With the Indian Super League (ISL) 2015 season reaching its decisive phase, the tournament has already thrown up many unforgettable moments, carrying on from the stupendous success of season one.
From India captain Sunil Chhetri’s hat-trick, which is also the first by an Indian in ISL's history, to football legend Pele visiting India after a gap of 38 years, the second season of the colourful tournament has already witnessed many moments that can for long be cherished by the Indian football fans. And it's far from finished.
As we head into the final four rounds of the league phase followed by the playoffs, IBNLive takes a look at some of the best moments so far:
An 'Indian' hat-trick
Captain of India's national team, Sunil Chhetri, added another feather to his hat when he became the first Indian to score a hat-trick in the ISL. The 31-year-old, with his spectacular feat, enthralled the jam-packed DY Patil Stadium and powered Mumbai City to a 5-1 win against NorthEast United.
Roberto Carlos playing on Indian soil
It was nothing less than a dream come true for all the football fans in Indian to see the Brazil's World Cup-winning star Roberto Carlos in action. He may not be young enough to dish out his trademark free-kicks, but the 42-year-old Carlos, the marquee player-cum-manager of Delhi Dynamos, ensured his fans weren't disappointed. Carlos’ presence in the team has ensured that Delhi remain hot favourites to qualify for the playoffs.
Pele at ISL
It was another historic occasion at the gigantic Salt Lake stadium when the 'King of football' Pele returned to the 'City of Joy' after 38 years. The three-time World Cup winner sat through the Atletico de Kolkata vs Kerala Blasters FC match. The crowd too turned up in large numbers to catch a glimpse of the football legend as the official count stood at 61,237.
Pele also exchanged pleasantries with Nita Ambani, Founder & Chairperson, Football Sports Development Limited, the promoters of the ISL. The Brazilian soccer legend was also seen clicking 'selfies' with the fans after the match.
This was at the same venue that had hosted several football greats, including German great Oliver Kahn. It also hosted Lionel Messi studded Argentina in a FIFA friendly against Venezuela in September 2011. Diego Maradona, Karl Heinze Rumminiege, Diego Forlan and Gerd Muller are among other football greats who have graced the city.
Mendoza hat-trick
The Colombian striker Stiven Mendoza is on song having fired two hat-tricks already - against FC Goa and Kerala Blasters FC. He is now at the top of the goalscorers' tally with 9 strikes to his name. The Mendoza-inspired Chennaiyin, who have had a shaky season so far, have 13 points from 11 games and jumped to the sixth spot after their win against Kerala, keeping hopes of qualifying for the playoffs alive.
FC Goa rout Mumbai City FC
It was the 100th game of the Indian Super League and FC Goa marked it with an memorable performance. They outclassed Mumbai City FC 7-0 at the Fatorda Stadium, and the heroes were strikers Thongkoisep Haokip and Dudu Omagbeni, who scored hat-tricks to ensure their team’s resounding victory. This was also the biggest-ever win in ISL history. Dudu (41st, 63rd and 66th) and Haokip (33rd, 52nd and 79th) made merry with three goals each while substitute Reinaldo Oliveira (90th) added one more in a completely one-sided encounter. The earlier biggest margin win was the 5-0 thrashing of FC Pune City by Mumbai City FC last season.
Magnificent show by Indian players
With foreign recruits expected to do well in the season, the Indian players have not left any single stone unturned to make an impression. The top of that list will be our Mumbai City Fc's Chhetri. He became the first Indian in the ISL history to score a hat-trick. After the Indian captain, it was Thongkoisep Haokip, who too scored a hat-trick in FC Goa’s resounding 7-0 victory over Mumbai City FC. Apart from these, Robin Singh has been instrumental for Delhi Dynamos. Robin scored a dramatic late goal for Delhi to deny Mumbai their first away victory and helped his team settle for a 1-1 draw.
The 22-year-old NorthEast United goalkeeper TP Rehenesh has emerged as one of the best in the season. As far as the performance of the goalkeepers are concerned, Rehenesh sits atop with four clean sheets and 38 saves.
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