ISL:
Matchweek 14 proved to be another display of Mumbai City FC’s unparalleled expertise and flair. Their 4-0 dominance of a team that was unbeaten in eight games and playing with a heavy press gameplan, was a signal that their unrelenting strategy could well be putting them in line as an unbeatable force.
Elsewhere, Odisha FC pushed ahead of FC Goa in a see-sawing battle for the last two playoff spots over the last few weeks. With FC Goa going down at home against defending champions Hyderabad FC, Odisha FC managed to sneak three points ahead with a win against East Bengal FC. Chennaiyin FC managed only a draw against Jamshedpur FC while Bengaluru FC’s double against NorthEast United FC didn’t change too much for them either, standings-wise.
Invincibles in Hero ISL? – Mumbai City’s goalfest halfway into the first-half surely suggests
The tie between Mumbai City FC and Kerala Blasters FC was touted as a blockbuster as the two in-form sides went against each other. However, by the time Kerala Blasters had any time to process what was happening at the Mumbai Football Arena, they had already shipped four goals in 22 minutes. Both sides have built their dominance on courageous attacking play so far, but that philosophy could not help Blasters from a 4-0 loss to Mumbai City.
It has also raised a point on whether any team in the league is going to beat Mumbai City FC. Hyderabad FC are the only side in the league who have conceded goals in the single-digits this season while also being the second-highest scoring team. Are we headed for the first ever instance of an Invincibles ISL team? They are already the fastest to 40 goals and not far away from the league’s scoring record – a favourable result in early February against Hyderabad FC could set them up for even more honours.
Ogbeche sends a reminder
A team that knows a thing or two about dominant goal-scoring seasons is Hyderabad FC who topped the league last season on goals scored. They might yet better it though as Bartholomew Ogbeche, a big reason behind their dominance last season, seems to be inching back towards his best. Hero ISL’s all-time top scorer bagged his fourth career hat-trick on Thursday, to go past Ian Hume and set a new record. His tally for the season now stands at six and could well move into double-digits if the performance against FC Goa was an indicator.
Mauricio hauls Odisha FC out of their lull, FC Goa playing catch-up again
Diego Mauricio’s adrenaline wasn’t letting him leave when he was subbed off while on a hat-trick against East Bengal FC, but he was smiling as widely as his head coach Josep Gombau by the time the final whistle was blown. Odisha FC were in the midst of a four-game winless streak, without scoring in three of those. This phase also affected their sensational home record, where they had been unbeaten until dropping points in two consecutive games.
What to look out for in Matchweek 15: FC Goa, Odisha FC keeping tabs on ATK Mohun Bagan
ATK Mohun Bagan’s return from a break will be marked by a game against Mumbai City FC first up. This will be a second blockbuster fixture involving Mumbai City FC, who will be on the road, and will have big consequences on the playoffs race. A loss for ATKMB could potentially pave the way for Odisha FC to break into the top four with a win against Bengaluru FC. Should both ATKMB and Odisha FC drop points, FC Goa could become an inconvenience for them again as they go in as favourites against NorthEast United FC.
