With the finals to be played on the 18th November, the Hero Indian Super League is set to end on a great note. In a repeat to first season’s finals, Atletico de Kolkata face Kerala Blasters FC in a match which is set to be played in God’s own country, Kochi.
While cricketing idols Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar set to lock horns for the second time in three years, there has been no dearth of interesting and exciting games in the third season of the ISL. Delhi Dynamos FC has easily been the most entertaining team this season, scoring a total of 29 goals in 15 matches. Mumbai City FC, on the other hand, will be known as one of the finest sides to have played in the league in the three seasons of ISL.
Here, we take a look at the five most exciting games this season.
#1 FC Pune City 4 -3 Delhi Dynamos FC
The game took place on 18th November in the Belawadi Stadium, Pune. The game was a cracker, becoming one of the highest-scoring game in the league history. With Delhi Dynamos FC easily being the attacking pace-setters this season, Pune City took the game to the opposition, punched above their weight and registered a great win.
The game started on an equal note, with both sides sharing the spoils in the first quarter. Delhi took the lead at the end of first half, with Kean Lewis scoring in the 44th minute, completing a usual team move from the capital side. Pune went dejected into the dug-out at the half-hour whistle but came out all guns blazing.
In a spirited display, Pune City FC scored thrice in just eight minutes, taking the game away from the visitors. Eduardo Ferreira scored an own goal to give a sniff to Delhi, who started attacking extensively. The visiting fans were silenced by Lenny Rodrigues, who scored in the 90th minute to make it 4-2. Malsawnzuala’s injury time goal didn’t give much joy to the visitors, working more as a consolation.
This game would go down as one of the most entertaining in the history of the league, as it had opened the league table and helped in building the excitement for the final flourish in the league table.
#2 FC Goa 5 – 4 Chennaiyin FC
This game would have been top of the list if only it had any significance on the league. It did have a lot of significance for FC Goa fans though. The Gaurs had never defeated Chennaiyin FC at their home and on 01st December, had their third attempt to change the dubious record.
Playing for honour more than points, Zico played an attacking side which wanted to salvage some pride after a forgettable campaign. The team conceded their first goal as early as in the third minute, with left-back Jerry curling in a beautiful free-kick. The floodgates, though, were opened. Rafael Coelho didn’t wait much and equalised two minutes later, and the audience already guessed what was in store.
Anirudh Thapa got a touch in a melee in front of the Goa goal in the 12th minute, but Gregory Arnolin had the last touch to make it 2-1 in favour of Chennaiyin. With Jofre scoring from the penalty spot in the 20th minute and Dudu scoring in the 28th minute, the game was getting very interesting. The score-writers were not disturbed till the half-time, and both the teams went into the tunnel in an animated mode.
The second half began on a more cautious note, with both teams defending confidently. In the 68th minute, Sahil Tavora opened the scoring from a simple tap-in, after a lot of hard work from Rafael Coelho, and made it 3-3. Goa had done a lot of chasing in the game and went ahead in the 75th minute, Coelho getting his second for the night.
The night was long, and the fans knew it. John Arne Riise scored from a penalty in the 87th minute, and a 4-4 draw looked good enough for both sides.
Sahil Tavora, though, had other plans. The midfielder scored in the 94th minute, throwing the FC Goa fans into a frenzy. The inconsequential game turned out to be crazy and gave a treat to the audience.
#3 Delhi Dynamos 2 - 1 Kerala Blasters (0-3 pen.)
Probably the most important semifinal this season, this match was set to be one blockbuster and it turned out as expected. Delhi had played some amazing football throughout the tournament and the home fans were expecting the same in the Lions' den.
Trailing by a goal from the first leg scored by Kervens Belfort, Delhi had to win this fixture by a margin of at least one goal to even go into extra time. Starting with unbridled attacking intent, the Dynamos showed their ability, with Marcelinho scoring in the 18th minute. Much to the dismay of the home crowd, Duckens Nazon scored in the 26th minute and made it difficult for the Lions.
