus sustaining chances for his team to sneak back into the proceedings. Cleiton Silva and his ambitious header from the edge of the box in the 82nd minute could have capitalised on Amrinder’s efforts. Naorem Mahesh Singh chipped in a perfectly weighted cross for the Brazilian, to help him find his sixth strike of the season. Unfortunately, Silva couldn’t direct the ball on target, of what could otherwise have been one of the contenders for the goal of the season.

Nevertheless, both these teams continue to be embroiled in the middle of the table right after this result, with Odisha FC in the fifth spot and East Bengal FC in the seventh place.

Key Performer of the Match

Hijazi Maher (East Bengal FC)

The 26-year-old defender was a lively presence at the back for the home side, playing 28 passes and completing 23 of them. He made seven clearances, made an interception, but also created two goal-scoring opportunities to round off a neat and convincing performance from the heart of the defensive unit.

What’s next for both teams?

Odisha FC will next square off against Punjab FC on December 26, whereas East Bengal FC have rounded off their first-half of the ISL 2023-24 campaign with this fixture. The result of the schedule will be announced in due time.

Brief Scores

East Bengal FC 0 – 0 Odisha FC 

Stat Pack:

Hyderabad, 21 December 2023: Jamshedpur FC snapped their winless streak with a thumping 5-0 victory against Hyderabad FC at the Gachibowli Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 tonight. Nigerian striker Daniel Chima Chukwu powered an impactful turnaround for the Red Miners, scoring his first-ever ISL hat-trick to inflict another loss on the Thangboi Singto-coached unit.

Jamshedpur FC head coach Scott Cooper had sounded a stern warning to his team after their 1-0 defeat in the previous game against Bengaluru FC. He questioned their desire, and had mentioned that some of the players should be concerned of their place in the club with the January transfer window coming up. The reaction was a trigger to extract a response from the players, who despite having some very creative players in their ranks, were falling short of positive results far too often.

Chukwu put his hand up and spearheaded this comeback for the visitors, nodding in a cross by Imran Khan from the left flank in the second minute of the game to get Jamshedpur FC an early lead. That set the tone for the game, livening up the Jamshedpur FC frontline with every forward covering each blade of the grass to run circles around the Hyderabad FC backline.

Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) graduate Mohammed Sanan steered in the middle of the box and shifted the ball to the right flank, before it was directed towards Jeremy Monzorro who firmly headed the ball into the box for Chukwu. The Nigerian brought out a fantastic, rather unforeseen trick off his books, pulling off an acrobatic overhead kick that hammered the ball on the top right corner. The nature of the goal, more than the strike itself, got Jamshedpur FC going to put in a relentless effort leaving no room of hope for Hyderabad FC to claw back in the proceedings.

However, their approach did slightly cool up after the half-time break, and Cooper perhaps felt the need to reignite the spirits with some fresh legs in the attacking unit. Seiminlen Doungel replaced Sanan and the attacker made an immediate impact, aiming for the back of the net from outside of the box and successfully rounding off the endeavour by adding the third goal in their tally in the 70th minute.

It was Chukwu’s night of reckoning though, as the forward capped off the match by bringing up his hat-trick in the 79th minute. This one was a fairly straightforward effort, as Chukwu pounced upon an arguably listless Hyderabad FC backline and converted an opportunity set up for him by Nikhil Barla. That was preceded by Jonathan Moya scoring an own goal from a corner that Jamshedpur FC had earned moments after Doungel’s goal, as the Red Miners brought curtains down on a five-star performance to bag their second victory of the season.

Key Performer of the Match

Daniel Chima Chukwu (Jamshedpur FC)

Daniel Chima Chukwu has possibly given Jamshedpur FC the spark and impetus that they needed to add flavour to an uninspiring campaign thus far. He scored thrice, made three clearances, tackled once, and created a solitary goal-scoring opportunity to bring up possibly the finest performance of his ISL career so far.

What’s next for both teams?

Jamshedpur FC will next play Odisha FC on December 29, whereas Hyderabad FC’s run in the first half of this campaign has come to an end. The fixtures for the remaining ISL season has not been declared yet.

