Recap of Major Events in the 2023-24 Indian Super League Season’s Group Stage

With Mohun Bagan Super Giants claiming their maiden ISL shield by overcoming Mumbai City FC, the group stage of the 2023–24 Indian Super League season has concluded. In this eventful match week, Northeast United, Kerala Blasters, and FC Goa emerged victorious, while Punjab FC’s triumph over East Bengal dashed their playoff hopes. Let’s delve into the key highlights from the matchups of ISL football today.

The first clash of the match week saw East Bengal locking horns with Punjab at JLN Stadium in Delhi. Despite East Bengal’s imperative need for victory to stay in playoff contention, it was Staikos Vergetis’ Punjab that pulled off a stunning 4-1 upset. Madih Talal’s goal before halftime and a subsequent brace by Jordan and Majcen sealed Punjab’s dominant win, extinguishing East Bengal’s playoff aspirations.

Over at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Mohun Bagan SG put up a stellar performance against Bengaluru FC, securing a convincing 4-0 victory. Although head coach Habas couldn’t be present physically due to illness, his team orchestrated an efficient win with goals from Yuste, Thapa, Manvir, and Sadiku. This loss concluded Bengaluru FC’s disappointing season, finishing barren of trophies in the tenth position.

Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters bounced back to winning ways by defeating Hyderabad FC 3-1 at home. Mohammed Aimen opened the scoring, followed by goals from Daisuke Sakai and Nihal Sudeesh. Joao Victor managed a consolation goal for Hyderabad, but it wasn’t enough to thwart the Blasters’ resurgence ahead of the playoffs.

In another game, Northeast United cruised to a 3-0 victory over Odisha FC, with goals from Parthib Gogoi, Nestor Albiach, and Phalguni Singh. While Odisha endured a second consecutive defeat, Northeast United displayed a commendable performance, building on their successful campaign.

Lastly, FC Goa overwhelmed 10-men Chennaiyin FC with a 4-1 triumph at Fatorda Stadium. Carlos Martinez’s brace, along with goals from Borja and Brandon, sealed FC Goa’s victory. This victory sets the stage for an intriguing playoff match between the two sides.

The closing encounter of the match week witnessed Mohun Bagan Super Giants outclassing Mumbai City FC to lift the ISL shield. Liston Colaco and Jason Cummings found the net for the Mariners, securing a 2-1 win. This victory marked a significant achievement for Habas as he finally clinched the long-awaited ISL shield, seeking to add the ISL trophy to his accolades. On the flip side, Mumbai City FC missed out on defending their shield, eyeing redemption in the upcoming playoffs.

In conclusion, the penultimate week of ISL football today showcased exhilarating matchups, setting the stage for an intense playoff phase. Stay tuned with IFTWC for more exciting updates on Indian Football.