The Matchweek 15 action of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 rounded off with Odisha FC continuing to lead the points table despite not featuring in the last eight matches.
Twenty goals were scored across eight matches in a series of gripping encounters that saw Jamshedpur FC (4-0 vs Punjab FC) and Mohun Bagan Super Giant (4-2 vs NorthEast United FC) recording big victories with the likes of East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Chennaiyin FC, and Mumbai City FC getting past Hyderabad FC, FC Goa, Kerala Blasters FC, and East Bengal FC with a wafer-thin margin of 1-0 respectively.
Interestingly, the standings are heating up as the season approaches its final stages, with there being no draws this past week as each match saw some visible movement in the rankings of the concerned teams.
FC Goa look to thwart competition
Until some time ago, the Gaurs were comfortably placed at the top, but their unbeaten streak was broken by the Mariners and the Manolo Marquez-coached side is embroiled in an intense tussle currently.
They are tied on points with Mumbai City FC (28), and have been surpassed by Odisha FC (31) and Mohun Bagan Super Giant (29) in the standings. They face the misfiring Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC in matchweek 16. With 19 goals, the Gaurs have a shot conversion rate of 11.9%, which is only the ninth-best in the league.
It is their defensive solidity, of keeping seven clean sheets and conceding the same count of goals that have taken them so far in the competition. The absence of Sandesh Jhingan is thus bound to hit their prospects, especially when they face the Highlanders, whose latest acquisition Tomi Juric has hit the ground running with three goals in as many games already.
Whether Juric turns up for the challenge again on Wednesday will have a massive impact on the Gaurs breaking out of the crowded space that is beginning to unfold in the top half of the table.
Jamshedpur FC surge
Jamshedpur FC has won and drawn twice each since the league resumed late last month. 47.05% of their points (8) this season have been won under the watch of Khalid Jamil, despite the tactician being at the helm of only 25% (4) of their total matches so far (16). 42.85% of their goals (9) have been scored since Jamil took over the reins, and by all means, the Red Miners are just getting started in their pursuit of possibly doing the unthinkable in this campaign.
Top-of-the-table tussle
Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant promise fireworks when they clash in Bhubaneswar on the coming Saturday. The current league leaders have scored the joint-most goals (28) in the ISL this season. The Juggernauts are unbeaten in the competition since October and the Mariners haven’t faced defeat here since Antonio Lopez Habas replaced Juan Ferrando either.