Brief Scores

Jamshedpur FC 5 (Daniel Chima Chukwu 2’ 20’ 79’, Seiminlen Doungel 70’, Jonathan Moya OG 74’) – 0 Hyderabad FC

Stat Pack:

Match Preview: East Bengal FC vs Odisha FC

Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
Date: December 22, 2023
Competition: Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24

Introduction

In a much-anticipated clash in the ISL, East Bengal FC is set to host Odisha FC at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium. East Bengal, buoyed by their recent unbeaten run, faces a formidable Odisha side that’s been on a roll with their last emphatic victory.

East Bengal FC: Seeking Momentum

East Bengal, currently flirting with the top-six in the ISL standings, seeks to consolidate its position. The team, under Carles Cuadrat’s guidance, has shown remarkable improvement, especially in the attacking front. Players like Cleiton Silva, Naorem Mahesh Singh, and Nandhakumar Sekar have been pivotal in their forward thrusts, while midfielders like Borja Herrera and Saul Crespo have been instrumental with their assist-making capabilities.

However, their recent goalless draws indicate a need to rediscover their scoring prowess, especially against a team like Odisha FC, known for its solid defensive setup.

Odisha FC: A Blend of Experience and Form

Odisha FC, led by Sergio Lobera, comes off a convincing win against Hyderabad FC, showcasing their tactical acumen and squad depth. With a balanced mix of experienced players like Roy Krishna, Mourtada Fall, and young talents like Amey Ranawade and Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Odisha FC has been formidable both in the ISL and AFC Cup.

Their current form, highlighted by an eight-game unbeaten streak, makes them a daunting opponent for any team in the league.

Key Players and Matchups

• Hijazi Maher (East Bengal FC): A crucial player in defense, Maher’s ability to initiate attacks from the back and his defensive acumen will be key against Odisha’s potent attack.
• Lalthathanga Khawlhring (Odisha FC): Known as Puitea, his role as a midfield connector and his ability to create opportunities will be vital for Odisha’s game plan.

East Bengal will have to exploit their home advantage and find ways to breach Odisha’s defense led by Mourtada Fall and Carlos Delgado. Odisha, on the other hand, will rely on their structured play and the efficiency of their forwards.

Coaches’ Corner

• Carles Cuadrat (East Bengal FC): Emphasizes the importance of defending well, especially against Odisha’s set-pieces.
• Sergio Lobera (Odisha FC): Confident in his team’s current form and the positive memories they have had in the stadium.

Historical Context

• Matches Played: 6
• Odisha FC Wins: 5
• East Bengal FC Wins: 1
• Draws: 0
• Trivia: Mourtada Fall is the highest goal-scoring defender in ISL history.

ISL Fantasy Picks

• Amey Ranawade (Odisha FC)
• Mourtada Fall (Odisha FC)
• Cleiton Silva (East Bengal FC)

Where to Watch

The match will be available in multiple languages across various channels, including Sports18 Khel, Sports18 1 SD & HD, and on streaming

Mumbai City FC secured a 2-1 victory over the Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG) to end their unbeaten streak in this league in a feisty clash between the two Indian Super League (ISL) heavyweights at the Mumbai Football Arena on Wednesday. In a match that saw five sending offs, an equaliser by Greg Stewart in the 44th minute coupled with the winner by Bipin Singh in the 73rd minute ensured that the Islanders got past the Mariners to neutralise the opening strike by their Australian striker Jason Cummings.

This fixture always promised an entertaining, end-to-end encounter, and Juan Ferrando and his men began the game on the frontfoot, capitalising on Mumbai City FC fullback Akash Mishra being shown the red card due to a challenge on Manvir Singh in the 13th minute. The Mariners used this numerical advantage to their favour, with Liston Colaco sprinting ahead to receive a pass by Subhasish Bose on the left flank before squaring up an assist for Cummings, who comfortably slotted the ball into the back of the net by getting past Rostyn Griffiths in the 25th minute.

