The past 12 months have been extremely eventful when it comes to Indian football, more particularly the Indian Super League. From a first-ever title triumph for Sunil Chhetri’s Bengaluru FC to a few big names signings, here is a look back at some of the major highlights from India’s premier competition that took place in 2019.

Maiden title for Bengaluru FC

Having made their ISL debut only in 2017, Bengaluru FC have made quite an impression on the Indian domestic circuit. They narrowly missed out on claiming the title in their debut season, losing a closely contested final 2-3 to Chennaiyin FC. It was looking like deja-vu for Sunil Chhetri’s side last season as well, as their final against FC Goa was meandering towards a goalless draw after extra time, until a looping, late header from defender Rahul Bheke sealed the first-ever title for the club at a packed Mumbai football arena. 

Habas returns

Antonio Habas was the talk of the town in the first season of the Indian Super League, as he spearheaded ATK to the title. His 3-4-3 system revolutionised Indian football, with his quick counter-attacking and compact defense lighting up Kolkata. After helping them to the title in the first season, Habas left ATK after the first season, and they have struggled ever since to live up to those lofty standards. 

The 62-year-old Spaniard, however, rejoined the club in May 2019, and there has been a spring in the step of ATK ever since. They have won all but one of their home games thus far in the league and seem destined to once again make the semifinals. 

Gyan joins NorthEast United 

He lit up the 2010 FIFA World Cup, guiding his country Ghana to the quarterfinals of the competition. He then excelled in the English Premier League with Sunderland, scoring away against Tottenham and Chelsea. Following that, he enjoyed successful stints at Rennes and Al Ain, and now striker Asamoah Gyan is lighting up the Indian Super League.

Read | Asamoah Gyan: An international phenomenon on Indian shores

The Ghanian forward signed for NorthEast United in September and has four goals to his name as of the New Year with his team still strongly in the hunt to make it to the semifinals. 

City Football Group takeover

A landmark moment for the Indian Super League and Indian football in general came last November when the City Football Group acquired a majority stake in Mumbai City FC. Since that takeover, Mumbai City FC have been on a five-match unbeaten run which includes three wins. Now with the winter transfer window in place, one can expect a few more high profile signings to grace Jorge Costa’s side. 

Read | Jorge Costa: A Jose Mourinho protégé tasked to keep Mumbai City FC rolling

FC Goa’s century of goals

Ever since Spanish coach Sergio Lobera took charge of FC Goa in 2017, they have been a delight to watch for most Indian fans. FC Goa’s free flowing, expansive style of football is the reason that almost all their home matches are packed to the rafters. They have been scoring goals for fun last season when they got to the finals, and have continued that attacking flair this campaign, getting to a century of goals under the Spanish gaffer this December. 

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @NEUtdFC

The Indian Super League saw action after a two-week gap for the international break and it was a scintillating watch. While it was not particularly a week filled with goals, only nine were scored in five games, some of them were off the top drawer as the scorers displayed incredible skill and improvisation to pull it off.

We take you through four of the best goals in gameweek five of the ISL:

SUNIL CHHETRI

Club: Bengaluru FC

Against: Kerala Blasters FC

As the commentator said when Chhetri scored the goal, the man needs no introduction. The captain of the Indian football team has been an inspirational figure since his debut in 2007 and this week in the ISL, he pulled off a great training ground move, though it was helped by some lackluster defending from Kerala Blasters.

Bengaluru won a corner early in the second half and Spaniard Dimas Delgado swung in a great ball into the centre of the box. Chhetri, who had stayed out of the D, ran in fully unmarked and timed his dive perfectly to head the ball into the far corner and out of the reach of the goalkeeper, all while avoiding a potentially nasty hit on the head from a desperate, last-minute stray tackle.

The goal showed Chhetri’s commitment to the cause, and most importantly, gave Bengaluru a narrow 1-0 victory in the south-Indian derby.

PANAGIOTIS TRIADIS

Club: NorthEast United FC

Against: Mumbai City FC

Last night’s game provided the thrilling goals football fans would have craved for and there were three of them. The first of those was scored by Greek winger, Triadis. He was gifted the ball on the left-wing and cut onto his right immediately, creating some space to get his shot away.

He already knew what he wanted to do and once the space opened up, Triadis let fly with his right foot, and the contact he made was sweet and powerful that the ball kept swerving away from Amrinder in the Mumbai City goal and nestled itself in the right-hand side corner, giving NorthEast the lead in spectacular fashion.

Read | How Mumbai City FC midfielders kept NorthEast United on toe

AMINE CHERMITI

Club: Mumbai City FC

Against: NorthEast United FC

Mumbai were reeling from Triadis�?early strike but they equalized in the 23rd minute as Tunisian, Amine Chermiti finished off a slick team move to tap home from a few yards out. But it was his second goal that deserved the plaudits.

Mumbai City grew into the game after that and took the lead nine minutes later. They won a free-kick just after the half-way line and Paulo Machado’s poor effort somehow made it as far as Chermiti, who improvised beautifully.

