Page 8 - Indian Super League

Ferrando, Coyle focus on eliminating mistakes as Gaurs clash with Steelmen

FC Goa are currently in the fourth position at the half-way mark with 15 points in the Indian Super League (ISL). But they are 10 points behind leaders Mumbai City FC

Laggards Odisha look to extend two-match unbeaten run against Chennaiyin

Laggards Odisha FC will be eager to extend their two-match unbeaten run when they take on an out-of-sorts Chennaiyin FC in an Indian Super League clash here on Wednesday. After suffering six defeats, Odisha notched their maiden win of the season by defeating Kerala Blasters last week. The bottom-placed side followed that by holding Chennaiyin to a goalless draw over the weekend. On the other hand, Chennaiyin have slipped to eighth after the draw, having managed only one win in their last five outings. The two sides will be hoping for goals and a much-improved performance. The earlier fixture saw both teams missing a number of chances to take the lead and left them in the bottom four. A win on Wednesday will change the script for both of them. However, after facing each other just a few days ago, there is every chance that the two teams will just cancel each other out again. This is something that has crossed Odisha coach Stuart Baxter's mind, but he said that whatever issues stem

ISL-7: NorthEast, Bengaluru see winless streaks continue in stalemate

NorthEast United and Bengaluru FC saw their winless streaks continue as they played out a drab 1-1 draw in the Hero Indian Super League here on Tuesday. Luis Machado (27') opened the scoring for the Highlanders but Rahul Bheke (49') cancelled out his goal after the break to help the Blues salvage a point. The result meant Gerard Nus' side are now winless in seven games, while Bengaluru saw their four-game losing streak end but with a draw at the Tilak Maidan Stadium. NEUFC and Bengaluru both made three changes each to their eleven. However, the Highlanders were forced to make a late change before the whistle with Lalengmawia replacing the injured Lalrempuia Fanai. Bengaluru started the game strongly but despite dominating possession, they entered the break trailing a goal down against their opponents, who created better chances. Machado put NEUFC ahead with a brilliant strike, after netting a brace against the Blues in the reverse fixture earlier this season. Federico Gallego ...

Ogbeche the difference as Mumbai City brush aside ATK Mohun Bagan challenge

Mumbai City FC asserted their dominance by beating ATK Mohun Bagan 1-0 in a hotly-contested Indian Super League match at the Fatorda Stadium here on Monday. Mumbai City are now five points clear at the top of the standings over the second-placed Mariners right at the halfway stage of the league. Bartholomew Ogbeche scored a 69th-minute stunner which was enough for the Islanders to get past their rivals and extended their unbeaten run to nine games. His goal was the first time that ATKMB conceded from open play this season. Sergio Lobera made two changes to Mumbai's eleven with Cy Goddard coming in for the suspended Ahmed Jahouh while Ogbeche was a surprise inclusion ahead of Adam Le Fondre. ATKMB coach Antonio Habas rang in three changes with Manvir Singh starting upfront. Glan Martins paired Javier Hernandez in the midfield with the latter making a comeback after last featuring against Odisha on December 3. Mumbai City were dominant in the first session in terms of possession but

ISL 2020-21: Chennaiyin FC signs Spanish midfielder Manuel Lanzarote

Two-time champion Chennaiyin FC on Monday announced the signing of Spanish midfielder Manuel Lanzarote on a short-term deal till the end of the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season

Facing similar struggles, NorthEast and Bengaluru target revival in ISL

There is little to separate NorthEast United from Bengaluru FC at the halfway stage of ISL as both the teams struggled after a strong start and would look to revive their fortunes

ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City battle for bragging rights in top-two clash

Leaders Mumbai City FC would look extend their eight-match unbeaten streak when they take on ATK Mohun Bagan in a top-two clash of the Indian Super League here on Monday. Mumbai City have been on a roll, notching up seven wins and a draw in their last eight matches after losing their opening game. They have collected 22 points from nine games to be on top of the table. ATK Mohun Bagan are two points adrift of Mumbai City with six wins, two draws and one loss. They are also on a five-match unbeaten streak. The clash of the top two teams could set the tone for the second half of the season. Not only bragging rights are at stake, the fight for top spot could get even feistier with Asian Champions League qualification being the biggest incentive before the play-offs roll in. Having scored 16 goals so far, Mumbai City have the best attack in the league. They have scored at least one goal in their last eight games. ATKMB undeniably have the best defence, having maintained seven clean she

