ISL 2024: Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Mohammedan SC; What To Expect
The Kolkata Derby is all set to create quite a buzz in the stadium on Saturday, 5 October, 2024 with Mohun Bagan Super Giant colliding head-on with Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season at Salt Lake Stadium. What’s In Store? With four points from the first three matches, the team that emerges victorious from this encounter will take a well-timed psychological advantage as this matches up the fourth and final one before the international break. Mohun Bagan’s Plan Of Action It is one of the biggest games in derby history since it shall be the first-ever encounter of these two sides in the league. Mohun Bagan sports an excellent track record against new starters, seven victories in eleven matches and shall look to do just that. Mariners head coach Jose Molina admits his side has shown some weaker streaks on defence lines where it has suffered three goals in as many games. He puts forth the requirement for improvement from both attack and the back end. Mohammedan SC’s Momentum The win over Chennaiyin FC made Mohammedan SC the fifth team to achieve a first away win in ISL history. Key Players Mohammedan SC’s Mirjalol Kasimov and Mohun Bagan’s Dimitrios Petratos are some of the key men to watch out for. Kasimov is on the roll in winning fouls, which will create set-piece opportunities, and Dimitrios Petratos is one appearance away from reaching the landmark 50th game. Both teams promise and strive and this is not going to be an ordinary Kolkata football encounter-they are going to be attacking and not half-hearted. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ISL 2024: Jamshedpur FC vs East Bengal FC; What To Expect
It is going to be an absolute cracker of an Indian Super League (ISL) 2024 contest as Jamshedpur FC host East Bengal FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on 5th October, 2024 at 5 PM IST. Agenda For Jamshedpur FC Presently standing third in the table with six points from three matches, Jamshedpur FC will look to gain out from the loss they suffered in the last game against Odisha FC. East Bengal FC Miseries East Bengal FC are enduring a bad patch at the bottom of the table with three successive defeats under caretaker coach Bino George. The Red & Gold Brigade will be looking to correct their away record, where they have won only two matches out of their last ten such encounters. However, they had won in Jamshedpur recently when they defeated the former 3-1 in November 2022. Head-To-Head Jamshedpur FC and East Bengal FC have met each other eight times in the ISL. On three occasions, the Men of Steel won the match. On two occasions, East Bengal have triumphed. Three ended in a stalemate. Players To Watch East Bengal’s Cleiton Silva, with three goals the highest tally in this match and Jamshedpur’s Jordan Murray, who has held over ten duels in his last six matches. Preparing For Next Match These are two teams looking to make their mark in the early stages of ISL season. As both the teams look forward to gaining some momentum, this is sure to be a critical clash. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ISL 2024: Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters FC; What To Expect
The upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 encounter at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, will see Odisha FC clash with Kerala Blasters FC on Thursday, October 3, at 7:30 pm IST. ISL 2024 Season so Far Both teams had so far made an uneven performance in the season with one win each from three opening games. Odisha FC had coined a name for the team-the Juggernauts, managed to win its first game of the season by beating Jamshedpur FC 2-1. Kerala Blasters FC could only play out a 1-1 draw against NorthEast United FC in its last encounter. Odisha FC’s Dominance Over Kerala Blasters FC With Sergio Lobera at the helm, Odisha FC will take on Kerala Blasters with an impressive winning record. Having won nine of their last eleven ISL encounters against Kerala Blasters, his success rate stands at a whopping 82%. That’s the highest success rate he has achieved against any team for whom he has played at least five times in the tournament. Odisha FC need to not take this fact lightly as they try to consolidate on their win going forward and move up the ladder. Agenda For Kerala Blasters FC Under head coach Mikael Stahre, Kerala Blasters FC will be hoping to improve their dismal form away from home. The team has managed to win just once in eight matches played away from home this calendar year and have conceded in all of those matches. Stahre is more than happy with how his team has been progressing, though he’s not entirely satisfied with the way things have been going for his team. Kerala Blasters have shown glimpses of solidity but haven’t yet gotten into a rhythm at full steam. Head to Head Kerala Blasters FC lead with nine wins in the 23 games played between these two, while Odisha FC won seven and the other seven matches were drawn. Key Players Odisha FC has Mourtada Fall, who recently became part of history, as he is the player who equalled the ISL record for the maximum headed goals scored in a single season with 18 headed goals. Kerala Blasters will have the services of Noah Sadaoui, the player who scored four goals against Odisha-his career best against any team. As the rivalry between Odisha FC and Kerala Blaster resume, fans anticipate an action packed clash. