Gameweek 16 of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 turned out to be a round of hard-fought contests, with as many as three matches ending in draws. ATK FC and FC Goa were the only teams in Gameweek 16 to register all three points from their respective fixtures.

Looking back, here are the biggest talking points from the Gameweek gone by.

Rare goalless draws

To get the Gameweek off and running, the first match saw a rare goalless draw being played out at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi between Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC. On the hindsight, it was the first 0-0 scoreline registered in the Hero ISL 2019-20 since Match 22 on November 24, 2019. The scoreline was repeated again one match later, as Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC cancelled each other out with solid defensive displays in a crunch South Indian Derby. Unlike the first match which had no implications on the top four race, the second result could turn out crucial to both the race for the top four and the summit spot.

Krishna hat-trick downs Odisha as ATK confirm semis spot

Gameweek 15 saw Bartholomew Ogbeche register the first hat-trick of the season in a 6-3 loss to Chennaiyin FC. While Hero ISL fans were made to wait till Matchday 72 for the first one, it took just five more matches for the second one. ATK's Roy Krishna grabbed a brilliant treble to subject Odisha to a 3-1 loss and push forward ATK's candidature to finish at the summit. The win also guaranteed ATK's spot in the semi-finals.

Jarni departs after 6-goal thriller between NorthEast and Jamshedpur

Match 79 between NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC was a dead rubber of sorts, with both teams out of reckoning for the top four. The match, however, turned out to be a belter of a contest with the two teams playing out a dramatic 3-3 draw, which saw a penalty saved, a red card and as many as four goals scored in the final 15 minutes plus added time. The match also turned out to be Robert Jarni’s final match in charge of the Highlanders as the club announced that it will be parting ways with the Croat shortly after the match’s conclusion.

Five-star Goa continue surge at Mumbai’s expense

FC Goa put on a scintillating attacking show at the Fatorda to beat Mumbai City FC 5-2 in a crucial tie. Even after conceding first, Goa responded with three quick goals in the first half. The Islanders threatened a comeback momentarily after scoring first in the second half but the Gaurs snuffed it out with two goals of their own. The result propelled Goa back to the top of the table while dealing a heavy blow to Mumbai’s top four chances. Consequently, the result also sealed a top four spot for Bengaluru FC.