ISL 2018-19: Top 5 goals from round 1 and 2

The fifth edition of the Indian Super League is underway and we have already witnessed a few breathtaking matches in the early stages. With five teams locked at the same points, it sets up the perfect mood for the next round of the matches.

We have also been rewarded with quality goals from the footballers. While the foreigners are proving themselves and justifying the reason for hiring them with handsome amounts, the Indians are also not behind. Some of the youngsters have taken the ongoing season by storm.

Let us have a look at the top 5 goals in the opening two rounds of the Indian Super League:

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#5 Miku (Bengaluru FC) vs Chennaiyin FC

The Venezuelan striker made his entry into the Indian Super League last year, and guess what? He was an instant success. Having scored 15 goals in the season, he even netted the last goal of the season but unfortunately, it was too late as Chennaiyin FC won the final match 3-2 to clinch their second title.

Xisco Fernandez's through ball in the 41st minute fell perfectly for Miku up front. Although he had only the keeper to beat, it was difficult to score. The South American produced a powerful kick which went into the net like a rocket and gave Bengaluru FC the winner in their opening match of this year's Indian Super League.

#4 Slaviša Stojanović (Kerala Blasters FC) vs ATK

Stojanovic shoots during the match against ATK (Image: ISL)

A 41,000 strong crowd gathered at the Salt Lake Stadium in the opening night of the Indian Super League during the match between ATK and Kerala Blasters FC. It was a perfect setting for a cracker of a match. Although it was a pretty ordinary contest, the visitors took a lead in the 77th minute of the match. But there was more to come.

Serbian forward Slavisa Stojanovic sealed the deal for Kerala Blasters FC with a sublime finish following a half turn and cleverly edging past ATK's defender Gerson Vieira. The majority of the spectators present were silenced, while the away fans were overjoyed in the stands as their favourite team opened the campaign with a win.

#3 Ferran Corominas (FC Goa) vs NorthEast United FC

Corominas celebrates after scoring the first goal [Image: ISL]

The highest goalscorer in the last edition of the Indian Super League just started from where he left season; the Spanish goal machine scored a brace in the opening match of FC Goa's opening match against NorthEast United FC to snatch away a vital away point from the Highlanders. Popularly known as 'Coro', the striker laterally ran across three defenders to finally slot the ball inside the target to give them the lead in the 39th minute.

After playing his trade for LaLiga side Espanyol for 13 years, 'Coro' moved to Osasuna, and subsequently played for Girona, Elche, Mallorca and Cypriot side Doxa before boarding the flight to India last year. He has been a vital member of the FC Goa squad and guided the team to the knock stages last year, hopefully, he continues his good form this year too!

#2 Nishu Kumar (Bengaluru FC) vs Jamshedpur FC

Bengaluru players celebrate Nishu Kumar's (second from left) goal

The footballer from Uttar Pradesh came up the ranks with the Chandigarh Football Academy and got a big break when he was selected for the AIFF Elite Academy, eventually making a cut to the India national U-20 football team at the 16 AFC U-19 Championship qualification. Having roped in by Bengaluru FC in 2015, the side back made his debut for Bengaluru FC in 2016 during their AFC Cup tie against Ayeyawady United FC.

Just at the stroke of half-time, Nishu produced a beautiful shot from the acute angle and placed it at the farthest corner of the target to outclass Jamshedpur FC goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury and take the lead. Eventually, the energetic match ended in a 2-2 draw! Sunil Chhetri, Gaurav Mukhi and Sergio Cidoncha were the other goalscorers in the match.

#1 Rana Gharami (Delhi Dynamos FC) vs FC Pune City

Rana Gharami scored during his ISL debut against FC Pune City [Image: ISL]

Rana Gharami was mostly unused during his stay at Mohun Bagan in the I-League last year. But Delhi Dynamos FC made a smart move by roping in the energetic stopper from the Kolkata giants and giving him a break in the Indian Super League. Not only did he highly impress by his defensive duties at the back, but he also scored from stunner, 35 yards away from the target to give his team a lead in the opening match of this season against FC Pune City.

It was least expected of him to score a goal and the manner in which he scored. He became the first Indian to score in the ongoing season of the ISL. He was awarded as the "player of the match" in that game, but he couldn't guide his team to a win as the visitors found the equalizer in the closing minutes of the match to share the spoils.