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ISL 2024: Bengaluru FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant; What To Expect
This Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 7:30 PM IST, Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru will host a mega-showdown as Bengaluru FC will lock horns with Mohun Bagan Super Giant in an Indian Super League (ISL) game that promises more twists than a last-minute penalty shootout. Well this is what you can expect from today’s clash at ISL 2024. Bengaluru FC Under head coach Gerard Zaragoza, Bengaluru FC have turned their home ground into a fortress. They had suffered only one defeat from the last nine games and that too an unbelievable 0-4 defeat at the hands of Mohun Bagan last season. Two successive wins against East Bengal and Hyderabad FC finally set their camp enthused to avenge that humbling experience. Mohun Bagan Super Giant The Mariners are just the goal-scoring machinery, scoring 43 open play goals since last season and leaving Bengaluru FC’s 18 goals far behind. This combination of Mohun Bagan is going to entertain the football fans with their attacking play. Tactical Showdown Zaragoza knows that strength in depth is the key, and fresh legs could make a difference in the final minutes. In contrast, Jose Molina is charging his team to intensify their good run of 3-1 win over NorthEast United. Head-to-Head Historically, Mohun Bagan Super Giant has had the better of six of nine recorded encounters. Bengaluru FC will look to turn things on their head and prove that this season is their season! Players To Watch Out For On Bengaluru’s side, watch for Rahul Bheke, who had 102 touches in the last ISL game and Sunil Chhetri with four penalties this season. For Mohun Bagan, Jason Cummings needs one more goal to reach his tenth goal this season, while Dimitri Petratos looks to better contribute to Roy Krishna’s. So keep your jerseys, popcorn and seats ready, for tonight is going to be an epic showdown in ISL 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ISL 2024-25: Team Strengths, Concerns And Key Players – Part 2
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season is back and better than ever! Mark September 13th, 2024 as the grand return of the tournament, hailed as a spectacle of footballing fireworks. We are set for a rollercoaster of thrilling matches with rivalries that are destined to run hot. Here’s part 2 of the team previews at the ISL 2024-25 season. Punjab FC Imagine a team which reached the Durand Cup quarters with the zeal of a lion’s cub, in the hands of a coach who probably dreams in ancient Greek-the Greek maestro Panagiotis Dilmperis-managed Punjab FC saga. Luka Majcen, last season’s goal machine, will again be hunting for goals, however with the squad’s firepower looking like a damp squib, do not be surprised if they turn out to be the league’s underdogs. East Bengal Cue the dramatic music, as East Bengal is back for revenge, with Carles Cuadrat’s watchful eyes guiding the charge for glory, aided by none other than Golden Boot-wielding Dimitrios Diamantakos. But hang on-what’s this? Anwar Ali’s four-month ban is the ultimate cliffhanger this season. Will East Bengal’s defense fall apart like a deck of cards, or can they avoid the drama and make their way into the playoffs? Stay tuned! Bengaluru FC The Bengaluru FC makeover is the stuff of football fairy tales. In come Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Rahul Bheke, the new knights in shining armor. With the squad resembling it has just come off the sets of some sci-fi reboot, the big question remains as to whether Diaz-Sunil Chhetri can shape this attacking woes into an epic comeback. Playoffs? Maybe. ISL Shield? That’s the stuff of legends. Jamshedpur FC Meet the coach, Khalid Jamil, the football version of Jack, who conjured magic with a handful of beans! With Javi Hernandez in their lineup, Jamshedpur FC’s season is going to be quite an adventure. But beware-the squad depth looks as deep as a puddle of water during the monsoon season. They will be fighting tooth and nail for that playoff spot, but will their charm and tenaciousness be good enough to