The home side got their act together though, and they benefited with livewire winger Bipin Singh operating in advanced positions on the left wing. Bipin, 28, who had scored a 90th minute winner for the Islanders in the ISL 2020-21 final against the same opponents, lobbed in an insanely impressive cross for Greg Stewart on the far post, who nodded the ball past Vishal Kaith to help Petr Kratky’s side head into the half-time break on level terms.

The Mariners wore a slightly disoriented look in the second essay of the game though, with Asish Rai first getting shown the red card for his foul on Jorge Pereyra Diaz in the 54th minute before a similar challenge by Bose and the subsequent reaction by the Colaco led to the visitors getting down to nine men.

This allowed Mumbai City FC forwards greater freedom, and Bipin began making the most of it by playing in various vacant spaces across the frontline. On one such occasion, he was in control of the ball on the right flank, and pulled off a fantastic shot from outside of his boot that took the deflection of Anirudh Thapa and ended up with the ball getting drilled into the back of the net in the 73rd minute. Mumbai City FC began holding the upper hand in the proceedings thereafter, with Stewart showing some fleet footwork inside the 18-yard-box, but was shown a second yellow card following a quick turn of events amidst a tight situation in the penalty area in the 88th minute.

The home side managed to keep the lead dear though, but they were dealt with another blow in the aftermath of the proceedings, with Vikram Pratap Singh becoming the third player from their side to get sent off from the game. Regardless, Kratky and his side took the game to the Mohun Bagan Super Giant despite losing Akash Mishra early on in the game, and they reaped the rewards for the same with the new head coach bagging his first ISL victory after three games.

Key Performer of the Match

Bipin Singh (Mumbai City FC)

Bipin was a menace for the Mohun Bagan Super Giant backline tonight, completing all but one of his 21 passes, recording an astounding 95% accuracy. He notched a goal and an assist each, made two clearances, as he capped off an all-round performance to seal a crucial win for his team.

What’s next for both teams?

Mumbai City FC will now travel to Kochi to take on Kerala Blasters FC on December 24, whereas the Mohun Bagan Super Giant will next host FC Goa on December 23.

Brief Scores

Mumbai City FC 2 (Greg Stewart 44’, Bipin Singh 73’) – 1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant (Jason Cummings 25’)

Stat Pack:

Punjab FC ended a 10-match-long wait for their maiden Indian Super League (ISL) win by defeating Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi by 1-0 tonight.The ISL debutants had come touchingly close to crossing the finishing line numerous times in the past, but their moment of reckoning finally arrived on a chilly night in front of their home fans at the national capital. Staikos Vergetis has one man to thank for this feat, and that is his 26-year-old French attacking midfielder Madih Talal.
Talal was turbulent for the Marina Machans throughout the game, regularly breaking into their defence from different areas and taking shots at goalkeeper Debjit Majumder. However, Owen Coyle & Co. could have avoided this loss had Connor Shields converted a fairly straightforward opportunity presented to him via close range with a squared up pass by Jordan Murray in the 14th minute. The Scottish striker, goalless in Chennaiyin FC’s last six games, missed the target, and Talal made the visitors pay for it with a display of his creative genius throughout thereafter in the game.
At first, he cut into the box from the right flank and got behind the Chennaiyin FC backline to shoot straight at Majumder. Talal then tried to head the rebound into the net but Sarthak Golui made a crucial goal-line clearance. 16 minutes later, Punjab FC defender Suresh Meitei pushed ahead near the Chennaiyin FC box, displaying quick feet to keep the ball under control before making a pass to Talal at the centre of the 18-yard box. The Frenchman lobbed it slightly and pulled off an overhead strike from close distance, but the ball unfortunately deflected off the goal posts.
His efforts weren’t going to end up redundant though, as the Chennaiyin FC defence began keeping close tabs on the midfielder. That drew them away from other Punjab FC players, opening up yards of space for their frontline to make use of. Talal finally struck, and it was a move that oozed all class, in the 56th minute of the game.
He sprinted into the Chennaiyin FC box, again from the right flank, and pulled the plug on his shot with such fierce power that Majumder was beaten on the near post, bringing the entire stadium to its feet. Vergetis breathed a sigh of relief on the touchline, and his team, bolstered by the introduction of workhorses like Krishnananda Singh, Brandon Vanlalremdika, amongst others covered each blade of the grass until the final whistle blew to hold tight to their lead.
Key Performer of the MatchMadih Talal (Punjab FC)
Talal produced an exemplary performance, completing 76% of his 42 passes, tackling twice, creating three goal-scoring chances, earning seven fouls, making seven crosses, and intercepting once in addition to scoring the all-important winner that bagged Punjab FC their first-ever victory in the ISL.
What’s next for both teams?
Punjab FC will next host Odisha FC on December 26, whereas Chennaiyin FC will play Mumbai City FC on December 28.
Brief Scores
Punjab FC 1 (Madih Talal 56’) – 0 Chennaiyin FC