With his back to the goal, the striker quickly read the bounce and twisted his body to make contact at just the right time and send it past the keeper. It may not have looked all that great at first sight but the brilliant reflexes and presence of mind to divert the ball was indicative of his quality.

ASAMOAH GYAN

Club: NorthEast United FC

Against Mumbai City FC

This goal was another example of exemplary presence of mind and quality. Asamoah Gyan in his debut season in the ISL has already scored three goals in three games and this effort will probably be underrated.

Mumbai gave the ball away in the middle of the park and Martin Chaves quickly passed it upfront to the ever-aware Gyan. He took a couple of touches to keep it in his stride, and then jinked left to draw both centre-backs toward him.

Gyan did not take the shot but instead jinked right to his favourable foot, making some space in the process and rifled one into the top-left corner of the net with precision, leaving neither the defenders nor the keeper with any chance to equalize for NorthEast.

You can check out the three aforementioned goals here:

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @MumbaiCityFC

‘I didn't want to do anything apart from football.�?Few are brave enough to admit their love but Asamoah Gyan surely knows his preference as he mentioned back in 2012. One of the biggest facets of a glittering career is a blend of impeccable performances at both the international and club level which the Ghanaian national Asamoah Gyan seems to be doing with ease for the past 17 years.

Gyan is the new face of attack for NorthEast United in the Indian Super League this season and despite his age crawling up, the 34-year-old has been deadly, scoring two goals in the club’s first two matches of the season.

The NorthEast squad has nothing but admiration for their new forward with defenders like Rakesh Pradhan praising their teammate for his renowned experience across the globe.   

A striking phenomenon

Gyan made his international debut in 2003 as a 17-year-old, scoring his first goal against Somalia. Presently, the Ghanaian has ended up representing his beloved nation at three World Cups and is now the top scorer with 51 goals in 109 appearances for his nation. He is now embedded in the long list of World Cup players who have left their imprints in the ISL. 

His endeavours in Europe were commendable as a stint in the Serie A with Udinese and a two-year tenure with Rennes in Ligue 1 prepared him for the biggest challenge of his life, the Premier League in England. 

Read | How far have NorthEast United FC come after Eelco Schattorie?

The experience at Sunderland was rewarding both professionally and personally. Gyan scored 11 goals in 36 appearances before making his permanent move to Al Ain in the UAE Pro League back in 2012. It was at Al-Ain that Gyan blossomed into a rather mature striker and took on the responsibilities of scoring goals for his side.

His prolific career in United Arab Emirates gave him all the confidence that one would look for. At Al Ain, Gyan found the back consistently for the club and netted 95 goals in just 83 appearances for the club in the domestic league, averaging over one goal per match. What was even more astonishing that the lethal striker ended his tenure in UAE with 123 goals in 123 games in four years.

He had now established himself as a goal scoring mammoth who would rain fire if given even the slightest of chance. 

Knocking on the Indian shores

Gyan moved to the ISL club, NorthEast United on a free transfer after his contract expired in Turkey where his commitments made him to spend his time in Super Lig with a club named Kayserispor. The 34-year-old’s moves to India on the back of a massive reputation earned at the international level, especially in the UAE with Al Ain.

@ASAMOAH_GYAN3 speaks after his debut in the @IndSuperLeague against @bengalurufc pic.twitter.com/51l44JTuHh

�?NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) October 22, 2019

Read | ISL is back and here’s a look at what to expect this week

Although NorthEast has been undefeated in the ISL so far, there needs to be a spectacle of teamwork most probably lead by Gyan, courtesy of all his wisdom gathered over the years by his time spent on the pitch. Expect NorthEast United to rise and shine and definitely in time.

Featured image courtesy: Twitter/@NorthEast United FC

The Indian Super League will enter its fourth matchday, with teams looking to leave their disappointment in the past and look for new starts. ATK will take on Jamshedpur FC in the comfort of their home, while Goa FC will look to pile on the misery on a struggling Mumbai City FC.

Also, Europe’s premier football competition, the UEFA Champions League, returns this week with the clubs across the continent all but sure to make it count on matchday four. While the battle in Europe will be at its pinnacle, the fight for domestic glory doesn’t seem to take a back seat as Liverpool and Manchester City clash at Anfield on Sunday.

A jam-packed week will find its course and end with huge clashes between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in Germany while Italy will witness current league leaders, Juventus going toe to toe with AC Milan in Turin.

The fantasy managers of Nostragamus  will find themselves in a bubble of keeping track of high-octane fixtures. That said, here we bring you the five players you can pick to ease your woes.

SADIO MANE

Club: Liverpool

Match: Liverpool vs Manchester City

Sadio Mane’s goal in stoppage time against Aston Villa ensured that the Reds stay undefeated in the Premier League. The Senegalese striker has been at his lethal best, having scored six and assisted two in his last 11 appearances for the club. A visit of the defending champions will be tricky, given the point difference between the Citizens and the Merseysiders, but Mane’s goal scoring form has peaked at the most opportune moment.

Before that, Liverpool host KRC Genk at Anfield in the midweek Champions League fixture. Going into an all-important fixture on the weekend, this encounter could truly enhance Mane’s form.