see them on top? Hyderabad FC The season of Hyderabad FC is shaping up to be a high-stakes drama with new faces such as Saviour Gama and Devendra Murgaonkar. This squad still appears to be finding its lines and choreography and making it into the playoffs may be like winning a wild card entry on some game show. However, of course, each blockbuster has an underdog story. Mohammedan SC Mohammedan SC are in for a rollercoaster ride under the stewardship of Andrey Chernyshov. With a squad that has undergone a bit of reconstruction, they hope to avoid the dreaded basement position. Will they turn out to be the dark horse or become casualties of the storm this season? We will get to know about it soon. Season’s Verdict: Brace for Impact As the second set of the ISL 2024-25 team previews have arrived-new dramas and thrills are going to run riot this season. With just a few new faces in the coaching box and some of India’s most storied clubs coming into the fray, each of these teams brings its own unique mix of strengths, weaknesses and star players. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ISL 2024-25: Team Strengths, Concerns And Key Players – Part 1
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season is here and it’s already looking crazier than a last-minute VAR call. The teams are locked in and the fans are ready to back them. Here’s part 1 of the team previews at the ISL 2024-25 season. Mohun Bagan Super Giant Once again, they are the Goliaths everyone wants to topple. The new mastermind behind their charge? None other than Jose Molina, the coach who already has an ISL crown on his CV. With a dream team featuring dynamo Dimi Petratos and the ever-dangerous Greg Stewart, Mohun Bagan look primed to run the show. However their stunning defeat in the Durand Cup final reveals they have chinks in their armor. Do they sail through or fall on star power? Mumbai City FC If Mohun Bagan are Goliath, then Mumbai City FC are David with a sling named Lallianzuala Chhangte. The defending ISL champions lost big names like Apuia, however with the deadly combination of Jon Toral and Nikos Karelis, this ship is still cruising smoothly under Petr Kratky. Whether they would retain the silverware in the City of Dreams or get it slipped off just like that soap bar because of wet hands, the question remains. FC Goa Here comes FC Goa, led by the man who has “building champions” on his business card—Manolo Marquez. With Armando Sadiku leading the charge at the front and Iker Guarrotxena coming back for more, Goa’s plan is pretty simple: crash the top four party. With key departures looming as some unwanted referee, it is going to be one heck of a hustle. Odisha FC Odisha FC have pretty much put together an FC Goa reunion tour, bringing Sergio Lobera back to his old squad. With experience not only comes wisdom, but also the dreaded enemy of all athletes—aging legs. Will it be a case of Lobera being able to roll back the years and lead Odisha to glory, or will Father Time strike again? Kerala Blasters Let’s talk Kerala Blasters, where Adrian Luna is literally carrying the team on his back and new coach Mikael Stahre is praying that back doesn’t break. The talent of Luna is a feast to watch for the football fans, unless he gets more to support him, Kerala may struggle to keep pace with the big guns. Chennaiyin FC Chennaiyin FC is abuzz with fresh hope as Owen Coyle returns to the hot seat of managers with big plans of restoring the old glory of the club. Having experience from previously guiding the team to success, Coyle’s experience would come in handy to revive Chennaiyin this season. The team has, however, had a major rebuild this offseason. It could be that just the right mix of fresh youthful talent and more experienced players will yield the perfect blend to fashion a strong playoff push and reinvigorate their winning ways. NorthEast United The appointment of a new coach, Juan Benali, is going to herald a new era in their pursuit of excellence. After NorthEast United had to confront those lean spells for almost a season or so, with the innovative tactics of Benali, everything needs a change. NorthEast United hope that their underdog spirit may bring some surprises to the league this season. Thanks to key new signings and restructuring, they are the dark horses of the season that might well crash into the elite party, break the established pecking order and pull off an unforgettable playoff run. So, get the popcorn ready, as this ISL 2024-25 season is going to be a mouthful of goals, drama and magical football. Shall we see dominance from the Big Three or some upsets? The only sure thing is that it will be quite a ride. Stay tuned for part 2 of the team previews at the ISL 2024-25 season. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ISL 2024-25: Who Can Take Over The Throne?