Stat Pack:

Bhubaneswar, 17 December, 2023: Odisha FC put in a clinical performance to beat Hyderabad FC by 3-0 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 tonight. Fijian striker Roy Krishna bagged a brace with goals in either halves, which included a strike by Senegalese defender Mourtada Fall in the middle to ensure the Juggernauts extended their unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions.

Krishna was a threat for the Hyderabad FC defence right from the beginning, taking shots from either foot though the opposition’s backline held their own to thwart those efforts early on. Sergio Lobera has gotten a host of his former stars along with him in Odisha FC, and the rewards of that reflect in the immediacy with which they have settled into the side.

Fullback Amey Ranawade is one of them, having been an integral part of Lobera’s title-winning unit in Mumbai City FC in 2020-21. Tonight, he chipped in with a cross for Krishna that the striker converted in the 35th minute. It was Ranawade’s second assist of the season, and the former Bengaluru FC striker ensured that he was efficient from close range to get the home side the opening goal of the night.

Odisha FC have been lethal from set-pieces lately too, with the presence of Fall helping them explore impressive opportunities inside the box. Five minutes after Krishna’s strike, Carlos Delgado laid up a pass through his head for his defending counterpart, and Fall was on mark by slotting the ball inside the back of the net to get his 21st goal of his ISL career.

The Juggernauts did not cede control over the encounter thereafter, ensuring that they held the upper hand in the proceedings from the centre. Krishna was equally involved in setting up opportunities for his teammates, one of which was squandered by Jerry Mawihmingthanga from the left side of the box in the 65th minute.

Jonathan Moya and Joe Knowles came close to reducing the deficit in the second half too, but the duo of Delgado and Fall were well-positioned to not let those chances emerge into definite chances for the visitors. Finally, Krishna capped off the game late into the second half, in the fifth minute of the added time, by bringing his left foot into the equation and shooting the ball past Gurmeet Singh from a fairly tight angle to bring curtains down to an incredibly professional and even flawless game for Lobera & Co.

Key Performer of the Match

Roy Krishna (Odisha FC)

Krishna scored twice, created two goal-scoring opportunities, and completed 22 of his 29 attempted passes, in addition to tackling and intercepting once to produce an all-round performance that helped Odisha FC to three points from this faceoff.

What’s next for both teams?

Odisha FC will next face East Bengal FC on December 22, whereas Hyderabad FC will play Jamshedpur FC on December 21.

Brief Scores

Odisha FC 3 (Roy Krishna 35’ 90+5’, Mourtada Fall 40’) – 0 Hyderabad FC

Stat Pack:

New Delhi, December 17: The tenth matchweek of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 is set to culminate with a highly anticipated clash between Chennaiyin FC and Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on December 18, Monday. Chennaiyin FC, fresh off a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Bengaluru FC, will be looking to capitalize on their newfound form and climb further up the league table.

Chennaiyin FC: Aiming for Consistency
Chennaiyin FC, colloquially known as the Marina Machans, has shown glimpses of brilliance this season, particularly in their recent victory, which was marked by two well-executed penalties from Rafael Crivellaro and Jordan Murray. The clean sheet in their last game was a notable improvement for a side that had been conceding an average of two goals per game in their initial nine matches. Under the guidance of head coach Owen Coyle, a figure familiar with the demands of creating a championship side, Chennaiyin FC has shown potential in their attacking prowess, with Crivellaro, Murray, and Connor Shields leading the charge.

