Here are the games this week, with their reports below (latest match first):
May 08: SC Delhi vs Odisha FC (5pm)
May 09: FC Goa vs Mohun Bagan SG (5pm)
May 09: Jamshedpur FC vs Bengaluru FC (7:30pm)
May 10: Kerala Blasters FC vs Mohammedan SC (5pm)
May 10: NorthEast United FC vs Chennaiyin FC (7:30pm)
May 11: East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC (7:30pm)
May 12: Mohun Bagan SG vs Inter Kashi (7:30pm)
FC Goa 1 - 1 Mohun Bagan SG
(Ronney Wilson 67' - Jamie Maclaren 55')
Mohun Bagan passed up the chance to go top of the ISL table with a 1-1 draw away to FC Goa, as Jamie Maclaren scored his ninth goal of the season which was cancelled out by Ronney Wilson's fortunate equaliser. The result leaves Bagan level on points with table-toppers East Bengal, but trailing on goal difference. Goa are only a point behind in fourth but have played two games more, so are all but out of title contention.
The first half was a mostly dull affair that could be summed up with the fact that there were more yellow cards (3) than there were shots on target (1). Bagan did dominate the ball with 61% possession, but generated only 0.39 xG from it - mostly potshots from range as Robinho and Liston Colaco toiled. Goa were content to sit back, and only had two attempts in the entire first half as they went into the break goalless.
Half-time substitute Jason Cummings forced Goa's young keeper Bob Jackson into an early save in the second half, and Goa responded with Pol Moreno managing a shot on goal from a set-piece that Tom Aldred did well to clear off the line. That intervention proved crucial as Mohun Bagan took the lead in the 55th minute through a familiar source. Sandesh Jhingan made a mess of controlling a lofted ball, as the ball squirmed underneath his foot and Jamie Maclaren pounced, running through on goal before scoring past Jackson with a controlled finish.
Bagan were firmly in the ascendancy, but Goa kept plugging away, with Udanta Singh forcing Abhishek Tekcham Singh into an error but was unable to create a chance with the ball in the box. Goa did find an equalizer in the 67th minute, but it came absolutely out of nowhere. Dejan Drazic spread the ball wide to substitute Ronney Wilson and his attempt at a cross floated past a wrong-footed Vishal Kaith and into the net.
The game had opened up and both sides traded shots but were unable to find the finishing touch as the game progressed towards the final whistle. Drazic nearly stole a winner in injury time, but Bagan's defence came up with last-ditch blocks to hang on to the draw.
SC Delhi 1 - 2 Odisha FC
(Matija Babovic 74' (P) - Suhair Vadakkepeedika 4', Mafela 13')
Odisha FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Sporting Club Delhi in their Indian Super League tie at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Friday. Early first-half strikes from Suhair VP and K Lalrinfela (Mafela) gave Odisha FC a commanding lead, rendering Matija Babovic's second-half penalty for SC Delhi a mere consolation. With this vital win, Odisha FC moved into 11th place, leapfrogging Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United FC. They now have 10 points from 11 matches, while SC Delhi remain in 10th place with the same number of points from 11 matches, staying ahead courtesy of goal difference.
The match began with Odisha FC catching the hosts completely off guard in the opening exchanges. The visitors broke the deadlock in just the four minutes when an unmarked Suhair VP met a perfect cross from Sanathoi Singh Heikrujam and found the back of the net with a header to go 1-0 up. SC Delhi slowly began to claw their way back into the game, but the visitors struck again in the 13th minute after Delhi gave the ball away. Odisha midfielder Lalthathanga Khawlhring (Puitea) delivered a spot-on assist for Mafela, who produced a strong right-footed finish with a grounded shot that rolled into the bottom corner. The strike went past a diving Nora Fernandes to give Odisha FC a 2-0 lead. Trailing by two goals early on, SC Delhi gradually found their footing and began dictating the tempo. The hosts created several chances before the interval, with Lamgoulen Gou and Matija Babovic both registering shots on target, but the Odisha FC defence held firm. Another glorious opportunity came for the hosts just before half-time in the 44th minute when Mohammed Aimen received a brilliant assist from Babovic but failed to convert. The first half ended with Odisha FC maintaining their 2-0 advantage despite SC Delhi's continued pressure.
SC Delhi began the second half with more aggressive intent, introducing Julio Rivas to bolster their attack, however, they were unable to create clear-cut chances initially. Mohammed Aimen tested Odisha FC goalkeeper Anuj Kumar with an effort in the 58th minute, but the visitors managed to protect their two-goal cushion. As frustration grew, the match became increasingly physical, resulting in a flurry of tactical fouls and yellow cards. Odisha FC's Subham Bhattacharya and goalkeeper Anuj Kumar were both booked around the hour mark as they desperately tried to disrupt the hosts' rhythm. The game went on without much incident until the 70th minute when Odisha FC conceded a clear penalty. Puitea handled the ball while attempting to clear it, resulting in a penalty for handball. Matija Babovic stepped up to take the spot-kick in the 74th minute. The forward executed a well-placed penalty with power and precision to pull a goal back for the hosts.
Odisha FC found an opportunity to restore their two-goal advantage in the 79th minute. Substitute Kartik Hantal missed a massive one-on-one opportunity from point-blank range, keeping the home side in the contest. The home side threw everything forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, with Julio Rivas and Sourav K both forcing late saves in the 83rd and 89th minutes. As the clock ticked down, Odisha FC looked to retain possession and manage the game to protect their slender lead. Seven minutes of additional time were added, setting up a tense finale. However, Odisha FC withstood the late onslaught, maintaining their defensive discipline. Tempers flared in stoppage time, resulting in late bookings for SC Delhi's Ousmane Fane and Clarence Fernandes. SC Delhi earned a free-kick in the dying moments of the game; however, it posed no threat to the visitors, who successfully saw out the victory.
