The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022–23 season has been nothing short of an exhilarating roller coaster ride so far. The season, which has already seen a vast array of records set and broken, will produce more drama as it is set to enter the playoffs.
With unrivaled dominance throughout the season, Mumbai City FC won the
league and a playoff spot, while Hyderabad FC, Kerala Blasters FC, and Bengaluru FC also advanced to the playoffs. The final top-six spot was contested between FC Goa and Odisha FC, and the fight was close. Both teams lost their last league games, but Odisha secured the final slot with 30 points over Goa, who had 27 points following their loss to Bengaluru.
Bengaluru FC sink FC Goa’s ISL Playoff hopes with a 3-1 win
Bengaluru FC defeated FC Goa 3-1 on Thursday in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, earning their eighth straight victory and a top- four finish in the league standings. The Blues eliminated the Gaurs’ chances of making the playoffs and ensured Odisha FC’s participation as the sixth and final team in the playoffs with two goals from Sivasakthi Narayanan and a stunner from Pablo Perez.
The hosts secured three straight corners in the first five minutes of the game, and the third one resulted in a goal. Roshan Naorem curled the ball into the yard a third time, and Narayanan headed it in from close range to give the hosts the lead right away.
Three minutes after the half-hour mark, Goa’s Sadaoui was given space on the left wing to whip in an inch-perfect cross that Iker Guarrotxena tucked into the bottom right corner, bringing the score back to 1-1.
Bengaluru FC had an opportunity to counter in the 78th minute as FC Goa worked hard to gain the advantage. Suresh Wangjam’s opening shot was parried right into Narayanan’s path, who slammed the ball into an empty net with ease to give a 2-1 lead to the host.
Bengaluru FC took total control of the game nine minutes before the whistle blew and ended all doubt about the outcome. After a struggle in the middle of the field, Krishna received the ball and passed it to Pablo Perez on the left side of the box. The substitute opened himself up and curled his shot into the top corner to put an end to FC Goa’s playoff hopes.
All teams qualified for the ISL playoffs
Mumbai City FC maintained their unbeaten streak up till winning the League Winners Shield, but ultimately suffered losses to Bengaluru FC and East Bengal, preventing them from earning the undefeated record.
Hyderabad FC, the defending champions, came in second place during the league stage. Throughout the majority of the season, Manolo Marquez’s team chased Mumbai but had to settle for second place, which provides them an edge in the knockout round. Bengaluru FC’s stunning turnaround, which was completed by a nine-game winning streak, allowed them to move up to third place in the league and earn the right to host a knockout playoff match.
Due to their inconsistent play, ATK Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters appeared to have a shot at upsetting Hyderabad and Mumbai’s supremacy but instead had to settle for fourth and fifth position respectively. Odisha FC overcame a downturn in the middle of the season to get to the playoffs for the first time. FC Goa just had itself to blame for losing to Bengaluru in its final game, where a victory would have allowed them to advance further in the playoffs.
When things went their way, East Bengal and Chennaiyin FC appeared to be formidable forces but they fell far short of the playoff slots after posting disastrous performances in the first phase of the league matches. Jamshedpur FC and East Bengal FC were next in the standings with 19 points. With five points and just one victory, NorthEast United FC finished the ISL season in the last place.