Top five losing streaks in ISL history

The worst record has been created this season.

The Indian Super League (ISL) has been home to some impressive records in its near-decade-long existence. The erstwhile ATK holds the record for having won the competition three times (in the playoffs format).

Last season, Jamshedpur FC set the record for the most points won in a single season (43). FC Goa holds the achievement for having won the most ISL games (65). But amidst all these impressive records, there are also some not-so-proud ones.

Indeed, some ISL teams have an embarrassing record for losing a ridiculous amount of consecutive games in the competition. These teams went through a few shocking run of forms over the seasons, leaving the fans depressed by losing a lot of games consecutively.

So let’s look at the teams with the worst losing streak in ISL's history.

5. Jamshedpur FC – 5 losses (2022-23)

The Men of Steel have experienced a stark drop in form from last season. They’ve been hit badly by the departure of Owen Coyle and Aidy Boothroyd has failed to maintain them at that level.

Jamshedpur FC have lost their last five games in the competition. In that, they’ve conceded 11 goals and only scored two. In doing so, the defending ISL champions are on one of the worst losing streaks in the competition’s history. Unless this improves, Boothroyd’s time as their manager could be up soon.

4. Chennaiyin FC – 5 losses (2018-19)

Chennaiyin FC are among the most decorated clubs in ISL history. They’ve won the competition twice and are only the second team to do so. But alongside their highs, the Vada Machans have also experienced some major lows over the years.

The 2018-19 season was an absolute nightmare for them. Just one campaign after winning their second title, Chennaiyin experienced a horrible downfall. In 18 games, they only managed eight points – winning only two matches. They lost a shocking 13 games, which included five defeats in a row. Safe to say, that was probably a dark period for their fans.

3. NorthEast United – 6 losses (2017-18)

In their eight seasons in the ISL, NorthEast United have finished in the last position on two occasions. The 2017-18 campaign was a really tough one for them. In 18 games, they picked up only 11 points and finished on rock bottom. In their last 8 games, they received just a point.

NorthEast United’s campaign finished in the worst possible way, as they lost every single one of their final six games of the season. As a result, they created an embarrassing record of being the only team in ISL history to lose their final six games.

2. Delhi Dynamos – 6 losses (2017-18)

Interestingly, NorthEast United were not the only team to have lost six games in a row in the 2017-18 ISL season. Delhi Dynamos had a terrible start to the season and completely faltered after winning their opening fixture.

They ended up losing six matches consecutively after that, conceding 17 goals in total. That was the club’s worst-ever losing streak and among the worst in ISL history. While Delhi Dynamos did recover from that kind of a streak to finish eighth in the table, that horrible losing run ended their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.

1. NorthEast United – 8 losses (2022-23)

The record for the worst-ever losing streak in the ISL has been set this season. NorthEast United possess the unfortunate fortune of holding the record after an awful start to the 2022-23 campaign. The Highlanders have lost all of their eight games played so far this season, with a goal difference of -14 after having conceded 18 goals in the games.

That could have been different had their equalizer in the opening game against Bengaluru FC stood, but that isn’t the case. The Highlanders have a minimum 12 games remaining this season and need to start picking up points soon to end this awful losing run.