Punjab FC: In Search of a Breakthrough
On the other side, Punjab FC, coached by Staikos Vergetis, is still in pursuit of their first ISL victory. Despite a promising performance against Kerala Blasters FC, they fell short, hinting at the need for a more cohesive strategy and better game management. Vergetis, who has previously led the team to promotion to the top tier, faces the challenge of refining his team’s defensive resilience and enhancing their attacking capabilities.

What’s at Stake for Both Teams
Chennaiyin FC has a chance to build momentum and secure a stronger position in the top six, capitalizing on their recent away game successes. For Punjab FC, the stakes are high as they aim to rectify their mistakes from their previous heavy loss to Chennaiyin FC and seek their elusive first ISL win.

Key Players to Watch

• Krishnananda Singh (Punjab FC): Despite modest statistics, Singh has been a dynamic presence in Punjab FC’s attack, demonstrating potential as a game-changer.
• Rafael Crivellaro (Chennaiyin FC): With impressive goal contributions this season, Crivellaro will be crucial in creating and converting chances for his team.

Head-to-Head Record and Trivia

• The teams have faced each other once before, with Chennaiyin FC emerging victorious.
• Chennaiyin FC holds the record for the most fouls conceded this season (145).

Team Perspectives
Both coaches, Vergetis and Coyle, have emphasized adaptability and the irrelevance of past results in preparation for this crucial match.

ISL Fantasy Picks

• Rafael Crivellaro, Jordan Murray, and Juan Mera are among the top picks for fantasy league players.

Where to Watch
The match will be broadcast in multiple languages across various channels, including Sports18 Khel, Sports18 1 SD & HD, Sports18 3 SD, VH1 SD & HD, Surya Movies, and DD Bangla. Fans can also stream the match live and catch highlights through the OneFootball partnership.

Bengaluru FC started life under new head coach Gerard Zaragoza on a positive note by defeating Jamshedpur FC by 1-0 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium to kick off the Saturday double header of the tenth matchweek of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24.

It was a cagey affair from the beginning, with Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper TP Rehenesh starring with some important stops to keep the scoreline level. Rehenesh has been a notch above the other players from the Red Miners this season as the team’s struggles compound with one unfortunate result after another.

For Bengaluru FC, it was down to their experienced outfield duo of Sunil Chhetri and Javi Hernandez to get them out of the rut that they found themselves in. Chhetri stepped up to take a free kick in the 37th minute from nearly 30 yards out, and he shot it admirably well only for a full-stretched Rehenesh to dive and palm it away from goal.

Hernandez, on the other hand, floated across the frontline discovering gaps in the Jamshedpur FC backline that they could pounce upon. On one such opportunity, a minute before the half-time break, he steered the ball on the right flank and played a lateral pass to Slavko Damjanović who was a few yards away from Rehenesh.

A heavy touch from Damjanović meant that the ball met the hand of Jamshedpur FC defender Elsinho, leading to a spot-kick for the home side.

Interestingly, it was Hernandez and not Sunil Chhetri who stepped up to assume duties from 12 yards away. Bengaluru FC had won only one game in the season before this, which was on October 4 against East Bengal FC. Hernandez was the difference between the two sides back then too, pulling off a fantastic overhead kick to hand them a 71st winner. Likewise, he hammered the ball into the bottom right corner to help the Blues get a foot ahead in the game.

Jamshedpur FC were desperate in their quest for a response, and they naturally looked up to their midfielder Jeremy Monzorro to produce something noteworthy in the final third. Monzorro was averaging 10.4 entries in the penalty box per game prior to this match in the current season, suggesting that he is someone who constantly finds a way past the opposition’s backline. Tonight, he tried to unleash another trick out of his armoury, attempting to lob the ball over Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, only for it to deflect off hitting the outside of the upper net in the 65th minute.

