Hero Indian Super league 2015 came to an exhilarating end as Stiven Mendoza netted the 186th goal of the season to make Chennaiyin FC the new champions in Goa on Sunday. This year’s goals tally was much better than last season’s total of 129, a clear indicator of what a goal-laden league it had been this year. Over the course of a season that saw seven goals scored in a match by one side, two hat-tricks in the same game, eight hat-tricks overall and a record five straight wins for a side, Hero ISL 2015 had its stars who rose to the occasion and delivered for their side in the best possible way by scoring goals. Here we take a look at the top goal-scorers of Season 2. Stiven Mendoza (Chennaiyin FC, 13 goals)The leader at the helm of the Chennaiyin FC juggernaut, Stiven Mendoza’s influence on the Super Machans was unparalleled. His 13 goals and three assists accounted for half of Chennai’s overall goal tally. The Golden Boot winner scored the first hat-trick of the season against FC Goa and also became the first individual to score two hat-tricks in the same season when Chennai beat Kerala Blasters FC 5-1. Rightfully adjudged the Hero of the League, it was perhaps fitting that Chennai’s winner came off the deadly left-foot of the Super Machans’ pocket-dynamo.Iain Hume (Atlético de Kolkata, 11 goals)The only person to run Mendoza close for the Golden Boot award, Iain Hume had an even better season than last year when he was the Hero of the League after inspiring Kerala Blasters FC to the final. Hume improved his performance this season several notches by scoring 11 goals and providing four assists in Atlético de Kolkata’s journey to the semi-finals. The Canadian striker also matched Mendoza’s feat of scoring two hat-tricks in the same season after netting trebles against Mumbai City FC and FC Pune City. He also scored arguably the goal of the season against eventual champions Chennaiyin FC in the second leg of their semi-final clash.Reinaldo (FC Goa, 7 goals)One wonders what would have been the case had FC Goa had a fit Reinaldo available for the final. The powerful Brazilian striker displayed fine form over a start-stop season due to injury. Reinaldo made a total of 11 appearances for FC Goa this year and scored seven goals as well as provided four assists for the Gaurs in his outings. The 36-year-old, who scored a hat-trick against Kerala Blasters FC, was sorely missed by his team in the final.Sunil Chhetri (Mumbai City FC, 7 goals)The top-scoring Indian in the league, Sunil Chhetri lived up to his billing. Chettri became the first Indian to score a hat-trick in the Hero ISL after putting three past TP Rehenesh in NorthEast United FC’s goal post. The 31-year-old was one of Mumbai City FC’s most potent attacking threats in Season 2. He also provided an assist and was a mainstay in Mumbai’s starting-eleven.Antonio German (Kerala Blasters FC, 6 goals):One of the revelations of Season 2, Antonio German’s performances this season were nothing short of sensational. The 24-year-old forward came on as a substitute for an injured Sanchez Watt and made the most of his opportunities to become one of the first names on the team sheet in the second half of the league stage. German scored six goals and provided three assists in just nine games for Kerala Blasters FC. The fleet-footed forward became a firm fan-favourite on the back of his stellar displays and could have helped change Kerala’s fortunes had he been fit from the beginning of the season.Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC, 6 goals):Jeje Lalpekhlua was second on the list of most goals scored by Indians after a superb season in the blue of Chennaiyin FC. The 24-year-old put in some brilliant displays for the Super Machans this year and along with Mendoza and Bruno Pelissari formed a clinical attacking trinity for Chennai. Lalpekhlua scored six goals for Chennai this season and provided three assists. His goals came at crucial times, including his sole goal in a 1-0 win against FC Pune City that cemented a semi-final spot for the Super Machans.Chris Dagnall (Kerala Blasters FC, 6 goals)Chris Dagnall and German formed a deadly attacking duo that helped Kerala Blasters FC outscore FC Pune City, Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC and Delhi Dynamos FC in the league. Dagnall also scored six times for Kerala like German while providing one fewer assist (2) than his fellow Englishman. The 29-year-old also endeared himself to the fans of Kerala who fell in love with his all-action style of play.Arata Izumi (Atlético de Kolkata, 5 goals):The third Indian on the list of top-scorers, Arata Izumi could have scored more goals for Atlético de Kolkata had he not been unfit in the first half of the league stage. He, however, played a pivotal role in turning around ATK’s season when he came off the bench to score twice in Kolkata’s 3-2 win over Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi. Izumi scored a total of five goals and provided an assist for Kolkata in his 11 appearances this year.Nicolas Velez (NorthEast United FC, 5 goals):Nicolas Velez posed NorthEast United FC’s most lethal threat as the Highlanders finished narrowly outside the semi-final berths. Velez, however, was sensational for Cesar Farias’ men this season. The Italian forward’s dynamism and flair made him difficult for opposition defences to contain all season. Also, quite a few times he came on as a substitute and scored to help his team’s cause. Velez also provided an assist for the Highlanders.
