Gameweek 22 Wrap: Mumbai City FC claim League Winners Shield and new record for most goals in a Hero ISL game
Gameweek 22 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 saw all suspense come to an end as the semi-final line-ups became crystal clear.
Gameweek 22 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 saw all suspense come to an end as the semi-final line-ups became crystal clear. Bengaluru FC and SC East Bengal worked hard in their bid to end the season on a high but that didn’t happen. The Blues were beaten by Jamshedpur FC while the Red and Gold Brigade lost to Odisha FC in a match that saw a new Hero ISL record set in terms of most goals in a game. NorthEast United FC and FC Goa meanwhile secured their place in the top four. The Highlanders did so after securing a win over Kerala Blasters FC, and the Gaurs held Hyderabad FC to a 0-0 draw to finish fourth. Juan Ferrando’s men will now play Mumbai City FC in the first semi-final after the Islanders sealed the top spot with a win over ATK Mohun Bagan in the last match of the gameweek. In the second semis, NorthEast United FC will play the Mariners. Here, we take a look at the highlights from the gameweek gone by.
NorthEast United and FC Goa secure place in the top four
The Highlanders scored two goals against Kerala Blasters FC and even kept a clean sheet to secure a win and a berth in the semi-finals. Suhair Vadakkepeedika and Lalengmawia were the goal-scorers for NorthEast United FC.
In the penultimate game of the league stage, FC Goa secured their place in the top four after holding Hyderabad FC to a goalless draw. FC Goa’s draw meant NorthEast United FC sealed the third spot and the fourth spot went to the Gaurs. Hyderabad FC finished their season in fifth place.
Jamshedpur FC wrap up their season with win over the Blues
Goals from Stephen Eze, Seiminlen Doungel and David Grande in the first half secured the three points for Jamshedpur FC over Bengaluru FC. Bengaluru FC scored twice in the second half courtesy of goals from Francisco Gonzalez and Sunil Chhetri but that was as far as they could go. Jamshedpur FC and the Blues finished their season in sixth and seventh places respectively. Chennaiyin FC meanwhile finished eighth.
Odisha FC prevail over SC East Bengal in goal-fest
Eleven goals were scored in Odisha FC’s 6-5 win over SC East Bengal. This is the most number of goals ever scored in a single game in Hero ISL history, the previous record was nine goals. Six of these 11 goals were scored by Indian players, with S Lalhrezuala scoring once, and Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Paul Ramfangzauva scoring braces for Odisha FC. For SC East Bengal, Aaron Joshua Holloway scored twice, with Jeje Lalpekhlua and Anthony Pilkington also finding the net. Ravi Kumar also contributed to the Red and Gold Brigade’s tally with an own goal. Despite the win, Odisha FC finished last in the league (11th) while SC East Bengal finished ninth ahead of Kerala Blasters FC.
Mumbai City FC own League Winners Shield
In what was the last game of the league stage this season, Mumbai City FC beat ATK Mohun Bagan 2-0 on their way to clinching the League Winners Shield. The win brought them level on 40 points with the Mariners but the Islanders sealed the top spot on the basis of accumulating more points against Antonio Lopez Habas’ men during the league stage. They had won the first game too earlier in the season. In Sunday’s win, Mourtada Fall and Bartholomew Ogbeche scored as Mumbai City FC also qualified for next year’s AFC Champions League group stage.