Zaragoza replaced Chhetri and Hernandez with the fresh legs of Monirul Molla and Harsh Patre in the second half, and the young duo worked their socks off to ensure that the lead didn’t desert them until the end of the match.

Key Performer of the Match

Javi Hernandez (Bengaluru FC)

Hernandez created a goal-scoring opportunity, made a clearance, in addition to maintaining a 76% passing accuracy and scoring his second goal of the season to hand the Blues their second win of the campaign.

What’s next for both teams?

Bengaluru FC will next host NorthEast United FC on December 24, whereas Jamshedpur FC will travel to face Hyderabad FC on December 21.

Brief Scores

Bengaluru FC 1 (Javi Hernandez 44’) – 0 Jamshedpur FC

Stat Pack:

Bhubaneswar, December 16, 2023 – Odisha FC is set to resume their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign as they host Hyderabad FC at Kalinga Stadium on December 17. After securing a spot in the AFC Cup knockouts with a 1-0 victory over Basundhara Kings FC, Sergio Lobera’s side looks to extend their unbeaten streak in the ISL, which currently features a balanced record of two draws and two wins in their last four outings.

Under Lobera, Odisha FC has gradually found its rhythm, showcasing a distinct style synonymous with the Spaniard’s coaching philosophy. Despite a minor setback in their last match at Mohun Bagan Super Giant, where a lead was relinquished due to a brace from Armando Sadiku, Odisha FC remains focused on climbing the ISL standings.

Currently six points behind league leaders FC Goa, Odisha FC aims to narrow this gap. Past successes of Lobera, including a Super Cup win with FC Goa and a domestic double with Mumbai City FC, set high expectations. However, with Odisha FC placed fifth after eight games, the team must avoid any further slip-ups to remain contenders for the title.

Their defense, usually solid under Lobera’s guidance, has shown vulnerability in the second half of games this season, suggesting a need for tactical adjustments.

On the other side, Hyderabad FC is still in pursuit of their first win of the season. Following a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC and previous losses to Kerala Blasters FC and the Mariners, Hyderabad FC faces a challenging task against the in-form Odisha FC. Thangboi Singto, the head coach, must harness his team’s potential and exploit Odisha FC’s weaknesses, particularly in the latter stages of the match.

Key players like Amey Ranawade for Odisha FC and Mohammad Yasir for Hyderabad FC will be crucial in determining the outcome of this encounter. Ranawade has been a consistent performer, while Yasir’s creative prowess could be pivotal for Hyderabad FC’s offensive efforts.

With a significant portion of the season still ahead, this match could be a turning point for both teams. Odisha FC aims to solidify their title challenge, while Hyderabad FC seeks to kickstart a comeback journey.

Guwahati, 15th December: Mohun Bagan Super Giant put three past NorthEast United FC to come from behind and defeat the Highlanders by 3-1 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 tonight.

Regardless of the results, a standout factor in NorthEast United FC performances this season has been their desire to make a difference on the field.ISL:

The willingness to put their bodies on the line and optimise half-chances is a result of the renewed spirit they have rediscovered under Juan Pedro Benali.

Jithin M.S. gave a testament to that in the fourth minute, scrapping through a tight situation to lay a headed pass in the path of Phalguni Singh. Phalguni bravely went for the shot from outside of the box, curling the ball into the top right corner to get the local crowd going straightaway.

The Mariners were not going to take this lying down though. They hit back through the flanks, stretching the backline of the Highlanders and carving out spaces down the centre for strikers Armando Sadiku and Jason Cummings to pounce upon.

One such run by Liston Colaco earned them a free-kick on the left flank, and midfield enforcer Deepak Tangri was well positioned to meet the delivery and nod it home to bag the equaliser in the 13th minute.

It was all Mohun Bagan Super Giant from that point onwards, with everyone from the back to front chipping in and taking shots at the NorthEast United FC defence. Kiyan Nassiri and Anirudh Thapa joined hands for the former to shoot from distance, whereas Asish Rai, who bagged his maiden ISL goal earlier this season against former club Hyderabad FC, tried his luck from the right flank too.

