Indian Super League: Round 1 Fixtures (Sep 29 – Oct 3 2018) All Things Considered

Here’s a brief overview of the first round of Indian Super League fixtures held this 2018-19 season.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2018

ATK 0 – 2 Kerala Blasters FC

77′ – GOAL – 0-1 (Matej Poplatnik – Kerala Blasters)

86′ – GOAL – 0-2 (Slavisa Stojanovic – Kerala Blasters)

Highlights: Click Here

Talking Points:

1. Kerala Blasters have hit the right chord with the signings of Slovenian Matej Poplatnik and Serbian Stojanovic who both scored for Kerala Blasters and were involved heavily in KBFC’s attacking play.
2. Nemanja Lakic-Pesic alongside Sandesh Jhingan was solid at the back. He was able to pass out from the back, was a threat in the air and kept ATK forwards Balwant Singh and Everton Santos under check throughout the game.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2018

Bengaluru FC 1 – 0 Chennaiyin FC

41′ – GOAL – 1-0 (Miku – Bengaluru FC)

Highlights: Click Here

Talking Points:

1. Chennaiyin will feel hard done by the result. They had two good chances in the first half – both spurned by Jeje Lalpekhlua. The goal scored by Bengaluru FC was against the run of play.
2. After the poor performance by Rahul Bheke in the first half, Bengaluru FC regrouped and were much better and solid in the second half – especially in defence.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 1ST, 2018

NorthEast United FC 2 – 2 FC Goa

8′ – GOAL – 1-0 (Federico Gallego – NorthEast United FC)

14′ – GOAL – 1-1 (Ferran Corominas – FC Goa)

38′ – GOAL – 1-2 (Ferran Corominas – FC Goa)

53′ – GOAL – 2-2 (B. Ogbeche – NorthEast United FC)

Highlights: Click Here

Talking Points:

1. The first goal was a comedy of errors. Mohammad Nawaz conceded the set-piece thinking it was offside, but the referee did not blow the whistle. Taking advantage of the confusion, Federico Gallego of NEUFC took a quick free kick and opened the scoring.
2. FC Goa will feel aggrieved by the referee. With 20 minutes to go, the referee denied them a penalty when Jose Leudo stomped on Hugo Boumous inside the box.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2ND, 2018

Mumbai City FC 0 – 2 Jamshedpur FC

28′ – GOAL – 0-1 (Mario Arques – Jamshedpur FC)

90+5′ – GOAL – 0-2 (Pablo Morgado – Jamshedpur FC)

Highlights: Click Here

Talking Points:

1. Defenders were better than attacking players in the first half. Goian and Tiri shone for Mumbai FC and Jamshedpur respectively.
2. A host of chances for Mumbai City FC in the second half; but they couldn’t be decisive in the final third – some poor finishing cost them.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3RD, 2018

Delhi Dynamos 1 – 1 FC Pune City

44′ – GOAL – 1-0 (Rana Gharami – Delhi Dynamos)

88′ – GOAL – 1-1 (Diego Carlos – FC Pune City)

Highlights: Click Here

Talking Points:

1. Rana Gharami scored a stunner against Pune City from 30 yards out. He becomes the first Indian goal scorer of the 2018-19 ISL season and the goal should be a contender for the goal of the season.
2. Delhi Dynamos will rue their missed chances and lax defending – which led them to concede an equaliser. Diego Carlos literally walked through the Delhi defence to score for FC Pune City.