Gameweek 11 of the Hero Indian Super League finished with surprising results in every game. Starting with Jamshedpur FC finally getting the win they have been waiting for after a stoppage-time winner by Ishan Pandita which brought all three points for The Men of Steel in a hard-fought 3-2 victory over NorthEast United. The second match between SC East Bengal and Mumbai City FC ended in a stalemate. Due to a rise in COVID cases in India, the match between ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC was postponed. FC Goa picked up their first victory in five games, thanks to a Jorge Ortiz goal which separated FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC. Lastly, Kerala Blasters continue their dream run as they beat Hyderabad FC 1-0 to stay at the top of the table.
Here are a few key highlights to wrap up game week 11 of the Hero Indian Super League:
▶ KBFC continue their unbeaten run
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It feels like Kerala Blasters FC have forgotten what a defeat feels like with the team extending their unbeaten run to nine games after their 1-0 victory against Hyderabad FC. The last time Vukomanovic’s men lost was in the first game of the season where they lost to ATK Mohun Bagan and since then the team has picked up five draws and 4 victories to take them to the top of the league. After 10 matches, The Yellow Army has only conceded 10 goals which is the joint best in the league. The defensive partnership between Hormipam R and Marko Leskovic seems indestructible and it looks like KBFC can go all the way if they keep playing like this.
▶ A Dream Debut for Anwar Ali
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Making his debut in India’s top division in game week 11 was 21-year-old Indian defender Anwar Ali, and it was a dream debut for the young man. Ali was a part of a three-man defense playing as an RCB in FC Goa’s match against Chennaiyin FC. In the 90 minutes he played, Ali proved to be a great passer of the ball with a passing success rate of 81%. Defensively, he won a total of four duels out of seven and never lost the ball once. Lastly, Ali made experienced attackers like Valskis and Murzaev look like they are new to the game with his brilliant defensive performance.
▶ The race for the top 4 intensifies
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After 11 game weeks, there are only five points separating the table-toppers Kerala Blasters FC and FC Goa. Currently, it looks like KBFC and Mumbai City are going to be the first two teams to qualify for the play-off rounds but one can’t predict what’s going to happen in the ISL. Hyderabad FC fins themselves in the third position tied on points with #4 Jamshedpur FC who are chased down by teams like ATK Mohun Bagan, Chennaiyin FC, Bengaluru FC, and Odisha FC who have 15,15,13 and 14 points respectively. After a victory against Chennaiyin FC, FC Goa are back in the race for the top four. NorthEast United and SC East Bengal sit at the bottom end of the table with 8 and 6 points respectively which makes it difficult for them to qualify but, it’s the ISL, you never know what’s going to happen!
▶ What’s going wrong with the Islanders?
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After staying at the top of the Hero Indian Super League for nine-game weeks, the Islanders dropped down to second in GW10. In GW11, the defending champions dropped points again after drawing 0-0 against last-placed SC East Bengal. Looking at them you’d wonder what’s been their problem? And seeing the scorelines will help you understand why. In the last four matches, Des Buckingham’s men have conceded a total of ten goals while scoring just five goals. The team is struggling to create more chances and has been making defensive errors which have cost them their top spot.
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What could be their solution? Mumbai City announced the on-loan signing of Odisha FC midfielder Vinit Rai who could play alongside Ahmed Jahouh and help the team create more chances. Not only that, the 24-year-old midfielder is great when it comes to helping the team at the back which is exactly what the Islanders need.
[Featured Image Credit: ISL – Indian Super League]
Shashank Iyer