Odisha FC suffered a setback in their pursuit of the final playoff spot, with defending champions Bengaluru FC running riot to emerge 3-0 victors at home on matchday 14 of the Indian Super League.
The visitors however, were helped by the fact that Mumbai City FC too failed to get all three points against bottom-placed Hyderabad FC meaning there is still a point differentiating the Islanders and Odisha.
Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, stretched their winning run to three games with a convincing 4-1 win over Jamshedpur, while joint-league leaders, FC Goa and ATK narrowly survived to win all three points against Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC respectively.
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As many as 16 goals were scored across five games, and here are the best from the lot:
Nerijus Valskis
For: Chennaiyin FC
Against: Jamshedpur FC
Chennaiyin’s Nerijus Valskis has been in stunning form of late. After a rather slow start to his new life in India, the 32-year-old has run riot by scoring five goals in his last three games, taking his tally to 10 for the season.
Against Jamshedpur FC, the Lithuanian was at his usual best, but the most entertaining goal came in the 74th minute when Anirudh Thapa’s defence-splitting pass set Valskis through on goal. There was a lot to do though, and the 32-year-old managed to get past his marker and slot home with a neat chip over Subrata Pal.
Sergio Castel
For: Jamshedpur FC
Against: Chennaiyin FC
Jamshedpur FC upped the gear once they found themselves wanting against Chennai. The result eventually came in the 71st minute after a string of passes finally culminated in a goal by none other than Sergio Castel.
Right-back Joyner Lourenco had sent a looping ball into the area, and Castel met the swinging cross with his head to beat Vishal Kaith in goal.
Jackichand Singh
For: FC Goa
Against: Kerala Blasters
Ferran Corominas failed to get onto the scoresheet against Kerala on Saturday, but he did set-up Jackichand Singh for his first goal of the ISL. Left unmarked on the right side of the penalty area, the Spaniard sent a swinging ball towards Hugo Boumous, but Jackichand was quick enough to get his foot in the midst, deflecting the shot into the back of the net.
Hugo Boumous
For: FC Goa
Against: Kerala Blasters
With score tied at 2-2, Goa played a quick one-two in Kerala’s half, and their patience was duly rewarded in the 83rd minute when midfielder Hugo Boumous met with an Ahmed Jahouh long ball to slot home a fantastic volley, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @IndSuperLeague
