IPL 2023
Bengaluru FC got its sweet revenge over Chennaiyin FC at the home of the 2015 champion on Tuesday night. <br> The away side was on the money from the get go, with its forward line of Miku, Sunil Chhetri and Udanta Singh causing all sorts of problems inside the opposition box. Miku and Chhetri took their combined tally of goals to 20 for the season on the night with each netting once. <br> Chennaiyin for its troubles had its skipper Henrique Sereno sent off for a getting a hold of Bengaluru skipper Chhetri on the break.
FC Pune City had a make or break week with tough away assignments starting with the wounded NorthEast United. <br> The Pune defence, led by goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, staved off any potential threat from the home side. With 86 minutes on the clock, Pune City's Marko Stankovic released the dangerous Marcelinho, who broke away from his markers to slot the ball into the back of the net. <br> It was a thorough smash and grab effort from the Stallions.
Last season's finalists, ATK and Kerala Blasters have both had an average season so far with neither looking likely to make the playoffs this time. <br> The eighth placed ATK did its bid to ensure that Blasters wouldn't have any chance of making the top 4 by pegging the opposition twice to force a draw. <br> Blasters, without striker Iain Hume until the end of the season, took the lead twice in the match through Gudjon Baldvinsson and Dimitar Berbatov. The defending champion responded through strikes from Englishmen Ryan Taylor and Tom Thorpe. <br>
It may have been Bengaluru's third game in seven days but the side displayed no signs of fatigue as it comprehensively dispatched the threat of FC Goa. In the process, the ISL newcomer became the first side to book a playoff berth. <br> Juggling between ISL and AFC Cup commitments, coach Albert Roca rested Erik Paartalu and top scorer Miku for the tie but the makeshift team was hardly troubled by the free scoring Goan side. <br> Edu Garcia opened the scoring in the first half before Dimas Delgado capped off a man-of-the-match display to score his first goal of the season in the 82nd minute. <br> Goa now sits sixth on the table having taken only a point from its last three matches.
Jamshedpur FC may not play the most exciting brand of football but the latest addition to ISL has surprised all comers with its dogged determination to churn out results. <br> After a goalless first half, Wellington Priori bagged all three points for the Steve Coppell coached side with a piece of brilliance. The midfielder controlled a long throw in inside the box with his thigh before unleashing a stunning overhead kick into the top corner of the goal. <br> The strike took many by surprise but they may not feel the same way when the underdog finds its way into the last leg of the season. <br>
Pune City had a perfect week with yet another clinical away display at the home of Mumbai City. The Stallions defence was helped by the host's wasteful finishing with Balwant Singh, Everton Santos and Thiago Santos. <br> The away side took the lead through a stroke of fortune - an own goal from Raju Gaikwad in the 18 mnute. Marcelinho once again struck late, when he found himself in acres of space with his swift movement to complete the double over Mumbai City. <BR> With the win, Pune City ended the week in second position with 28 points followed by Jamshedpur.
Two set pieces defined the game. A penalty for the host and a free-kick for the top four chasing Chennaiyin. <br> Delhi, languishing at the bottom of the table, was nine minutes away from completing back-to-back home wins over Bengaluru and Chennaiyin before Mailson Alves spolied the party. Mailson, scored his second of the season and Chennaiyin's 100th goal in ISL history, when he rose high to head home the equaliser. <br> Chennaiyin had ample opportunities to take home all three points but it came up against an inspired Xabi Irureta in between the sticks.
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