Eventually, on a day of many aerial duels, Sadiku jumped leapt and brought down the ball for Cummings to shoot at in the 44th minute. The Australian, who represented the nation in the FIFA World Cup last year, tapped the ball in from close range to get the visitors ahead in the 29th minute of the game.

The Highlanders never really recovered from  that goal, as the attacking riches of the Mohun Bagan Super Giant came through with the likes of Colaco, Hugo Boumous, and Manvir Singh running circles around the opposition’s box. Boumous and Manvir were introduced in the proceedings in the 61st minute, and that played a big role in helping the visitors sustain control over the proceedings.

It culminated with defender Subhasish Bose joining the goal-scoring fest, jumping upon a lay up by Colaco to drill the ball into the bottom right corner from the left side of the 18-yard box. The comfortable two-goal lead did not stop the Mariners from searching for more goals, as precision and direction deserted the Highlanders after the wonder strike by Phalguni in the fourth minute.

 

Key Performer of the Match

Deepak Tangri (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

The midfielder put in a laudable defensive shift, making two clearances and interceptions each, in addition to tackling once and netting the opening goal of the night for the Mohun Bagan Super Giant. He recorded a 94% passing accuracy and delivered a workhorse like performance from the middle of the park.

 

What’s next for both teams?

Mohun Bagan Super Giant will next square off against Mumbai City FC away from home on December 20, whereas NorthEast United FC will travel to take on Bengaluru FC on December 24.

Brief Scores

NorthEast United FC 1 (Phalguni Singh 4’) – 3 Mohun Bagan Super Giant (Deepak Tangri 14’, Jason Cummings 28’, Subhasish Bose 71’)

Stat Pack:

Bengaluru, 15 December 2023 – As the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season progresses, Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC are set to face off in what promises to be a riveting encounter at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on December 16, Saturday. This match marks a new era for Bengaluru FC, with Gerard Zaragoza stepping in as the head coach, returning to a club where he previously contributed to a title-winning campaign.

Bengaluru FC’s Struggle and Hope for Revival:
Bengaluru FC, with just one win in 10 games, is facing a tough season. The team started strong but lost momentum, particularly after the international break. A heavy 4-0 defeat to Mumbai City FC led to a change in management, bringing in Zaragoza for a much-needed revival. The team has shown promise at home, but they need to address their slow starts, having conceded 11 first-half goals this season. A win against Jamshedpur FC could be a turning point, potentially setting a new record for the most consecutive games without defeat against a single club in ISL.

Jamshedpur FC’s Quest for Identity and Success:
Jamshedpur FC, under the guidance of Scott Cooper, is in search of consistent form and identity. Having lost five out of their first nine games, they are desperate for a series of wins to salvage their season. Despite their individual talents, the team has struggled to find collective success. They face the challenge of improving their attack, creativity in midfield, and overall performance levels. A victory against Bengaluru FC could serve as a catalyst for a much-needed resurgence.

Key Players to Watch:

– Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC): The experienced forward, with three goals and two assists this season, is crucial for lifting the team’s morale and performance.

– Daniel Chima Chukwu (Jamshedpur FC):The Nigerian striker’s presence in the box and goal-scoring abilities will be vital for Jamshedpur FC’s offensive strategy.

Head-to-Head Record:
In their 12 encounters, Bengaluru FC has won five times, Jamshedpur FC four, with three matches ending in draws. Jamshedpur FC’s forward play has been notable, with a high percentage of forward passes, suggesting an attacking approach.

Team Talk:
Gerard Zaragoza expressed his joy and commitment to bringing Bengaluru FC back to its peak. Scott Cooper emphasized Jamshedpur FC’s philosophy of proactive, pressing football, despite the challenges faced by his young team.

ISL Fantasy Picks:
– Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC) – 7.8cr
– Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC) – 4.5cr
– PC Laldinpuia (Jamshedpur FC) – 3.6cr

Where to Watch:
The match will be available in multiple languages across various channels and platforms, including Sports18 Khel, Sports18 1 SD & HD, and through FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball.

