It is now down to the last four teams in the Indian Super League but there was no shortage of colour, excitement, glamour or entertainment from the teams. Some of the marquee players, who are the life and blood for the tournament to grab eyeballs, made way but were swiftly replaced by a couple of signature signings.
It was a shame that former Chelsea and Barcelona star Eidur Gudjohnsen was ruled out even before the start of the tournament. However, another yesteryear star, Uruguayan Diego Forlan set the stage on fire by slowly finding his feet in the tournament.
As for the spectators, it was the Kerala Blasters fans who shaded in terms of loyal fan support, turning out for every single home game in large numbers. The football ranged from dire to the spectacular. While the initial run of games were low-scoring games, the intensity picked up gradually. Towards the closing stages, FC Goa and defending champions Chennaiyin FC played out the most exciting game of the tournament with the match finishing 5-4 in the former’s favour.
The opening ceremony was held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati, who have unflinchingly backed the NorthEast United side. The Highlanders fans though, still wait for their semi-final entry, and were disappointed by their side’s poor form at home.
United’s Japanese playmaker Katsumi Yusa scored the first goal of the tournament during their encounter against Kerala Blasters. Sadly, that would turn out to be one of the few goals that Yusa would go on to score for Nelo Vingada’s side during the season and earned an infamous reputation as someone who failed to convert promising chances.
ISL impresses former stars
France and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry landed in India and witnessed an ISL match at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium. Henry said he was impressed with the league. Will the two-time Premier League winner orchestrate a move to India in the forthcoming years?
The lynchpin behind Spanish side Sevilla’s glory years in the mid-2000s, Malian striker Frederic Kanoute also joined the football carnival and watched the El Clasico, which happened during the tournament’s, with football fans in Mumbai.
Banners
Who would have thought Indian football fans could come up with creative, witty and catchy banners? There were plenty of them on show at the stadium and the television cameras found solace in them whenever the on-field action got a a little dreary.
There is no doubt that India’s highest goal scorer of all time, Sunil Chhetri holds a very special place in the hearts of the fans. In Chhetri’s land, even Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi follow him.
Could the Blasters’ fans be far behind? Here they are, juxtaposing some of their top players on a popular Malayalam film poster. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, proved why he is the darling of the masses as he was ever-present in these banners
Expanding abbreviations became a new pass-time activity for loyalists before the start of the game, and teams were competing for adjectives at one stage. However, this remained largely a players’ bastion.
Chapecoence Real
There are many Brazilians who play an important part of the ISL and the football world came to a standstill as most of the second-division side died after a plane crash in Colombia. The Brazilian players never failed to pay their tributes to the ones who lost their lives, whenever they scored a goal.
The image below is from the United-Delhi Dynamos match at Guwahati.
Gameplay
Handling Delhi Dynamos can be a terrifying prospect for any team given the sheer range of their attackers. Brazilian Marcelino, who doubles up as a playmaker and a goalscorer, is topping the scoring charts, and his linkup play with his fellow players has been a treat to watch. Frenchman Florent Malouda, playing from the centre of the park these days, has also been a powerhouse in Gianluca Zambrotta’s side.
Forlan has come, and conquered. The former Manchester United, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid striker has left defenders flummoxed as he seamlessly shuttles from a No.9 to No.10 position. During the last few games, Forlan has displayed his goalscroing prowess and has forged a terrific partnership with Chhetri up front.
FC Pune City disappointed once again, failing to reach the last four despite having a star-studded team and recruiting Antonio Lopez Habas, who coached Atletico de Kolkata to silverware in the first season. Pune and Dynamos played out an enthralling game with Habas’s side winning 4-3.
Goa finished at the bottom of the league table but they finished the season on a high, beating Chennayin FC 5-4 with a last-minute goal from young Indian winger Sunil Tavora.
The Blasters were resuscitated by local boy CK Vineeth in the final stages and powered their way into the last-four with a win on the final matchday, downing NorthEast United 1-0 at Kochi.
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