With lots of drama unfolding on the pitch, 8 minutes of additional time was given for the first half. Ruben Gonzalez Rocha, the Spanish centre-back, scored from a free kick from Marcos Tebar deep into the first half's injury time.
The second half saw some great attacking intent from both sides, which saw them making move after move. The coaches knew that just one goal would've done the trick, and tried all their tactical changes.
The game went into extra time, both teams trying to get that one elusive goal. At the end of the 30 extra minutes, the aggregate score read 2-2. The game went into penalties. It was baffling to see the highest scorer Marcelinho being substituted, but it was later revealed that he had an injury.
A World cup finalist, who has won the Champions league and numerous other titles in his club career as captain and two creative Brazilians who were known for their footballing art came to convert for the Lions. Malouda and Pelissari rocketed their shots into the crowd, while Memo's was blocked by an experienced Sandip Nandy. On the other hand, Josu Currais, Kervens Belfort and Mohammad Rafique converted for the visitors to send them to the finals.
The game will be remembered for its intensity, tempo and attacking vigour shown by both teams. If there's one team which deserved to be in the finals, it was Delhi Dynamos this season. Sadly, the entertainers were out and Steve Coppell's enterprisers were in.
#4 Mumbai City FC 5 - 0 Kerala Blasters
Kerala Blasters FC, except for the second season, are known to have watershed defences. The team, well led by a thinking Steve Coppell, had Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart and Sandesh Jhingan in their back-line. Regarded as one of the strongest ever back-lines in Indian football ever, it was the wizardry of one certain Uruguayan which broke it and delivered a free-flowing performance.
You don't win the Golden Ball at a FIFA World Cup like that. Diego Forlan has everything. At 37 years of age, one look at him and you know he's a true professional. The former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker was in the mood that night. And thus, Kerala had to suffer.
19th November at Mumbai, it was a night for audiences. For football lovers who wanted to see what class is, and the Uruguayan showed them just that. Scoring as early as in the 4th minute, Forlan had sent the message loud and clear. Two more goals in the 14th and 62nd minute and the game was over for the visitors. Sony Norde and Lucian Goain added to the agony, scoring the other two goals in the second half.
Till this match was played, both Mumbai and Kerala had only conceded 8 goals each, and Forlan's heroics set the banter higher for the home side. Kerala did make the finals eventually, but this defeat surely would've hurt them hard. Also, it gave Mumbai City FC a positive record: the only team to score a hat-trick in every edition of the ISL. Andre Moritz did it, Sunil Chhetri did it and the record was maintained by one of the finest attackers in modern football.
#5 Delhi Dynamos FC 3 - 3 Mumbai City FC
Thus wasn't the most consequential match in terms of the tournament, but such was the gameplay and fervour shown by both teams, that it had to make the top spot quite easily.
Delhi Dynamos were firing in the attacking third, while Mumbai City FC were nursing Diego Forlan's injury. The stage was set for a Delhi runaway, but that's what smart coaching does to a team - takes the game to the opposition.
And Alexander Guimaraes did just that. He instilled his side with confidence and this was the match when their transition actually started. The team played fearless football, with Matias Defederico firing from the left wing in a free role. The Argentine created all sorts of trouble for the home defence, creating and attacking at will.
It all began with Mumbai City FC scoring the first two in a five-minute session, with Krisztian Vadocz scoring in the 33rd and the 38th minute. For the first time in the league this season, Delhi Dynamos FC were on the back foot.
After the restart, Gianluca Zambrotta had given his team the much-needed impetus and freedom on the game. Haitian striker Richard Gadze opened the scoring in the 51st minute for the home side. While signs of a revival was on for the home team, Sony Norde scored another for the visitors in the 69th minute to get back the 2 goal lead cushion.
One inspired substitution is all that is needed to change the complexion of the game, and it came in the form of the lanky Badara Badji. The striker came on in the late second half, scored and won a penalty to be converted by the imperious Marcelinho.
The game was brilliant tactfully and both managers would be hoping of that one last flourish in the dying seconds, which evaded them. One of the most exciting games in ISL ever, this game surely created the benchmark for both the teams going into the league.
