Matchweek 11 of the Indian Super League (ISL) delivered yet another round of captivating action, as teams in the top half of the table continued to assert their dominance with crucial results.

Five of the six games ended decisively, with each victorious team securing a win by a two-goal margin. The only exception was a goalless stalemate between Odisha FC and Mumbai City FC, marking the sole draw of the week.

The standout fixture was undoubtedly the Southern rivalry clash between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters FC. In a pulsating six-goal thriller, the Blues emerged victorious, cementing the game as one of the week’s most memorable encounters.

As Matchweek 11 comes to a close, here are the biggest talking points from an action-packed week in the ISL.

100 up for Manolo Marquez and in style

FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez celebrated a significant milestone last week, overseeing his 100th Indian Super League (ISL) game, joining an elusive list of coaches to achieve this feat.

It was a fixture laden with sentiment for Marquez, against his former club Hyderabad FC. The occasion was made even more special as both his current and former teams commemorated the achievement before kickoff.

What followed was a night to remember for Marquez. The Gaurs delivered a solid performance, securing their fifth win of the season and extending their winning streak to four games. To add to the accomplishment, the victory came away from home, a place which had become Marquez’s old home.

For Marquez, it was a bittersweet moment but there couldn’t have been a better way to mark his 100th ISL game than his team securing three crucial points.

Chhetri sets new record

Another game, another milestone for the evergreen Sunil Chhetri in what was arguably the match of the week. The veteran forward returned to Bengaluru FC’s starting XI against arch-rivals Kerala Blasters FC and delivered a stellar performance, leaving with the match ball. At 40 years and 126 days, Chhetri became the oldest player in ISL history to score a hat-trick.

The iconic forward opened the scoring with a commanding header in the first half, before Ryan Williams extended their lead. Though the Blasters fought back to cut the deficit in the second half, Chhetri’s brilliance shone through. He doubled Bengaluru FC’s lead with a sharp first-time finish and completed his treble with another clinical strike. This masterclass marked his third ISL hat-trick, helping Bengaluru FC reclaim the top spot and sending fans into raptures.

East Bengal FC setting the tone

A season that began with six consecutive defeats now has a glimmer of hope for East Bengal FC. Under the steady guidance of head coach Oscar Bruzon, the Red and Gold Brigade appear to be turning things around. Their commanding second-half performance in the latest match secured back-to-back victories, lifting them to 11th place—above Hyderabad FC and Mohammedan SC.

For the first time in their ISL history, East Bengal FC have won consecutive matches with clean sheets, adding three straight shutouts to their name.

This defensive solidity is a welcome change for a team that had conceded 12 goals in their first six games.

While confidence is on the rise, the road ahead remains challenging. If Bruzon’s men can maintain this upward trajectory, they have every right to believe that they can reach the playoffs.

Mohammedan SC matches unwanted record

After a strong start to their ISL debut, Mohammedan SC’s momentum seems to have stalled. Following four points from their first three games, the team has collected just one point in the seven games since—a disappointing draw against nine-man East Bengal FC in last month’s Kolkata Derby.

Their latest defeat, a loss to Punjab FC in Matchweek 11, saw them slump to their seventh defeat of the season.

This equals the unwanted record set by Hyderabad FC (W1 D2 L7 in the 2019–20 season) for the most losses in the first 10 games of an ISL campaign.

The Black and White Brigade must rediscover their early-season form quickly to salvage what’s left of their debut ISL season.

Mohun Bagan SG keep marching

The Mohun Bagan SG juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down. The Mariners secured their seventh win of the season, edging past NorthEast United FC in a tightly contested battle.

This clash was a true test of Mohun Bagan SG’s character. No team had defeated NorthEast United FC in Guwahati this season, and the Mariners faced the added challenge of playing without key centre-backs Alberto Rodriguez and Subashish Bose, both instrumental to their campaign so far. Yet, the visitors demonstrated their squad's depth and resilience, seamlessly compensating for the absence of their centre-backs.

Goalkeeper Vishal Kaith delivered a standout performance, making six crucial saves to keep the hosts at bay. The defence held firm, not only clinching the three points but also achieving a hard-fought clean sheet becoming the first team to silence NorthEast United FC in their den.

Mohun Bagan SG are proving themselves to be a formidable force this season. For now, it seems there’s no stopping the Mariners.

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Mohun Bagan Super GiantMohammedan SCEast Bengal FCFC Goa2024-2025 Sunil Chhetri