To say that Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 has been an exhibition of action-packed high-octane football would be an understatement at the very least, given that the ongoing edition has had the best start to a season in terms of goal-return. After 36 matches, the back of the net has bulged a whopping 96 times – which is the maximum number of goals scored in a single season at this stage. Hero ISL 2015 had seen 93 goals scored after three dozen games in the campaign, while 74 and 73 goals were scored after 36 games in Hero ISL 2014 and 2016 respectively.

A variety of factors have contributed to the landslide of goals witnessed in the first month and a half of the league. Starting from the addition of new clubs to the increased recuperation period for teams after matches, the fact that the new and longer format has helped the league reach new heights is undeniable. Upon closer inspection, an interesting development that arises and one that has been a recurrent theme this season is the number of goals which have been scored in the second half of matches.

The current season has witnessed maximum goals scored in the second period with 66 of the 96 goals coming after the restart. In fact, the final match of 2017 saw all four strikes in Bengaluru FC’s 3-1 win over Kerala Blasters FC coming in the second half. Three of those four goals were scored in the 90th minute or beyond, further emphasizing the nature of the league this season, where matches seem to open up in the dying minutes.

The most prolific team in the second half this season has been Bengaluru, who’ve netted 15 of their 17 goals in the second period. They are followed by FC Pune City, who’ve scored 11 times after the restart and FC Goa, who have 10 second-half goals to their name. Furthermore, some sides have even failed to score in the first half so far. All of ATK’s and Delhi’s five goals have come in the second half, while Jamshedpur have also managed both their goals in the second period.

Only Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC have a better scoring record in the first period than the second. The Blasters have scored four of their six goals in the first half, while both of NorthEast’s goals thus far have come in the opening period. Another fascinating revelation while examining the second half goals this season under a microscope is that 37 of the 66 goals have come in the 75th minute or beyond, when teams get increasingly desperate in search of a result in the closing stages of a contest.

Bengaluru and Chennaiyin FC have both scored on seven occasions during this time period and FC Pune City have found the back of the net six times during the same duration of the game. As the season progresses we can thus, expect more of the same as the 10 clubs battle it out for the top four places. But for the likes of Kerala and NorthEast – who lie in eight and ninth spot at present – getting on the scoresheet in the second half is of utmost importance.

Scoring is always the most difficult thing to do in football and if anything, scoring in the second half is probably even more difficult considering the sides maybe chasing games and trying to get back into the encounter. However, most sides this season seem to have passed this test of character by scoring in abundance as the pressure to secure a positive result for their team increases with the clock ticking towards 90.

But then again, some sides seem to be lagging behind in this department and their position is rightfully reflected in the points table. It’s not all bad though with much of the season still left to play, but to have any chance of making the top four, the teams must go through the gears in the second half of matches in keeping with the nature of the competition this campaign.