ISL-7: Odisha and Chennaiyin trade missed chances, play out goalless draw

Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC traded missed chances to play out a goal-less draw in their Indian Super League match here on Sunday. The match saw both teams failing to convert clear-cut chances. That Odisha had three shots on target while Chennaiyin managed just two exemplified how much both sides cancelled out each other. Chennaiyin, the better side in terms of possession, though had a couple of chances to get a winner but their forwards were unable to convert them. It was Chennaiyin who dominated the opening exchanges, creating multiple chances in the opening quarter. They had their first big chance during the second minute, but Rahim Ali failed to put his team ahead. A long ball found him through on goal with only Odisha keeper Arshdeep Singh to beat. But his final touch was too heavy and allowed Arshdeep to come out and smother the ball. In the 14th minute, Lallianzuala Chhangte received the ball from Anirudh Thapa and drilled in a low shot, but it only struck the side netting.

10-man Kerala Blasters ride on Murray's late brace to stun Jamshedpur FC

Kerala Blasters put up an inspired show to beat Jamshedpur FC 3-2 for their second win of the Indian Super League season here on Sunday. Kerala Blasters took the lead through Costa Nhamoinesu (22nd) but his goal was neutralised by Nerijus Valskis (36th) before the half-time break. Jordan Murray then scored a brace (79th and 82nd) to hand Kerala three points. Valskis pulled one back for Jamshedpur in the 84th minute. Jamshedpur started strong and should have bagged the lead as early as the 4th minute after some delightful build-up play. Valskis did well to hold the ball and found Mobashir Rahman, whose cross found Jadhav but the youngster's effort deflected off the post. Seven minutes later, Kerala got a gilt-edged opportunity which was the best chance of the opening half. Gary Hooper put Murray through on goal with a decisive pass that split open the Jamshedpur backline. But with only the keeper to beat, the Australian skewed his shot over the bar. However, Kerala soon made amends

Under interim coach, Bengaluru look to turn new leaf against SC East Bengal

Bengaluru FC will look to bounce back under the guidance of interim coach, Naushad Moosa, when they take on a buoyant SC East Bengal in an ISL fixture here on Saturday

Liston Colaco's late goals power Hyderabad to win over NEUFC

Hyderabad FC piled further misery on NorthEast United, extending the Highlanders' winless run to six games with a thumping 4-2 victory in the Indian Super League here on Friday. Hyderabad took the lead through goals from Aridane Santana (3') and Joel Chianese (36') before a penalty from Federico Gallego (45') and Benjamin Lambot's strike (45') helped NEUFC draw parity before the break. Hyderabad settled the tie in their favour in the second half through late goals from substitute Liston Colaco (85', 90'). The first half was a dramatic and open-ended contest with both sides creating ample chances. The Highlanders fashioned more opportunities and despite a two-goal deficit, fought their way back with two goals late in the opening half. It just took three minutes for Hyderabad to break the deadlock as they scored their fastest goal this season. Chianese made his way into the box and cut inside, beating two markers before squaring a pass for Santana. The Spaniard poked his shot past N

ISL 2020-21: Odisha beat Kerala 4-2, record first win of the season

Odisha FC got the monkey off their back as they cruised to their first win of the season with a 4-2 win over Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the GMC Stadium here on Thursday.

ISL 2020-21: Hyderabad FC face NorthEast United in a mid-table clash

Hyderabad FC will be eyeing a top four position at the end of the first leg when they take on NorthEast United FC in a mid-table clash of the Indian Super League (ISL) here on Friday. HFC are currently sixth in the league table, with 12 points from nine games while NorthEast United are a notch below with 11 points. "This is not a normal season and I think it is almost impossible to predict who will end in the top-4 places. But for us, we will have to take it step by step, and focus on our game against NorthEast," said HFC's head coach Manuel Marquez Roca. The NorthEast have a strong squad at their disposal. The likes of Benjamin Lambot, Dylan Fox, Khassa Camara and Kwesi Appiah have all been consistent this season. Indian stars like Ninthoi, Lalengmawia, Gurjinder Kumar and Ashutosh Mehta have also been impressive, adding some balance to the squad. "NorthEast are a well-organised side. They are a team with a lot of young players and a smart coach. Not just Appiah, Lambot, Apuia an

Murgaonkar saves blushes for FC Goa in a 1-1 draw against SC East Bengal

A late goal saved the day for FC Goa as they managed to grab a point after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against SC East Bengal in an Indian Premier League match here on Wednesday

