As the Indian Super League nears the last international break of 2019, we take a look at the first 15 days of riveting football this season. So far, this edition has witnessed quite a number of brilliant goals, with new signings like Odisha FC’s Aridane Santana and ATK’s David Williams capturing major attention with their early peak.
Here we list down five ultimate goals scored in the first 15 matches of ISL 2019-20 that is sure to delight the fans.
ARIDANE SANTANA
Club: Odisha FC
Against: Mumbai City FC
Acquired on loan from the Spanish outfit Cultural Leonesa, the 32-year-old Santana has taken to the league like a duck takes to water. His best performance this season has come against Mumbai City FC away from home where he assisted one and got two in his kitty. 21 minutes into the game and youngster Jerry Mawihmingthanga laid a sweet ball for the striker on the edge of the box. It might have felt easier for the spectators, but there was still a lot to do than what met the eye. Santana, who connected the ball with his right, slotted home with a neat finish at the bottom right corner to give his team a two-goal cushion.
SERGIO CASTEL
Club: Jamshedpur FC
Against: Odisha FC
Despite being reduced to 10 men inside 35 minutes, Jamshedpur FC seemed reluctant on giving away a win. With the game tied at 1-1 until 84 minutes, the Men of Steel decided to up the thrust and capitalized on a counter. Piti, running towards the final line of defenders, found Sergio Castel on his right, and the Spaniard – with his neat touch – got into the goal-scoring opportunity. Francisco Dorronsoro did try closing him down, but a lovely chip over the keeper found the back of the net to send the home fans into a frenzy.
ROY KRISHNA
Club: ATK
Against: Hyderabad FC
Mere two minutes after Williams had put ATK in front with a neat finish against Hyderabad, new signing Roy Krishna made his mark with an absolute beauty from distance. The Fiji captain was afforded yards of space and he duly pounced upon the given opportunity. He indeed needed an assistant from the frame of the goal, but one cannot deny the exquisite class of his strike.
CARL MCHUGH
Club: ATK
Against: Kerala Blasters
The first game of the new ISL season kicked off in absolute style, with the away team, ATK finding the net in as early as the sixth minute. A long set-piece delivery was sent all the way to the away post and center-back Agus, with his tall frame, headed the ball into the dangerous area, founding fellow defender Carl McHugh, who decided to take the shot first time with a calculated left-footed volley. The ball swung over everyone including keeper Bilal Khan to find its way into the net.
MARCELINHO
Club: Hyderabad FC
Against: Kerala Blasters
After enduring back-to-back defeats in the opening two games, Hyderabad FC bounced back with a narrow 2-1 win over Kerala Blasters. As the match entered its final 10 minutes, Hyderabad were awarded a free-kick some 25 odd yards out. It indeed seemed a long way out, but up stepped the Brazilian, Marcelinho whose left-footed curler swung into the top left corner to give his side a much-deserved win.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @ATK
