5 Best Matches in Indian Super League


5 Best Matches in Indian Super League

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The Indian Super league has created a buzz in Indian football. Many legends of the game have played in the league since its first season. The league has seen some thrilling matches over the years.

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Below we have the list of best matches in the league. There were high-scoring matches as well as edge of the seat thrillers.

5. FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC, 7-0 (2015)

The Indian Super League’s 100th fixture was celebrated in grand style by FC Goa as they demolished Mumbai City FC by 7-0. The score line still remains the highest winning margin in the competition. It is highly unlikely that it will be broken very soon. The match started on an even note with both teams cancelling each other out for 30 mins.

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The floodgates were opened by Thongkoisep Haokip who scored the first goal in the 34th minute. Haokip eventually got his hattrick when he scored the 6th of the game past the helpless Mumbai. His strike partner Dudu also got a hattrick in the game. In the match, FC Goa played the kind of football that their manager Zico’s Brazil displayed in the 70’s and 80’s.

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4. Kerala Blasters vs ATK, 2-3 (2015)

The match was a repeat of the 2014 ISL final where a last-minute goal won the title for ATK. This time the scenario was completely different as both teams did not have the best of starts to their season. When they both teams met, they were desperately looking for 3 points to kick-off their campaign.

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ATK got the opener which was cancelled out by Antonio German’s penalty. The score stood at 1-1 at the half time whistle. The real action started late in the second half when Arata Izumi regained ATK’s lead in the 84th minute. Just like when it looked ATK were all set to take three points home, but Antonio German again popped up with a beautiful left-footed finish. The match was at balance again in no time. However, it was Arata and ATK who had the last laugh as a beautiful move was finished off in the 93rd minute. The match tested nerves of both the sides but ATK somehow managed to win.

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3. Kerala Blasters vs Chennaiyin FC, 1-3 (4-3 on Agg) (2014)

This semi-final in the inaugural season of ISL was one of the greatest games ever with high quality display from both sides. The first leg ended with a comfortable 3-0 win for Kerala Blasters. Chennai however managed to turn the game at the Marina Arena through goals from Mikael Silvestre, Jhingan own goal and a last minute Jeje Lalpheklua strike. Kerala played most of the match with 10 men. James McAllister was sent off in the 28th minute.

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Despite Chennai’s spirited fight in the second leg it was looking likely that Kerala would advance as the score read 2-0 in the closing minutes. Then stepped up Jeje to equalize as the game went to extra time. There was more drama to come in extra time. Marco Matterazzi was first sent off after receiving second yellow card. It looked like the match was to be decided on penalties until a brilliant run into the box by Steven Pearson gave the lead to Blasters on aggregate in the 117th minute. The Marina Arena was stunned as Kerala reached the finals after some good football played over 2 legs.

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2. FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC, 5-4 (2016)

On the second place we have a match which had a total of 9 goals scored in the space of 90 minutes with 5 of those goals coming in the first half an hour of play. The remaining came in the last 20 minutes as the balance shifted from one side to another. The match with goals galore saw Chennaiyin 3-2 up at half-time.

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The second half started on a quiet note. However, with 20 minutes to play, Sahil Tavora levelled things up followed by a Rafael Coelho strike which turned the score line 4-3 in Fc Goa’s favour. John Arne Riise looked to have settled the score at 4-4 after converting a penalty in 88th minute. Little did they know, there was more to come from the Goan Sahil Tavora who scored a spectacular goal in the dying minutes to send the fans into wild celebrations. That game still marks the records for most goals scored in a single game in ISL.

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1. FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC, 2-3 (2015 ISL Final)

It is the battle between the same two teams again that takes the top spot in our rankings. However, the stage is different this time. ISL Final, the biggest stage of all with ISL trophy in the waiting. Both teams were looking to win their first title and went all out in the game.

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After an hour, the game was in balance at 1-1 with caution prevailing from both sides. However, with 3 minutes to go from time, Jofra Matheu sent the Fatorda into huge celebrations as he scored a fine goal to lead Goa towards their first title. Who knew destiny had other ideas as an unfortunate own goal from the FC Goa keeper helped Chennaiyin to scrap a goal back. With all set for penalties to decide the winner, Stiven Mendoza smashed home the winner to win the title for Chennaiyin in emphatic fashion. As they say in football, “Football bloody hell”, “It is not over until it is over”. Chennaiyin lifted the title in front of silenced Goan fans.

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