Matchweek 11 of the Indian Super League had only four games on card, but safe to say it duly delivered what was promised.
Bengaluru FC, after a disappointing defeat against ATK last month got back to winning ways with a convincing 2-1 over joint-leaders FC Goa at home. ATK, on the other hand, continued their domination with a 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC who were actually on a six-game unbeaten run. Kerala Balsters ran riot at home against a struggling Hyderabad FC, winning the game 5-1, while Odisha FC capped off the week with a 2-0 win over Chennaiyin FC to stay in the hunt.
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Four games, 13 goals and here are the best of it:
SUNIL CHHETRI
For: Bengaluru FC
Against: FC Goa
Bengaluru FC captain, Sunil Chhetri has been enjoying a fine form of late. After a rather meek start to the tournament, the striker got back to his usual best and it was his brace which guided The Blues to a 2-0 win over Goa at home.
A game which was rather dominated by the visitors saw Chhetri breaking the deadlock a minute before the hour’s mark. Rising higher to meet with the corner, the captain connected sweetly enough to beat Mohammad Nawaz in goal.
NOMINEE 5 - @chetrisunil11 vs @FCGoaOfficial #HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/2akxBJ0e9Q
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 4, 2020
MICHAEL SOOSAIRAJ
For: ATK
Against: Mumbai City FC
ATK were at their brutal best against Mumbai City FC on Saturday. Despite having lesser possession on the night, the two-time ISL champions emerged 2-0 victorious in a game where Michael Soosairaj shone. ATK cruised into the lead a minute before the half-hour mark through an unlikely source, Pronay Haldar. A goal which was thought to lift the midfielder actually forced him off the field with an injury.
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Coming on was Soosairaj and it didn’t take him long to double ATK’s advantage through a sublime finish. Cutting in from the left, the 25-year-old powered a right-footed curler, giving Amrinder Singh no chance of saving it.
VLATKO DROBAROV
For: Kerala Blasters FC
Against: Hyderabad FC
Kerala Blasters haven’t really enjoyed the smoothest of rides this season. They, in fact, were on a nine-game winless run before meeting Hyderabad at home on Sunday. A game which had the visitors taking the lead turned its head soon after Bartholomew Ogbeche opened the scoring. It was, however, the second the goal which stood out the most in a six-goal thriller.
The goal actually came from a well-worked corner. Four back to back passes from the set-piece released Seityasen Singh alone in the area and the 27-year-old’s ball was perfectly dealt with by Vlatko Drobarov with a simple tap-in.
VINIT RAI
For: Odisha FC
Against: Chennaiyin FC
Odisha FC have seen their fair share of struggles this season, but Josep Gombau’s men have finally managed to get into the groove. Coming on the back of a 2-1 win over Jamshedpur FC, Odisha got the better of Chennaiyin FC in a game which was rather marred by poor pitch conditions.
Nevertheless, Jerry Mawihmingthanga gave the home side a lead after missing a string of chances and it was time for a certain Vinit Rai to take center-stage. Laid up perfectly by Marcos Tebar a bit far from the goal, Rai hit a stunning piledriver which cruised past Vishal Kaith in style.
📽️ | Check out @vinit_vr's Hero of the Match performance in #OFCCFC including that belter for his first-ever #HeroISL goal!#LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/cDn1YIMB2B
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 6, 2020
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Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @bengalurufc