In the Hero Indian Super League (ISL), 2022 turned out to be a year of many firsts besides providing us action-packed entertainment, thrill, and tightly-contested matchups. A staggering 381 goals were scored throughout the year in 2022 apart from plenty of new records being set. 

The Hero ISL 2021-22 season went down to the wire as two Hero ISL clubs clinched their first silverware. With hard work and grit, Jamshedpur FC went on to win the League Winners' Shield while Hyderabad FC, under head coach Manolo Marquez, notched the Hero ISL title in dramatic fashion by getting the better of Kerala Blasters on penalties.  

2022 also witnessed the return of fans to the stadiums for the first time since March 2020 with the Hero ISL 2021-22 final being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Goa.

While few clubs have continued their impressive form in the ongoing season like in Hero ISL 2021-22, plenty others have struggled to get going. Most notably, the defending League Shield Winners Jamshedpur FC, who are placed 10th after ending the 2022 on a high. The Red Miners secured the most wins last season (13), but have ended on the winning side just once this season.

So If we had to create a Hero ISL table looking at just how Hero ISL clubs fared in 2022 (not including the semi-finals and final), here’s what it would look like:

Team	Matches	Wins	Draws	Defeats	Points
Hyderabad FC	24	16	3	5	51
ATK Mohun Bagan	24	13	7	4	46
Kerala Blasters FC	23	13	4	6	43
Mumbai City FC	23	12	6	5	42
Jamshedpur FC	23	11	2	10	35
Odisha FC	23	9	5	9	32
FC Goa	24	8	6	10	30
Bengaluru FC	22	9	3	10	30
Chennaiyin FC	23	6	5	12	23
East Bengal FC	22	4	4	14	16
NorthEast United FC	23	2	3	18	9

It comes as no surprise that Hyderabad FC are at the top of the pack. Having finished second in the league standings last season, the defending Hero ISL champions lead the Hero ISL standings this season with second-placed Mumbai City FC on their coattails with a game in hand.

ATK Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters FC, who qualified for the playoffs last season, have consolidated their place in the top in Hero ISL 2022-23, placed third and four respectively. Meanwhile Mumbai City FC, who missed out on the playoffs last season after winning the League Winners Shield and the Hero ISL title in 2020-21, make up the top four table for 2022 after an unbeaten start to the Hero ISL 2022-23 season.  

Most club goals in 2022 – Hyderbaad FC (53)

Goals win games and that’s exactly what has worked for Hyderabad FC. Marquez likes his team to play on the front foot with an attacking brand of football, which has helped the team pump in the goals upfront. While last season’s Golden Boot winner Bartholomew Ogbeche led from the front with 18 goals across 20 games, 13 different players had a hand in goalscoring contributions for HFC.

Fast forward to this season, Hyderabad FC have netted the second most goals this season (24) with nine different players being involved.   

Most wins in 2022 (excluding the Hero ISL 2021-22 final) – Hyderabad FC (17) 

One secret component to winning titles is consistency and no team has done it better than Hyderabad FC in 2022. Besides scoring the most goals last season, Marquez’s side secured the second highest number of wins (11) from 20 games during the league stage. This season, Hyderabad FC have won nine of their 12 games so far, highlighting their consistency.

Most clean sheets by a team in 2022 – ATK Mohun Bagan (10)

ATK Mohun Bagan boasted one of the strongest defences last season as they notched eight clean sheets during the league stage. However, despite parting ways with key players such as Amrinder Singh and Prabir Das coupled with injuries to their foreign centre-backs including Tiri and Florentin Pogba, teams have found it hard to score against the Mariners.

This season, ATK Mohun Bagan have conceded the third least goals, but have five clean sheets – more than any other team. It is one of the main reasons why they are third in the standings despite having to cope with multiple injuries this season.   

Most goals in 2022 – Bartholomew Ogbeche (13)

The phrase ‘form is temporary, but class is permanent’ would be apt to describe Ogbeche. The veteran striker spearheaded the team’s attack last season by winning the Golden Boot award, but has looked a shadow of his former self this season, having scored in just three of Hyderabad FC’s 12 games.

However, Marquez has continued to persist with Ogbeche in attack this season despite his rough patch this season. With three goals this season, the Nigerian remains HFC’s joint second-highest scorer this season. Ogbeche is currently four goals behind the league’s top goalscorers in Chennaiyin FC’s Abdenasser El Khayati and East Bengal FC’s Cleiton Silva. And going by what he has done in the past, it’s never a good bet to count Ogbeche out of the Golden Boot race.   

Most assists in 2022 – Greg Stewart (9)

Greg Stewart set the league on fire last season by guiding Jamshedpur FC to the League Shield and scooping the Hero of the League award after contributing 10 goals and as many assists. Stewart has netted just four goals this season at new club Mumbai City FC, but he has emerged as the creative spark for the Islanders with seven assists already this season. 

With plenty of lethal goalscorers in MCFC’s squad, Stewart has excelled in a new system under head coach Des Buckingham, unlocking opposition defences with his creativity and vision. Stewart has made a big impact in all of his side’s games and MCFC will be hoping he does more of the same as the season progresses. 

Most saves in 2022 – Mirshad Michu (68)

Michu has established himself as one of NorthEast United FC’s crucial players since last season, despite the Highlanders having endured a poor run of form. More often than not, it has been Michu who has saved NorthEast United FC the blushes on many occasions with his vital saves between the sticks.

Last season, Michu notched 45 saves in just 11 games and was ranked fourth in the list for the most saves. The three goalkeepers who finished above him played 20 games or more, showcasing how the custodian from Kerala has made a difference despite playing in fewer games. Things have not changed much this season despite Michu facing stiff competition from teammate Arindam Bhattacharja. The 28-year-old has registered the most saves (38), despite featuring in just seven games. The No 1 spot is Michu’s to lose and his presence will be vital again as NEUFC look to work their way up the table.