The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 saw its ninth matchweek rounding off with NorthEast United FC and Hyderabad FC playing out a 1-1 draw at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday. 10 teams were in action in a total of five matches with FC Goa and Kerala Blasters FC continuing to occupy the top two spots in the points table currently.
Jamshedpur FC, Punjab FC, and Hyderabad FC are in the last three positions respectively as the standings heat up with a flurry of competitive matches coming up later this month. Regardless of the nature of the results, the week gone by in the Indian top tier was certainly eventful, and the following are some of the major takeaways from the same.
Farewell and a new beginning
Bengaluru FC mutually parted ways with head coach Simon Grayson after their 4-0 loss against Mumbai City FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Friday. The English head coach wore a dejected look in the post-match press conference, saying, “It was men against boys. It was embarrassing. It was a lacklustre performance.” Soon afterwards, the club came out with a statement announcing the coach’s departure from the club.
Grayson can look back at his time with the Blues with fond memories, from making it to three finals last season and winning the Durand Cup as well. The Englishman had inspired them to a remarkable comeback in the second half of the previous campaign. Grayson will be leaving India after having carved a defining impact on Bengaluru FC.
Meanwhile, Mumbai City FC replaced Buckingham with Petr Kratky, who was the assistant manager at the City Football Group (CFG)-owned Melbourne City FC before taking on this responsibility with the Islanders. Interestingly, Buckingham held the same role in the A-League outfit before coming to join the ISL club in 2021, and the team will be hoping that familiarity with the organisation and continuity in the style of play can help Mumbai City FC uphold the high footballing standards that they have set on and off the field lately.
Late goals save the day for teams
There are few things as entertaining as injury-time equalisers or winners in football, and the last week saw two such instances, incidentally in the first couple of games itself. Quite often, domineering strikers who sniff goals and put them to bed are the ones who give rise to such euphoric moments. Here too, Armando Sadiku and Daniel Chima Chukwu rose to the occasion to rescue a point each for Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Jamshedpur FC against Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC respectively.
Sadiku, in fact, notched a brace and culminated his outing with a timely strike that deserted the Juggernauts of a chance to defeat the Mariners in their backyard, yet again! Chukwu, on the other hand, was brought in as a substitute and his impact was felt immediately, netting in the 90th minute to get the Red Miners level on scores with Chennaiyin FC. Both these strikers need to produce more such power-packed performances for the betterment of their sides moving forward.
Hyderabad FC, Punjab FC still waiting for wins
Nine games into the campaign, both Punjab FC and Hyderabad FC are still pursuing their first win of the ISL 2023-24 season. Staikos Vergetis and his men faced a formidable challenge in the form of East Bengal FC, who had just put five past NorthEast United FC in their previous encounter. The homework that the league debutants had done reflected in their outing against the Red & Gold Brigade, as holding an in-form side from scoring in a home encounter is a pretty tough challenge.
In Guwahati, the duo of Mohammad Yasir and Petteri Pennanen joined hands to get their side back after trailing for the better part of the first half against the Highlanders. Whilst both these sides did well to add a point to their tallies, a sense of finishing touch to seal a game lock, stock, and barrel, has been missing in their performances right throughout the campaign. Approaching the midway mark of the season, it is essential that they get their act together and start climbing higher up the table to do justice to the incredible potential underlying in their ranks at the moment.