The wait is over as the Indian Super League (ISL) is back into action. The roast, after official confirmation from AIFF, will begin on 13 September 2024 with a high voltage clash between the reigning champions Mumbai City FC and last year’s runner-up Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. But hang on, with Mohammedan Sporting in the fray now, things just got spicier. So, who’s got the chops to wear the crown this time around? Well, here are the top 3 contenders that could rule the roost this season. Mohun Bagan Super Giant Well, the appetite wasn’t quite full for Mohun Bagan after winning the ISL Shield last season, as they wanted the whole buffet, which Mumbai City FC managed to snatch away in the final by beating them 3-1, thus leaving the Mariners with nothing but a silver platter. Now, under the new boss Jose Francisco Molina, the Super Giants are back, hungrier than ever. Can they turn the tables and grab their second ISL title? Keep your eyes peeled! Mumbai City FC Last season, Mumbai City FC wasn’t just about winning; they ruled with iron fists. A 3-1 victory over Mohun Bagan in the final was a tactical masterclass from Petr Kratky. They have added firepower this time, with the likes of Brandon Fernandes as their newest recruits to keep the engines purring. Can the defending champions make it three successive ISL titles? Spoiler alert: They are not slowing down. FC Goa FC Goa’s run last season was like watching an underdog movie-12 games unbeaten, flying! But, alas, a few stumbles cost them the Shield. With Manolo Marquez now at the helm of affairs and key players moving on, the work is cut out for the Gaurs. Will they defy the odds and take the title this year? Well, only time will tell, but definitely they have got some tricks up their sleeves! The ISL 2024-25 season will be a true explosion for the battle of the throne. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ISL 2024-25: 5 Fresh-Faces Ready To Set The Field Ablaze
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season gets underway on 13 September, 2024 and it’s not just going to be all about the seasoned pros hogging the limelight. This season, a troop of bright youngsters is primed to take centerstage. Here’s a rundown of the top five young future stars who are about to set the turf ablaze: David Lalhlansanga (East Bengal FC) Meet David Lalhlansanga, the striker who’s hungrier for goals than a teenager on a midnight snacking spree. Having scored 21 goals and clinched the Golden Boot with Mohammedan SC, Lalhlansanga has joined East Bengal FC. While big names like Cleiton Silva and Dimitrios Diamantakos will no doubt command a starting spot in the squad, Lalhlansanga will be worth his weight in gold once he gets his shot. Expect fireworks. Mohammed Sanan K (Jamshedpur FC) Mohammed Sanan is like a live wire on the pitch, quick and so unpredictable-one can never afford to ignore him. The 20-year-old left winger had oodles of flair and creativity last season. Mohammed Sanan has already netted two in the Durand Cup and if his maiden ISL season was an example, this season may see him break through as a household name. Tekcham Abhishek Singh (Punjab FC) The teenage dynamo, Tekcham Abhishek Singh has the endurance of a marathon runner and the speed of something quicker than a cheetah. Known for his runs from right-back, Singh always gets the fans’ hearts racing. This season, though, he seems all set to play a much larger role. The teenager’s talent is expected to explode into performances that will catapult Punjab FC up the table. Vibin Mohanan (Kerala Blasters FC) Vibin Mohanan is the Kerala Blasters’ very own midfield magician. 21 years into his life, Mohanan has already sent fans into a tizzy with his ball control and spot-on passing. With Jeakson Singh off to East Bengal, Vibin Mohanan is set to become the midfield maestro Kerala fans will rally behind. There is much one can expect from this dazzling young talent. Chingambam Shivaldo Singh (Bengaluru FC) Chingambam Shivaldo Singh is the ultimate multitasker-once a defender, now a right winger with a penchant for scoring. The 20-year-old did make a decent debut last season, with one goal and an assist and is all set to make the right flank his playground this season. Watch out for Shivaldo adding some sparkle to Bengaluru’s attack. Get ready for these shining stars to take to the pitch in the ISL 2024-25 season. Buckle up, as this season is going to be a thrilling rollercoaster of emerging talent and unforgettable moments. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye