Mumbai, September 24: The second matchweek of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season wrapped up with Mohun Bagan Super Giant securing their first win of the campaign in their 3-2 victory against NorthEast United FC in Kolkata on Monday. Twenty one goals across six matches, and a single draw meant that Game Week 2 had plenty of late drama that kept the fans on the edge of their seats carrying on from the excitement of MW 1. The season so far has already witnessed 13 goals after the 85th minute mark including as many as eight injury-time strikes.
Without further ado, here’s a look at the top three takeaways from Matchweek 2 of ISL 2024-25.
1. New-look top-three, 5 unbeaten teams
Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, and Punjab FC won their respective fixtures last week and now occupy the top-three spots in the standings on the back of consecutive victories to kick off the campaign.
Interestingly, none of these sides had made it to the playoffs last season, giving early signals of a renewed competition in the league this time around.
Whilst the Blues have now kept consecutive clean sheets for the first time since March 2023, Jamshedpur FC have won their first two games of the season for only the second time in the ISL, first doing so in 2019-20.
Punjab FC’s Panagiotis Dilmperis helped them win back-to-back home games for the first time in the competition.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Chennaiyin FC also remain unbeaten so far.
2. Super Subs play massive role
Jason Cummings’ winner against the Highlanders after coming off the bench was the 11th occasion when a substitute found the back of the net in ISL 2024-25.
Thaer Krouma (vs MBSG), Roy Krishna (vs Chennaiyin FC), Luka Majcen (vs KBFC), Jesus Jimenez (vs PFC), Alaeddine Ajaraie (vs Mohammedan SC), Jordan Murray (vs FC Goa), Sunil Chhetri (vs Hyderabad FC), Leon Augustine (vs Odisha FC), Vishnu Puthiya (vs KBFC), and Kwame Peprah (vs EBFC) are the other players to have played impactful cameos so far.
This fact highlights the increased bench strength of several teams, ensuring that games continue to be competitive late into the contests as well.
3. Play till the final whistle
Five out of the 12 games in ISL 2024-25 so far have seen teams coming from behind to register victories. Jamshedpur FC did so against FC Goa and Mumbai City FC, winning 6 points from a losing position, whereas Kerala Blasters FC, Chennaiyin FC, and Mohun Bagan Super Giant have triumphed over East Bengal FC, Odisha FC, and NorthEast United FC respectively in similar fashion.
Jordan Murray has netted twice for the Red Miners in this process, one a piece across two games, whereas Farukh Choudhary has scored two goals – a brace against the Juggernauts.
ISL Fantasy
Record: Rahul Bheke (17 points in MW 2) has scored the most number points for a defender in a single matchweek.
Team of the Week – MW 2
Goalkeeper: Laxmikant Kattimani (FC Goa)
Defenders: Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan Super Giant), Stephen Eze (Jamshedpur FC), Rahul Bheke (Bengaluru FC), Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak (Mohammedan SC)
Midfielders: Noah Sadaoui (FC Goa), Javi Hernandez (Jamshedpur FC), Alberto Noguera (Bengaluru FC), Alaeddine Ajaraie (NorthEast United FC)
Strikers: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC), Franca (Mohammedan SC)
Indian Super League is being streamed live free on JioCinema (English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam) and telecasted live on Sports 18 — 3 (English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam), Asianet Plus (Malayalam). Additionally Sports 18 — 1, Sports 18 — 2 and Sports 18 — Khel is also telecasting select ISL matches LIVE.
