ISL-3 has been a tournament of upsets

Many experts are predicting that the 3rd Hero Indian Super League final should be between Delhi Dynamos and Mumbai City FC. Both these teams are well balanced and have several players who are lethal goal-scorers. Holders Chennaiyin FC and 2014 semi-finalists FC Goa finished seventh and bottom of the league table, respectively.

If Kerala Blasters lose their last league match to NorthEast United FC, then even the 2014 ISL runners-up will be out of the fray. In that case, two new teams Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United FC will feature in the last four.

The third ISL has been a tournament of upsets, with only Atletico de Kolkata bucking the trend. Under new coach Jose Molina they have qualified for their third successive semi-final. Midfielders Borja Fernandez (Spain) and Sameehg Doutie (South Africa) have excelled for ATK, with their mature defensive play and measured passes. If strikers Iain Hume (Canada) and Helder Postiga (Portugal) click in the remaining matches, ATK, champions of ISL-2014, could be the dark horses to win once again.

FC Pune City, despite poaching ATK’s coach Antonio Habas, still did not click. This only proves that coaches do not work wonders. FC Pune lacked quality strikers and struggled to score goals. Another team with scoring problems was Chennaiyin FC. When they became champions in 2015, their attack was lethal, the speed and thrust of Stiven Mendoza (scored 13 goals in 13 matches) and the guile of India’s rising star Jeje Lapekhlua. Mendoza was unavailable for the 3rd ISL as he joined New York City FC in the Major League Soccer.

Chennaiyin FC used Jeje Lalpekhlua and ex-Nigerian international Dudu Omagbemi as their twin strikers. This combination did not click as both are similar players, who rely on shielding and close control. They lacked a striker with Mendoza’s blistering pace to unsettle rival defences and create openings.

FC Goa’s tale of woe started before the tournament started, with the change of owners and uncertainty if they would field a team. Ten of their players from last season departed to other franchises as they were uncertain if FC Goa would field a side. Their coach for the third successive year Zico admitted that they were compelled to buy players, who were available at that time. FC Goa’s mediocre form in the 3rd ISL can be excused as they started building a side when the seven other franchises were finishing their pre-season training. Zico felt that FC Goa should not have fielded a team in the 3rd ISL as they were unprepared.

Several Indian players have performed creditably and consistently in the 3rd ISL. According to Zico, NorthEast United’s central midfielder Rowling Borges and Delhi Dynamos thrustful winger Kean Lewis have been the most impressive Indian players on view. Besides them, Delhi Dynamos’ midfielder Oingam Milan Singh, with his exemplary work rate, long range shots and distribution and hard tackling defender Anas Edathodika have also impressed. Among goalkeepers, veteran Subroto Pal has performed heroically for NorthEast United as has ATK’s dynamic Debjit Mazumdar. Other Indian players to impress were midfielder Pronoy Halder, NEUFC’s roving winger Holicharan Nazary and in-form striker C.K. Vineeth of Kerala Blasters.