Resilience and fast-paced attacking football was the theme in Matchweek 8 of the Hero Indian Super League, also contributed by three new league records. The defending champions fell to their second loss in a row to give us a new No. 1 in Mumbai City FC, last year’s league winners were taken apart by a record-breaking Indian player, a couple of teams moved up the table, and Odisha FC continue to add more thrill to the season with second half heroics.
Mumbai City FC sets new record and take top spot as NorthEast United spiral further
Mumbai City FC are now the only unbeaten team this season, and have a two-point cushion in first place through their win against NorthEast United FC and through Hyderabad FC dropping points again.
Mumbai City FC’s goals tally this season is now 23, which is a new Hero ISL record after eight games- they broke FC Goa’s record of 22 goals after eight games in the 2018-19 season.
Naorem’s creative masterclass sets a new Hero ISL record for Indian players
VP Suhair scored the season’s fastest goal as he struck after just 90 seconds against Jamshedpur FC. Striker Cleiton Silva scored twice to go top of the charts for goalscorers this season with five.
All three East Bengal FC goals were assisted by Naorem Singh, the second and third in particular being tantalizing crosses between the defence and goalkeeper that showed great vision. He became the first Indian player to register three assists in a single game.
Impact substitutes come to the fore again as Odisha FC keep up their affinity for thrillers
Impact substitutes had won all three points for these two sides in their respective previous games before coming into this encounter, and Chennaiyin FC ended up on the wrong side of that thrill this time around. Drama ensued on the pitch as Chennaiyin FC were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the match to close 2-2. However, in the next minute, Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Nandhakumar Sekar, combined to find the back of the net in the 95th minute as frustration turned to elation for the Juggernauts for the second week in a row.
Up next: League-leaders Mumbai City FC will now have the burden of keeping first place as they host FC Goa this week. In the double-header on Saturday, Hyderabad FC will try to return to winning ways as they visit the Marina Arena to face Chennaiyin FC before Bengaluru FC face a tough challenge against ATK Mohun Bagan at home. Jamshedpur FC will have another big challenge as the Blasters return to action after a long break, while NorthEast United FC will hope Odisha FC’s penchant for leaving it late works in their favour.