 

New Delhi, 14 December 2023: Kerala Blasters FC sneaked past Punjab FC by a slight margin of 1-0 to secure an important victory at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 tonight.

Kerala Blasters FC kept their first clean sheet in 10 away encounters as a neat defensive performance coupled with conversion of a spot-kick in the 51st minute handed the Kerala Blasters FC three points after a draw and a loss respectively in their last two games.

Punjab FC were on the move right from the offset. The Blasters appeared to have kept a conservative approach in the beginning, as they adjusted to a brief phase of the season in the absence of skipper Adrian Luna.

This resulted in the home team being brave in taking their chances, with Madih Talal, Krishnananda Singh, and Nikhil Prabhu coming close to break the deadlock in the first half. One of these moves was that when Prabhu and Talal interlinked, thanks to a cross by the latter that the defender squandered despite taking the shot from the middle of the 18-yard box.

Mohammed Aimen was the standout performer from the Punjab FC midfield tonight. Just before the half-time break, he had joined hands with Kwame Peprah by setting up a pass in the path of the striker that the 22-year-old shot off target.

Aimen though worked his way inside the box in the 50th minute to earn a foul though, that led to Dimitrios Diamantakos converting the subsequent spot-kick. With Luna injured out, Diamantakos had the onus to make this chance count. The Greek forward didn’t disappoint, slotting the ball in the middle of the net.

Punjab FC had a glimmer of hope with former NorthEast United FC forward Wilmar Jordan Gil coming off the bench to take a promising shot inside the box. The effort was well dealt with by an organised backline of the visitors, as the Tuskers sealed an important win.

Key Performer of the Match

Dimitrios Diamantakos (Kerala Blasters FC)

Diamantakos completed 20 passes, tackled twice, made one clearance, created a goal-scoring chance in addition to converting the important penalty to bag the three points for the Kerala Blasters FC.

What’s next for both teams?

Punjab FC will next host Chennaiyin FC on December 18, whereas Kerala Blasters FC will welcome Mumbai City FC for their coming clash on December 24.

Brief Scores

Punjab FC 0 – 1 Kerala Blasters FC (Dimitrios Diamantakos 51’)

Guwahati, 14th December 2023: In an enthralling Indian Super League (ISL) match, Mohun Bagan Super Giant clinched a crucial victory over NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Friday, 15th December. The win helped the Mariners regain their winning momentum after a 2-2 draw against Odisha FC and a 1-0 loss to Maziya S&RC in their previous fixtures.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant entered the game dealing with several injury concerns but demonstrated resilience and tactical acumen under coach Juan Ferrando. The team had set two major objectives for the season: topping the ISL league table and performing well in the AFC Cup. While their AFC Cup campaign ended prematurely, they have shown remarkable form in the domestic league, starting with five consecutive wins, a record in ISL history.

Facing a challenging opponent in NorthEast United FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant had to navigate through the Highlanders’ tough defense. NorthEast United, two points behind sixth-placed Chennaiyin FC, were looking to arrest their recent slump in form and revitalize their season under coach Juan Pedro Benali.

NorthEast United FC’s past encounters with Mohun Bagan Super Giant have been goal-laden, and they hoped to leverage their home advantage and fan support to create an upset. Their previous campaign’s sole victory against Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the same venue was a source of inspiration.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s comeback against Odisha FC in their last match, where Armando Sadiku scored twice, was a confidence booster. Despite injury concerns, the depth and quality of their squad were expected to play a crucial role in this high-stakes encounter.

Key players for both teams included Gani Nigam for NorthEast United FC, known for his balanced approach in midfield, and Dimitrios Petratos for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, a consistent goal threat and creative force in the attack.

The match promised to be a tactical battle, with both teams vying for crucial points in a tightly contested league. For the Highlanders, the challenge was to overcome a formidable Mohun Bagan Super Giant side, while the Mariners aimed to solidify their position at the top of the table.

Fans could catch the action in various languages across multiple channels and streaming platforms, reflecting the growing popularity and reach of the Indian Super League.

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 SD & HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam) & DD Bangla (Bengali). In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.