The ISL can be a hectic affair with matches happening almost daily (sometimes twice a day) so to help you keep track of all the goings on, we will be putting out this rolling report after every match herein on. In this report, we look at all the games that will happen in the days leading up to a rest day.
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For this first report we look at matches from Friday (13 Sep) to Tuesday (17 Sep), i.e. Matchweek 1 of ISL 2024-25 with the latest match report coming first.
FC Goa 1 - 2 Jamshedpur FC
(Armando Sadiku 45'+3'; Javi Siverio 74' (P), Jordan Murray 90'+4')
The trend of late, later winners continued when a Jordan Murray special (spectacular hit from a sharp angle, just inside the penalty box) won Jamshedpur FC their game away at FC Goa. The home side had started the stronger with Albino Gomes and the Stephen Eze led defence pulling off some superb saves/blocks/tackles to keep Goa at bay but it was a Gomes mistake that allowed a straightforward looking Sadiku shot to creep in. Jamshedpur came fired up in the second half and Siverio's persistence won him a controversial penalty for a deemed off-the-ball foul, and he duly converted, before Murray's late stunner sealed the deal.
Mohammedan Sporting 0 - 1 NorthEast United
(Alaeddine Ajaraie 90'+4')
The ISL debutants put up quite the fight, but the surprise Durand Cup winners showed just why they will be a dangerous side this season. The eventual winners created the better chances, playing on the counter and Ajaraie's finish was a calm one (as was Thoi Singh's excellent assist). Jithin MS was once again the best player on the pitch, and his personal trajectory will be as interesting to track as NEU's.
For those who may have thought that MSC are pushovers, meanwhile, it's already time to rethink - Andrey Chernyshov's team look a very decent outfit.
Kerala Blasters 1 - 2 Punjab FC
(Jesus Jimenez 90' +2; Luka Majcen (P) 86', Filip Mrzljak 90'+5')
Neither side did much for the first 85 minutes, but the last ten were proper action packed. A mazy Leon Augustine run gave Punjab a penalty which Majcen thumped home. A lovely Pritam Kotal cross give Jimenez a goal on Blasters debut. Majcen then turned provider for Mrzljak to poke one past Sachin Suresh (and a napping Milos Drincic) and silence a crowd that had just been given its voice back by Jimenez.
The end was marred with a bit of a fracas after a Rahul KP foul on Majcen, but Punjab held on for a big win.
Bengaluru FC 1 - 0 East Bengal FC
(Vinith Venkatesh 25')
A superbly taken goal from BFC's first ever (fully) homegrown senior team player was the difference as Carles Cuadrat returned to a familiar ground and returned with no points. It was a rough, scrappy affair -- as it always promised to be -- but BFC already look a shade or three better than they were last season. There's still work to be done at EB, though, primarily finding a way for Madih Talal and Dimi Diamantakos to play together.
Odisha 2 - 3 Chennaiyin
(Diego Mauricio 9' (P), Roy Krishna 90' + 5'; Farukh Chaudhary 48', 51', Daniel Chukwu 69')
What a match this was. Hugo Boumous' return was one of the main talking points ahead of the match and he delivered teasing glimpses of his talent - one of which won Odisha an early penalty which Mauricio converted with minimum fuss. The home side went into the break 1-0 up, but even as they bossed possession and created some good chances (a Boumous header the standout), it never really looked like Chennaiyin were out of it (Hnamte hit the post with a fk). And so, it proved in the next 45 - when Chaudhary stabbed home a Connor Shields pass after an excellent late run into the box. He then capitalized on a bad Amrinder error, to turn the keeper's ball to his feet into the net. Chukwu was then given the freedom of the Kalinga to shoot from the edge of the box, and he thundered a half volley home. Roy Krishna's persistence won Odisha a consolation, but it was too little, too late.
The only side that was unbeaten at home last season have lost their first home game this season - but both Chennaiyin and Odisha look offensively potent enough to trouble the top spots this season.
Mohun Bagan 2 - 2 Mumbai City FC
(Tiri (OG) 9', Alberto Rodriguez 28'; Tiri 70', Thaer Krouma 90')
The two best teams from last season once again showed there's little to separate them after a game of two halves. The first was all Bagan as incessant pressure from a Greg Stewart marshalled attacked bent the game to their will. The first goal came of Liston Colaco flying down the wing, cutting in at the byline and smashing a low cross into the box that ricocheted off Phurba Lachenpa and Tiri before going in. The second came from a set piece when Stewart cushioned a header for Rodriguez to scramble it in. The second half started with Mumbai reasserting themselves -- new captain Lallianzuala being key -- before Tiri scrambled in a goal after a bit of pinball at the goal mouth and Krouma levelled it with a perfect finish from just outside the box off a PN Noufal cutback.