ISL Semi-finals - Race for Golden Boot - 5 topscorers this season

The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) is just about to get a year older as only five matches remain until we find out the champion of the fifth season. From its beginning in 2014, the league has been a huge boost to the football in the country.

Apart from discovering local talents, ISL has cultivated a football-culture throughout the country, leading to better professionalism. With each season passing by, the IMG-Reliance co-founded campaign has gotten more interesting with goals, action and exciting football.

This season saw 227 goals scored during the league stage, at an average of 2.67 goals per match. Although it is a fall from 261 goals in the previous season, the action has never really declined.

As we wind up yet another season, we take a look at the Top 5 goalscorers of the season, who are in the race for the golden boot. Interestingly, all the 5 players will be appearing in the playoffs, where they will get more chances to increase their tally.

#5 Edu Bedia (FC Goa) - 7 goals

Edu Bedia finds a place amongst the top five scorers with his seven goals from the 17 matches. The Spaniard has been the backbone of FC Goa's attack right from the start of the season. Bedia, also has four assists from playing a very crucial part in the Gaurs excellent run in the season.

The 29-year old has surprised most followers of the league with the rapid improvement in his game this season. Bedia, who was mostly responsible for defensive duties last season has made an effective shift to the attacking side of the game. The same player who had only one goal and two assists last season, made goal-scoring look easy this time around.

The midfielder, who will play an important position for his team in the semi-finals, will also be a back-up option when goals are needed. Bedia will also be assigned the duty of creating chances with defence-splitting passes for the forward line. With an average of 62 passes per game and 36 tackles, the Spanish has had a season to remember in India.

#4 Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC) - 8 goals

Finding Sunil Chhetri at the fourth position should make any Indian fan delighted, as he is the only Indian player in the Top 5. However, the number of goals he has scored os not exactly impressive considering Chhetri's antecedents.

Sunil Chhetri has proudly led his team into the semi-finals by topping the table and being the top scorer of the team with eight goals. His has also contributed two assists. But, the West Block Blues might have been expecting more from him, considering he scored 14 goals in the previous season. In the 2015 edition, while playing for Mumbai City FC, Chhetri had a similar number; seven goals but from 11 games.

Despite all these, the 34-year old would only be aiming at taking home the ISL Cup for the first time. With a total of 29 ISL goals across four seasons, that number is expected to rise starting from the crucial semi-final fixtures against NorthEast United FC.

#3 Bartholomew Ogbeche (NorthEast United) - 12 goals

Having Bartholomew Ogbeche anywhere in this list, is surely enough to delight every NorthEast United fan. The Highlanders' season top scorer before this season was Emiliano Alfaro who scored a paltry five goals from 13 games in the 2016 season.

Clinical strikers had always been an issue that this club has faced in the ISL; which was now been addressed by the coming of Ogbeche. The striker has justified his signing, in this his first season, by scoring 12 goals and having one assist from 17 games.

Playing upfront for NorthEast regularly, Ogbeche is usually hard to stop for defences when he is having a good day.

The forward left his mark with his hat-trick against Chennaiyin FC in October. With adequate support from Rowllin Borges and Federico Gallego, Ogbeche has been the vital player for NorthEast on the road to their first final.

#2 Modou Sougou (Mumbai City) - 12 goals

Even though he is not the top scorer, Modou Sougou has been the most clever striker in the ISL this season. Even though he can be caught offside a few times, Sogou had done well to convert his half-chances into goals for Mumbai City FC. With his 12 goals, the Senegalese striker has been the pillar on which the Islanders' attacks revolve around.

Mumbai City FC head coach, Jorge Costa began the season for Mumbai with plans to take the side to the finals. If the club achieves this goal, it will be because of Modou Sougou.

The 34-year old has really left his mark during his first season in India. When Mumbai City hosted Kerala Blasters and ATK this season, Sougou scored hat-tricks against both. Against Blasters, he also set a record of scoring four goals in a single match in ISL.

#1 Ferran Corominas (FC Goa) - 15 goals

Ferran Corominas tops the goal-scorers list for a second consecutive time. The Spaniard currently has 15 goals from 17 games and seven assists. Unlike most other goal-scoring forwards, Coro is also able to create chances for his teammates.

Out of the 36 goals scored by Sergio Lobera's team, Coro has played his part in boosting the attack. The 36-year old has led the attack well, linking up with players like Jackichand Singh and Edu Bedia from the midfield.

In just 33 appearances, Ferran Coro has scored 33 goals - making him ISL's all-time top scorer. In just two seasons, the striker has left his mark in the league and is expected to return for the next campaign.

The former Mallorca player has two games (before the final) to extend his three goal lead in the Golden Boot race and win the award for a second consecutive time.

Edited by Tobi Amoo