Top five longest unbeaten streaks in Indian Super League

FC Goa and Bengaluru FC dominate the list.

In the history of the Indian Super League (ISL), a number of teams have made fascinating unbeaten runs that have caught the attention of football pundits. Be it relatively newer entrants like ATK Mohun Bagan or old ISL outfits like FC Goa, quite a few teams have been able to make unbeaten runs for a good time. Here, we will take a look at the top five longest unbeaten streaks in ISL history.

5. FC Goa - 10 matches (2014)

2014 was the birth year of the Indian Super League. It featured the original eight teams of the league. FC Goa made headlines by appointing former Brazilian international Zico as their head coach. It paid them dividends as they finished second on the points table by a solitary point. They had a dream season in which the Gaurs were unbeaten for 10 consecutive matches.

It was a very good achievement because back then, each side played only 14 matches a season. Goa played 16 matches in total in the competition and was able to go on to have such an unbeaten run. The unbeaten run began on 9th November 2014 with a goalless draw against Mumbai City.

It continued for the last eight games of the group stage and both their playoff matches, both of which were goalless draws, taking the tally to 10. However, they were defeated by the now-disbanded Atletico de Kolkata in the second playoff through penalties by a margin of 4-2, bringing the run to an end.

5. Bengaluru FC - 10 matches (2017-18 season)

The 2017-18 season marked the entry of Bengaluru FC into the Indian Super League. It was a dream debut season for the outfit as they qualified for the playoffs as the table toppers. Even though it was their debut season, Bengaluru hit headlines by matching FC Goa's record for having the longest unbeaten run of 10 matches. They were unbeaten for eight consecutive matches in the group stage.

This was furthered by them having one draw and one win in the playoffs against the now-disbanded FC Pune City, taking the tally to a total of 10 matches. The streak started on 18th January, 2018 against Mumbai City. Unfortunately, their streak ended in the summit clash against Chennaiyin FC which also cost them the title.

4. Bengaluru FC - 11 matches (2018-19 season)

Bengaluru FC lifted their maiden ISL title in the 2018-19 season. They began right from where they ended the previous edition and looked on course for the playoffs from the word go. They had a dream start to the season and did not taste defeat for a whopping 11 games. Consequently, they qualified for the playoffs as table toppers.

Their run began on 30th September 2018 and went on till 13th December 2018. They finally lost their season's first game on 27th January 2019 against Mumbai City in their 12th match. Even though they were not much consistent in the remaining matches, their strong start to the season was enough to take the Blues to the playoffs.

3. Mumbai City FC - 13 matches (2022-23 season)

Mumbai City FC has not lost a game in the ongoing ISL season. They have played 13 games so far and won 10 out of them. The rest three have been draws. Consequently, the side is sitting on top of the table with 33 points.

The Islanders have been running away with the league right from the word go as their run began with their first game of the season on 9th October 2022 and is still continuing. They drew their first game against Hyderabad 3-3 and won their last game against Kerala Blasters 4-0 on 8th January 2023. With such momentum on their side, it would be a great disappointment for Des Buckingham's men if they fail to win the ISL League Winners Shield.

Mumbai City players are in scintillating form this season. New arrivals in the form of Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Greg Stewart are playing extremely well and are on top of the goals and assists chart respectively. The Indian contingent also looks in sync with their foreign counterparts. Chhangte is having his best season to date and is the leading Indian goalscorer this season. With such a talented squad at their disposal, it is now to be seen how long this streak continues.

2. FC Goa - 15 matches (2020-21 season)

Juan Ferrando was appointed as the head coach of FC Goa in the 2020-21 season after Sergio Lobera left the side in 2020. Juan's arrival had a very positive impact on the side as they played good football throughout the season. The highlight of their season is the fact that they remained undefeated for 15 games in total, which was a new ISL record back then.

The Gaurs were unbeaten in the last 13 games of the group stage, which was furthered by two draws in the playoffs. As a consequence of their unbeaten run in the group stage, Goa qualified for the playoffs as the fourth-placed team with 31 points.

Their streak began on 23rd December 2020 with a 2-1 win against Jamshedpur FC and continued till 8th March 2021 when they played the second leg of their playoff match against Mumbai City, which was a goalless draw. This match also ended their streak as they lost the match 6-5 on penalties.

1. ATK Mohun Bagan - 15 games (2021-22 season)

The 2021-22 season was full of turmoil for the Kolkata-based club, especially in the initial phase. They had a good start to the season, winning their first two games. However, after that, the side lost its way a bit. This forced the management to rope in former FC Goa coach Juan Ferrando as their new head coach. Ferrando's appointment changed the fortunes of the side as they went on to have the joint longest unbeaten streak in the ISL - 15 games.

In the first two games of this streak, which were draws, Antonio Habas was at the helm of the club. But it was under Ferrando's watch that the team was unbeaten in the last 13 games. The Green and Maroons' streak began on 11th December 2021 with a 1-1 draw against Chennaiyin and continued till 3rd March 2022, which was a 1-0 triumph against the same opponents.

With this, they matched FC Goa's record from the previous season. Finally, ATK Mohun Bagan lost their last game of the group stage by 1-0 against Jamshedpur FC, ending the streak.