Read | How Mane, Firmino and Salah wrought havoc on Europe

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

Club: Bayern Munich

Match: Bayern Munich vs Dortmund

The Polish striker couldn’t have envisioned a better start to his campaign with teams faltering at the sight of the ball on his feet. He is currently unstoppable, as the 31-year-old has found the back of the net on 14 occasions in 10 Bundesliga games. Given the fact that Bayern play Olympiacos at home in the Champions League in midweek, Robert Lewandowski will surely look to better his record of five goals in three encounters in Europe’s premier competition.

However, his biggest challenge lies over the weekend when Dortmund visit the Allianz Arena. Expect nothing but a flurry of goals from the world-class forward.

AFP / Aris Messinis

ARIDANE SANTANA

Club: Odisha FC

Match: Odisha FC v Kerala Blasters

Joining Odisha FC from Cultural Leonesa on loan, Aridane Santana is enjoying life in the Indian Super League. A key attacking player, Santana has struck three goals in three outings and has provided an invaluable assist to etch his name as a fan favourite.

Currently the leading goal scorer in the league, Santana’s priority remains to boost the chances of his team and make them an all-round squad by leading from the front. Odisha play Kerala Blasters this week and Santana will be pumped to continue his remarkable goal scoring form in the league.

Read | Aridane Santana: A journeyman finding solidity with Odisha FC

DAVID WILLIAMS

Club: Atletico de Kolkata (ATK)

Match: ATK vs Jamshedpur

A player with an impressive resume with Liverpool and Belgian club Club Brugge during his youth, the Australian-born David Williams will be looking to extend his goal tally. He is on par with Santana on the number of goals scored in the season so far and to leave him out of your fantasy squad would be nothing short of criminal.

Playing for two-time champions ATK, Williams is tipped to become one of the most prolific goal scorers in the league. 

ASAMOAH GYAN

Club: NorthEast United FC

Match: NorthEast United FC vs Hyderabad FC

The former captain of the Ghana national football team, Asamoah Gyan has posted an impressive start to the season with two goals in his first three encounters. Gyan has already shone with clubs around the world playing in Italy and England but an opportunity to play in the Indian Super League has been even more rewarding for the NorthEast United striker.

Northeast United have drawn two of their three matches and are yet to lose a game. Time for the experienced striker to propel them to a resounding victory when they come up against Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / NEUtdFC

Unlike the previous years, the Hero Indian Super League teams have been quite insightful in terms of transfers this season. The franchises have opted for smart signings rather than going for marquee ones.

And this approach has made the league all the more interesting. Of course, there are several other reasons to be excited for the sixth edition of the tournament but these five players will give you an additional incentive:

1. Sergio Castel (Jamshedpur FC)

Jamshedpur FC have acquired some of the best young talents for the 2019/20 season. And amongst the lot is a certain 24-year-old loanee from the Atletico Madrid B team, Sergio Castel. Castel, who spent his early years with Barcelona-based side UE Rubi, has taken to the league like a fish to water, even scoring the winner during his team’s 2-1 win over Odisha FC in the league opener.

Castel is expected to lead the line for his team this season and a lot will depend on how he performs.

Read | Five Indian youngsters to watch for in ISL this season

2. Bartholomew Ogbeche (Kerala Blasters)

The former Paris Saint-Germain striker has been a revelation in the league since making his debut with NorthEast United in 2018. Riding on the back of his sensational performances, NorthEast reached the semi-finals for the first time in their history.

And the 35-year-old Nigerian followed his coach Eelco Schattorie as he switched alliances to the Kerala Blasters. His experience of playing at the top level proved handy on October 20, as he scored a brace to help Kerala to a 2-1 victory over ATK.

3. Asamoah Gyan (NorthEast United)

Gyan brings along a wealth of experience to the relatively young Indian Super League. Having represented the likes of Udinese, Rennes and Sunderland in the past, the 33-year-old Ghanaian promises goals, goals and more goals; something NorthEast would have missed with Ogbeche’s departure to Kerala.

A striker with a potent eye for goal, expect him to haunt defenders as the season progresses.

Read | Why Bengaluru FC won’t retain their ISL crown this season

4. Roy Krishna (ATK)

The captain of Fiji national team, Roy Krishna turned a lot of heads as soon as his signing was announced by ATK. The 32-year-old striker has spent his entire career playing in either New Zealand’s domestic league or Australia’s A-League.

A newcomer to the country, Krishna will lead the charge this season and will be in hunt for the golden boot against the likes of Sunil Chhetri and others.

5. Amine Chermiti (Mumbai City FC)

Tunisia’s Amine Chermiti has taken no time in asserting his authority in the league, having scored the winner during Mumbai City FC’s 1-0 won over Kerala Blasters on Thursday. Just like a few of the aforementioned names, the 31-year-old has represented some of the best European clubs during his career.

In a team which retained the likes of Modou Sougou and Paulo Machado, expect Chermiti to wreak havoc this season.

Read | Why this year’s ISL will be the biggest ever in history

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dibyangshu Sarkar