The Hero Indian Super league (ISL) has seen a number of firsts in its four seasons so far. This has not only highlighted the improving quality of play in the country but has also displayed the hunger the players have to prove themselves at the highest level.

We might be at the half-way stage of the 2017-18 season, but it has already seen its share of records being created and surpassed. On January 17, 2018, a young Jerry Mawihmingthanga made his way into the record books for scoring the fastest goal of the league. The diminutive winger would surpass Chris Dagnall’s time that was set in 2015.

Here’s a look at the five fastest goals that have lit up the Hero ISL so far…

23 SECONDS: JERRY MAWIHMINGTHANGA FOR JAMSHEDPUR FC

(Match 49: Jamshedpur vs Kerala Blasters FC, 2018)

The swiftest Hero ISL goal till date has the name of youngster Mawihmingthanga written all over it. The Blasters’ defence had hardly settled when he took everyone by surprise to ruffle the net inside 23 seconds to give Jamshedpur FC the lead.

The 20-year-old showed great awareness to pounce on a miscued shot from team-mate Ashim Biswas and round off the ’keeper before slotting it into an empty goal. The debutants would eventually go on to win the tie 2-1.

29 SECONDS: CHRIS DAGNALL FOR KERALA BLASTERS FC

(Match 38: NorthEast United FC vs Kerala Blasters FC, 2015)

When NorthEast United FC hosted Kerala Blasters FC in 2015, it was Chris Dagnall’s expeditious strike that shocked the Highlanders then. With just 29 seconds on the clock, the Englishman broke apart the opponent’s defence in his team’s very first attack to score big.

Antonio German brilliantly squared the ball after a fleeting run down the left flank for Dagnall, who made no mistake and tapped the ball past the ’keeper from the six-yard box. Kerala finished with a dominating 4-1 win over the hosts.

48 SECONDS: MOHAMMED RAFI FOR KERALA BLASTERS FC

(Match 22: FC Pune City vs Kerala Blasters FC, 2015)

Prior to Dagnall’s strike, it was another Blasters’ player who held this record. In the same year, when FC Pune City hosted the Blasters, Rafi split open the Stallions’ defence with just 48 seconds on the clock.

The goal came off a Dagnall cross, with an on-rushing Rafi timing his run to perfection to deposit the ball past Steve Simonsen in the Pune goal with a thumping header. However, the Blasters would end up losing that tie with a 2-3 margin.

53 SECONDS: WIM RAYMAEKERS FOR DELHI DYNAMOS FC

(Match 12: Delhi Dynamos FC vs Chennaiyin FC, 2014)

The inaugural edition of the Hero ISL saw the bar set high by none other than a Delhi Dynamos FC player and that too, a full-back. Belgian defender Wim Raymaekers surprised many when he slotted home a goal against Chennaiyin FC within 53 seconds.

Italian great Alessandro Del Piero would take a corner short towards Malsawmtluanga Shylo who, in turn, would find an unmarked Raymaekers at the edge of the penalty area. The 32-year-old then fired in an exquisite long-ranger into the top right corner that would leave the Chennaiyin unit stunned. The Dynamos went on to register a commanding 4-1 win that night.

1 MINUTE 8 SECONDS: LALRINDIKA RALTE FOR ATK

(Semi-final 1st Leg: ATK vs Mumbai City FC, 2016)

2016 was all about ATK. Not only did they score the fastest goal that season but they also ended up claiming their second Hero ISL title.

It was the first leg of the semi-finals and the Kolkata side were hosting a high-flying Mumbai City FC. Though many would have hoped for the Diego Forlan-led Mumbai side to dominate the proceedings, a certain Lalrindika Ralte had different plans that night.

Ralte ensured that Kolkata were not bogged down by Mumbai and gave his side the perfect start.

It was just over a minute when the 25-year-old would flick on a Borja Fernandez cross to see the ball loop behind Mumbai ’keeper Amrinder Singh into the goal. ATK would go on to win that match 3-2 and then hold Mumbai to a goalless draw to make their way into the final.

Have a favourite among these goals? Tell us in the comments below.