Bengaluru part ways with Cuadrat, Naushad Moosa to step in as interim coach

Bengaluru FC and head coach Carles Cuadrat have "mutually" decided to part ways, the club announced on Wednesday

ISL 7: Misfiring Kerala hopes to recalibrate guns against struggling Odisha

As Kerala Blasters prepare to take on Odisha FC in the ISL at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim on Thursday, the one thing on coach Kibu Vicuna's mind will be how to get his team to score more goals

ISL: East Bengal look to keep revival going, Goa eye third win on trot

Boosted by their first-ever Indian Super League victory, SC East Bengal will look to continue the good form when they take on FC Goa at the Tilak Maidan Stadium here on Wednesday. The new year brought new fortunes for debutants SC East Bengal as they finally bagged their first win in the ISL, brushing aside Odisha FC 3-1 in their last outing. Both sides find themselves at the opposite ends of the points table. SCEB are placed second from the bottom while Goa have jumped to third after late comeback victories over Jamshedpur and Hyderabad. The Gaurs, while starting as favourites, will look to make it three wins on the trot but with the monkey finally off the back for East Bengal, Robbie Fowler's side will certainly fancy its chances. "We want to win games," said Fowler, whose side has been unbeaten in the last three games. "The lads are in a better space now than what we were a few weeks ago. But like I said to them, we got to go out and play the way we can. If you can play the way

ISL 2020-21: Mumbai City breeze past Bengaluru FC with clinical win

Mumbai City FC extended their unbeaten run in the Hero Indian Super League with a comfortable 3-1 win over Bengaluru FC at the Fatorda Stadium on Tuesday. Goals from Mourtada Fall (9'), Bipin Singh (15') and Bartholomew Ogbeche (84') helped the Islanders remain unbeaten in their last eight games and climb to the top of the table. Sunil Chhetri (79') scored late but it wasn't enough to rescue BFC, who have now suffered three straight league defeats for the first time ever since they joined the elite tier of Indian football. Bengaluru made just one change from their previous encounter as Deshorn Brown came in to replace Erik Paartalu while Mumbai coach Sergio Lobera named an unchanged XI from the 2-0 win over Kerala Blasters. BFC squandered an early chance when Brown was set through on goal, but with just the keeper at his mercy, the 30-year-old fired over the crossbar. Unlike BFC, Mumbai didn't miss their chance and took the lead in the ninth minute. Bipin's looped corner was heade

ISL 7: Bengaluru FC face tough Mumbai test in bid to reverse fortunes

A struggling Bengaluru FC will have their task cut out when they take on formidable Mumbai City FC in a bid to reverse their fortunes in the Indian Super League here on Tuesday. Mumbai are enjoying a dream run this season, remaining unbeaten in their last seven matches and maintaining clean sheets in their last two games. On the other hand, for the first time in the history of ISL, BFC have failed to score in consecutive games, losing to ATK Mohun Bagan and Jamshedpur FC in their previous two fixtures. "We had some more time this week and we will try to fight for three points again," Bengaluru coach Carles Cuadrat said on the eve of the match. "In the last two games, the team was trying to create chances to score but unfortunately, we lost some dynamics. "The good thing is we got some goals from other players. That means that the team is working to get goals from different players and is not dependent on a specific player," he added. Bengaluru have scored 11 goals this season but

ISL 2020-21: Hyderabad FC end losing streak, beat Chennaiyin FC 4-1

Hyderabad FC outclassed former champions Chennaiyin FC with a 4-1 win and snapped their three-match losing streak in the Indian Super League here on Monday. It was a royal performance from the Nizams as they raised the level of their game after a goal-less first half to pump in four goals in the second session for a commanding victory. Joel Chianese (50th), Halicharan Narzary (53rd, 79th) and Joao Victor (74th) were on the scoresheet for Hyderabad while Anirudh Thapa (67th) scored the only goal for Chennaiyin, who suffered their first-ever defeat against the Nizams. With their third win, Hyderabad FC moved up to sixth place with 12 points while Chennaiyin slipped to eight place following their third defeat. An exciting first half saw both teams come close to scoring but were unable to break the deadlock. Hyderabad came out of blocks with aggression. They had a plethora of chances with Joel Chianese in the centre of most of moves. For Chennaiyin, custodian Vishal Kaith was at his