ISL Week 2 : Highlights

The first week of ISL 7 had seen some of the most exemplary performances from the teams of Hyderabad and NorthEast, while Goa, Kerala, and Bengaluru are testing the loyalty of their fans, by still being on the backseat after the second week. Let’s take a quick look on this week’s highlights:

1. Worrying signs for the Blues

Cuadrat’s men had to settle for another draw in their running ISL campaign. This time it turned out to be more brutal for the Bengaluru side, as they were not able to score a single goal against Hyderabad, who had to play with only 3 foreigners for around 60 min due to the injuries faced by Joel Chinese and Luis Sastre before the half-time. The men in blue started with a 3-4-3 formation and tried to create some play from the wings, but the promising intent showed by the two Indian youngsters from the opponent side, Akash Mishra and Ashish Rai, was enough to make Bengaluru rethink their plans. 

The main reasons to worry for the Bengaluru side were Udanta Singh and Ashique Kuruniyan, who haven’t made any significant contribution to their side since last season, along with, Dimas Delgado’s questionable fitness. The 2018 ISL winners will regroup again and will be looking forward to find their way back into the tournament in their upcoming match against Chennaiyin FC on 4 Dec 2020.

2. Desperate for a win: FC Goa

ISL 2019 League Shield Winners have started their new season with two draws and a loss from three matches. Ferrando’s side has been playing an impressive style of football but is struggling to find the back of the net. With 3 goals from 3 matches, FC Goa stands at seventh position in the league table. 

Redeem Tlang’s red card suspension, along with Brandon and Ishan’s questionable fitness has increased the panic on the Goan side, which was evident from the aggression with which they played against NEUFC. The pressure on Juan’s shoulder would be immense, as he is replacing Lobera this season, under whom Goa has clinched the Super Cup, ISL 2019 League Shield, and also made it to the playoffs every season. 

Will Goa make a comeback like Chennai in last season, or is it just the start of a

nightmare?

3. Welcome to ISL

SC East Bengal was welcomed to ISL with two consecutive defeats, coming from

arch-rivals ATKMohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC. Robbie Fowler’s side has conceded 5 goals in two matches, which have raised questions regarding the team’s defense. They are also failing to convert the chances in the box, which shows the immediate need for a lethal striker. 

Fans will be quite disappointed with the team’s performance so far, as they had high hopes from the team entering ISL this year after they finished at the second position in the 2019 I-League table.

4. Albino! Albino! Albino!

Kerala is yet to find their first win of the season, after their goalless draw against Chennaiyin FC, thanks to Albino’s penalty save. The men in yellow are missing out on the small link-up play between the players in the midfield. Most of Kerala’s’ winger are failing to deliver to the ball in the box, on the contrary, the ball control from the back has been quite exceptional.

But, we can definitely observe the minute improvisations in Kerala’s lineup and

gameplay, in each game. Sergio, Bakary, and Costa have been critical to the team’s

performance, while Kibu has to figure out something for the lack of efficient crosses from the wing before facing FC Goa who will be looking forward to defeat KBFC at any cost.

~Neeladri Chatterjee