With the biggest Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season getting underway this past week at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, a new benchmark was set in the annals of Indian football. For the first time in Hero ISL history, 10 teams will battle it out to become champions. The first match-week came to a close with a win for Bengaluru FC over Mumbai City FC on Sunday. Here are the results and some of the talking points from opening week.

FULL-TIME RESULTS

Match 1: Kerala Blasters FC 0 - 0 ATK (Match Report)

Match 2: NorthEast United FC 0 - 0 Jamshedpur FC (Match Report)

Match 3: Chennaiyin FC 2 - 3 FC Goa (Match Report)

Match 4: Bengaluru FC 2 - 0 Mumbai City FC (Match Report)

MOMENTS OF THE WEEK

Spain’s Corominas becomes Hero ISL 2017-18’s first goal-scorer

A lot of hype surrounded the opening fixture of Hero ISL 2017-18 between Kerala Blasters FC and ATK, but it ended in a goalless draw and so did the next match between NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC. After a long wait, India celebrated the season’s first goal when FC Goa’s Ferran Corominas combined brilliantly with Brandon Fernandes before sliding the ball under Chennai’s goalkeeper Karanjit Singh to open the scoring.

Dessai becomes the season’s first domestic goal-scorer

The Chennai-Goa encounter, in fact, saw the goals come in thick and fast as the Gaurs shattered Chennaiyin FC’s resistance to take a 3-0 lead by half-time. Registering his name on the scoresheet with a 38th-minute strike was Goa’s local boy, Mandar Rao Dessai. His first-time shot from a Manuel Lanzarote pass beat Goa’s custodian and rippled the back of the net. It was the first goal by an Indian this season, which means Chennai can no longer claim that the first Indian scorer in every Hero ISL season was a part of the southerners at the time. Balwant Singh scored for Chennai in the inaugural edition, Jeje Lalpekhlua scored the first by Indian in the second and Jayesh Rane was the first Indian to net last year.

Bengaluru FC make a winning start to their Hero ISL adventure

Arguably one of India’s most successful clubs in recent times, Bengaluru FC holds the distinction of being the only Indian club till date to qualify for the final of the AFC Cup. When the club made the announcement of joining Hero ISL in the 2017-18 season, expectations were high. Having retained India’s captain Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh, Bengaluru made a massive statement on debut by breaking down Mumbai City FC’s strong defence to win 2-0 in front of their home fans in Bengaluru.

Strong squads on paper, fail to deliver on the pitch

With the likes of Dimitar Berbatov, Iain Hume and CK Vineeth plying their trade for the Blasters this season, Kerala’s attack looked the most formidable. However, in the match against ATK, both Berbatov and Hume found it difficult to express themselves and could not play with the flair and tenacity they are renowned for. The same goes for debutants, Jamshedpur FC who were touted to have one of the best defences in the league. The defence led by Tiri and Anas Edathodika looked flustered in front of NorthEast United FC’s young side at times and it was only with the help of some good fortune that they managed to steal a point at the end of 90 minutes.

Match week two kicks off at Pune with FC Pune City welcoming Delhi Dynamos FC in what will be the first match of the season for both the teams.