ISL 2016: A look at the best home records

Atletico de Kolkata’s only home victory came against Delhi Dynamos

The 2016 edition of the Indian Super League has been underwhelming for many because the league suffered from a dearth of goals, especially in the initial stages of the tournament. But while some may see it as a lack of quality, others have been equally impressed with the sheer competition among the teams this season. Very little has separated one side from the next and it is painfully evident in the final standings of the table.

The season has been memorable for more than a few reasons, and with the final between Kerala Blasters and Atletico de Kolkata coming up this Sunday, we take a look at the teams who have performed well on their home grounds. Here are the sides ranked in order of their home record:

#8 Atletico de Kolkata

Considering the fact that Atletico de Kolkata find themselves in the final, it is a little shocking that they are last on the list of teams ranked according to their home record. To be more specific, ATK has won just one match in the league stage at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium – a record the Kolkata side will definitely not be proud of. They played a total of seven games at home, of which they drew five and lost just one.

However, ATK’s poor home record isn’t inexplicable since the side had to shift bases from the Salt Lake Stadium, their home ground in the previous two seasons to their new facilities in South Kolkata. Even the home crowd found it difficult to get behind their team as the limited resources of the new stadium is a far cry from the electric atmosphere of their original home.


#7 FC Goa

In a repeat of last year’s final FC Goa hosted Chennaiyin FC to beat them 5-4

FC Goa’s current ISL season is best forgotten for their poor performance and the general air of discontent that permeated the side after the debacle that took place during their final against Chennaiyin FC last year. Even though the Goan side finished last, their home record wasn’t quite as bad as ATK’s as they managed to win two of their games at the Fatorda Stadium.

It took the Gaurs some time to settle into the tournament this year and their home victories didn’t come until the end. They beat Northeast United before they inflicted a heavy injury time defeat on Chennaiyin which ended 5-4. However, they also lost four of their home matches at the start of the season and drew level in one.

#6 FC Pune City

Eduardo Ferreira scored the opener for Pune City against Atletico de Kolkata

FC Pune City failed to make any significant mark on the ISL yet again as they finished below the top four a third consecutive time. The Stallions had appointed former Atletico de Kolkata manager Antonio Habas to coach their side but clearly, it wasn’t enough. The Hrithik Roshan-owned team won just two of their seven home fixtures at the Balewadi Sports Complex which materialised only towards the latter half of the tournament.

They managed to record their first home victory against Habas’ former team, ATK and then went on to defeat Delhi Dynamos 4-3 in their final home game.


#5 Chennaiyin FC

Chennaiyin FC beat Pune by two goals to none in their home fixture

Defending champions Chennaiyin FC had a miserable campaign this time around finishing 7th in the table. However, their poor form comes as no surprise since they were missing their most important players from last season – Stiven Mendoza, Elano and Bruno Pelissari.

The Machans managed just two victories on their home ground, beating both Pune and Goa two goals to none. While they lost only one game at the Marina Arena, they drew level on four occasions against the visiting sides. In the midst of key players from last season’s campaign gone, manager Marco Materazzi’s constant team rotation could not have been helpful either.

#4 Mumbai City FC

Diego Forlan’s hat-trick against Kerala Blasters helped Mumbai City to a resounding victory

After Mumbai City’s first two seasons ended on a disappointing note, the team topped the table this year to qualify for the semi-final round. The side managed to record three home victories out of the seven fixtures that they played at the Mumbai Football Arena, drew two and lost two more.

After winning their first home game against NorthEast United, it took them a while before they won at home again. Their second was an emphatic 5-0 victory over finalists Kerala Blasters which they followed up with another victory against Chennaiyin.


#3 Delhi Dynamos

Delhi Dynamos scored the most goals in the third edition of the ISL

The Delhi Dynamos side was a pleasure to watch this season with its eclectic mix of experienced foreign professionals and young Indian football players. Despite the apparent apathy of Delhi’s home support, the side won three of their games at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Two out of those three victories came in spectacular fashion as they first beat Chennaiyin 4-1 and Goa 5-1. Manager Gianluca Zambrotta balanced his side well to reach the semi-final stage as they drew four of the remaining home fixtures, losing none.

#2 NorthEast United FC

Katsumi Yusa was one of the best performers for NorthEast United this season

The team from Guwahati had quite the rollercoaster ride in their home ground, the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, winning four and losing the remaining three with no room for such plebian outcomes as a draw.

NorthEast United kicked off to a flying start winning their first two home games and looked like they were serious contenders for a semi-final spot. However, their season went off the rails thereafter and the side couldn’t win any games at home until the very end when it was frankly too late to do much.


#1 Kerala Blasters

Kerala Blasters qualified for their second final in three years after beating Delhi Dynamos in a penalty shootout

It’s no surprise Kerala Blasters have made it to the finals this year. The team from the south was outstanding at home in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium winning five of their seven games in Kochi, more than any other side in the league.

After all, the Yellow Army must have felt compelled to do their best since the home support they received was unlike anything else seen in the ISL before. Their fans infused the stadium with a carnivalesque atmosphere that must have appeared daunting to every visiting side. The support of fans made all the difference to the Blasters whose performance was absolutely riveting at times.

Quick Links

Edited by Staff Editor