Mumbai City FC were held to a 3-3 draw against FC Goa in what was a nerve-racking encounter for both the sides. The Islanders took a two-goal lead after Hugo Boumous and Adam le Fondre found the back of the net. Just before halftime, new-signing Glan Martinsโ long-range goal though halved the deficit, and then in the second half Golden Boot winner Igor Angulo scored the equaliser. Rowllin Borgesโ header in second-half injury time gave the Islanders the lead. Just when the match seemed out of the Gaursโ reach, their super-sub Ishan Pandita scored the equalising goal to secure a point for his team.
Match 51: NorthEast United FC 2-4 Hyderabad FC on January 8
It was a closely fought contest between NorthEast United FC and Hyderabad FC but two late goals secured the three points for the Telangana-based outfit. Aridane Santana gave Hyderabad FC the lead three minutes into the game before Joel Chianese doubled their advantage. Two goals in quick succession just before the break by Federico Gallego and Benjamin Lambot however helped NorthEast United FC draw level. With the match equally poised for both the teams, super-sub Liston Colaco came off the bench to score a brace in the dying minutes of the game to ensure the three points for Hyderabad FC.
Match 50: Kerala Blasters FC 2-4 Odisha FC on January 7
Odisha FC secured their first win of the season after beating Kerala Blasters FC. After Jordan Murray opened the scoring for Kerala Blasters FC, a Jeakson Singh own goal restored parity before defender Steven Taylor put the Bhubaneswar-based club ahead three minutes before halftime. Diego Mauricio then scored a second-half brace to give Odisha FC a commanding three-goal advantage before Gary Hooperโs strike reduced the deficit to two goals.
Match 27: Bengaluru FC 4-2 Kerala Blasters FC on December 13
In what was a commanding performance by the Blues, it was actually the Kochi-based club that went ahead early in the game. Rahul KP gave Kerala Blasters FC the lead but the young forwardโs goal was cancelled out by Bengaluru FCโs Cleiton Silva a few minutes later. The Blues made the most of their chances in the second half, with Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado and Sunil Chhetri finding the back of the net in the space of 13 minutes. Jordan Murray scored the second goal for Kerala Blasters FC before the Chhetri goal.
A January addition to the SC East Bengal squad, Bright Enobakhare tops this list despite playing just 12 matches for the Red and Gold Brigade. The Nigerian forward completed 51 take-ons, and two of his three goals came through them. One of Brightโs best goals this season was against FC Goa, when the 23-year-old forward beat four defenders to open the scoring for his team in Match 49. The other was a similar run that gave his side the lead against Hyderabad FC in Match 91.
FC Goaโs Spanish midfielder Jorge Ortiz was one of their best players this season, and proved himself in whichever position he was deployed by head coach Juan Ferrando. He managed 46 take-ons for his team in 21 matches for the Gaurs. Ortiz finished the season with six goals and one assist to his name and played a huge role in FC Goaโs run to the semis where they lost to eventual champions Mumbai City FC.
Hugo Boumous was unable to replicate his form from last season, having played just 16 matches for the Islanders due to injury and suspension issues. The creative midfielder though completed 32 take-ons and his prowess was on display when he scored a brilliant goal against the Gaurs to open the scoring for his team in a 3-3 draw in Match 87. Boumous scored three goals and assisted seven this season.
The 23-year-old winger was a shadow of his former self this season but still managed to be one of Chennaiyin FCโs best players, with 30 take-ons for his team. The Marina Machans endured a barren spell for the large part of the season. Chhangte completed his campaign with four goals and one assist to his name.
Alberto Noguera was the main creative spark for the Gaurs and his efforts all through the season won him the DHL-Winning Pass-of-the-League award. The 31-year-old midfielder used his quick feet to good effect and was a constant threat to the opposition going forward, managing 25 take-ons for Juan Ferrandoโs men in the process. The Spaniard did well to create open spaces for his teammates in the final third and finished the season with eight assists and one goal.
22-year-old Asish Rai was among the first names in the Hyderabad FC team sheet this season before suffering injury towards the end of the league stage. The young fullback completed 24 take-ons in 18 matches for Manuel Marquezโs team. Rai provided two assists for Hyderabad FC, and recovered the ball a massive 121 times as well.
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