Day 25, 26, 27, Match 22, 23, 24..

Due to some severe technical faults which we can not reveal (power cut, system crashed and weak connectivity...Uh!), we have not been able to post regularly. The following article contains everything that you have missed because of us and will bring you right on track.

Courtesy:ISL

• Delhi has played 6 matches in the season out of which they won one, lost one and the rest were draws. Similarly, Mumbai stepped on the turf 5 times as well with 2 wins while the rest were defeats.
• Teams at the bottom of the table met as Kerala invited Goa for their first home match. Pires comeback game after the ban.
• Pune welcomed Jermaine Pennant. return of Fikru and Habas from ban.

Mumbai City FC (1) -  Delhi Dynamos FC (0)

Courtesy:ISL

With Del Piero on bench (yet again) and Mumbai's Frenchman, Anelka, on field, the stars of the visitors already looked weak. Delhi lost the previous match due to lack of possession but this wasn't the story this time. With the Kick Off, Mumbai had to face an early substitution of their captain, Nabi, due to an injury that we believe could have been well avoided. Shouvik made a strong challenge on Stohanzl who later on attempted to score from the half line but the ball went off target. Paul, with a commendable dive, saved the home team from Shouvik's curling ball. With Santos and Junker upfront, Delhi broke into a counter attack but failed to scored. There were some good attempts from Steven, Junker, Anelka and Moritz but the score remained 0 for all at the end of the first half. In the second half, the over ambitious Peter preferred to take the chance himself when Anelka and Moritz were right in front of him. Moritz got booked for revolting against referee's decision by throwing the ball on ground. The visitors too received a card as Aries tackled Anelka. Subhash broke into a counter attack and delivered a perfect pass to Anelka which the forward converted into a goal. Here we have to say that this was the most beautiful pass of the League so far! Piero came in for Junker at 62'. Del Piero took the free kick that Paul saved. The game ended with Mumbai's home win and Delhi's second continuous loss.


Kerala Blasters FC (1) - FC Goa (0)

Courtesy:ISL

The game started with both the teams into attacking zone. Midfield and defence of  both the teams looked creative. However, as the game progressed the Goan side grew stronger by creating better chances. Pinheiro twice put in beautiful ball which Gregory missed. Zico's men dominated the game for almost 30' but after Debarata gave away a free kick to the home team for his tackle on Shaumik, Pires' side started to loose possession. After a mediocre free kick by Orji, Kerala started to play with the Goan defence. Although the half time ended in none's favour, Kerala's newly acquired form gave home to the fans for some magic in the second half. The half time started with Gregory shooting over the crossbar for the third time. Jhingan received a yellow card for punching into Narayan's chest. Pinheiro took the free kick but missed by the minutest margin. Milagres stepped in for Sabeeth and Barisic came for Romey. Orji cut past a defender and cut in a great cross to Barisic. The substituted passed the ball to another substitute, Milagres, who wasted no time to score goal to give the home team a lead. After the goal, the home team dominated the rest of the game.

Atletico de Kolkata (1) - FC Pune City (3)

Courtesy:ISL

Attacking Kolkata and sloppy defence of Pune started the first half of the game. Fikru missed an opportunity provided to him by the captain in the starting minutes. He wasted another chance when Nato brought the ball to him. Pritam got booked for challenging Lobo. Josemi seemed to struggle possibly because of an earlier picked up injury. His tackle on Dudu worsened the situation. Second yellow of the game went to Nato for his tackle on Katsouranis. While Josemi was getting treatment, Davide and Dudu gave Kolkata a shock. Davide's more than perfect cross helped Dudu to shoot the ball into the net. The away team that looked weak had the lead now. The away team looked pretty confident after their goal in the second half.  Just after 10 minutes of the other half, Katsouranis came with a brilliant stroke that Roy couldn't even move to stop it. Katsouranis' goal gave trouble to the Keeper and the team! Pune's defence raised itself. Gurung was booked for not letting Garcia take the free kick. Josemi received a yellow. Kolkata's captain was substituted for their super sub Pody. Fikru took the penalty shot after he was brought down by Arindham. His shot gave hope to the crowd for at least a draw.  Rafi for Nato. Habas was keen for goals. Davide finally sealed the deal for Pune with his 89' free kick.

Pune is improving well in terms of performance. Colomba studies the situation and makes plan for the second half. Kerala is on the right track but cricketer Kohli's team is lacking. Zico needs to adopt a stronger strategy if he wants his team to rise from the last place. Kolkata disappointed us again. Maximum number of fouls and least number of goals. Although Habas proudly iterated  in the post match conference that he is not disappointed by the loss (Oh! Habas we're disappointed in you.), we believe this first loss will help Kolkata to think about their play. As for Delhi, Veldhoven has numerous forwards. He can try a different formation. Also, he can think about using Santos as a winger rather than a forward. the only thing that we still can not grasp is why a player like Del Piero sits on bench??