ISL 2023-24: Talking points from Gameweek 3

Gameweek 3 of ISL 2023-24 witnessed immense drama throughout!

After three weeks of non-stop and high quality football action, the Indian Super League takes a 13-day halt due to the international window. In the weeks gone by, we witnessed everything. Be it goals, comebacks or drama, we saw it all.

The third gameweek of the ISL showcased a lot of things. It included six matches, five wins and defeats each, 18 goals and just one draw. And on that note, let us take a look at the top three talking points from the week gone by. 

3. Chhetri comes back and breaks the deadlock for Bengaluru FC 

Bengaluru FC did not begin the 2023-24 ISL campaign on an ideal note. The Blues were feeling the heat as they were placed in the bottom half of the table after losing their opening two fixtures. But, then in came their main man Sunil Chhetri after completing his national duty in China. 

The Blues’ skipper came in and changed everything for his side. It felt as if Chhetri had injected the much needed confidence into his teammates. He scored a goal and helped Bengaluru FC get their first points of the season. 

2. FC Goa fight back from behind 

It was a game to remember for the Gaurs. It was Sergio Lobera’s first appearance leading an opposition as the head coach in Goa. Lobera’s Odisha FC took the lead, thanks to a former FC Goa faithful Mourtada Fall before Noah Sadaoui scored twice to put his side in the lead.

Odisha FC scored again with Mourtada Fall finding the back of the net once again. The game was tied 2-2 with just a few minutes to full-time and then FC Goa’s boy wonder Jay Gupta showed up with a late left-footed winner to seal all three points for his side.

1. Mumbai-Kerala stage a dramatic night 

It was undoubtedly the most dramatic game of the season so far. Kerala Blasters took a trip to the City of Dreams to play Mumbai CIty FC, having won their opening two fixtures at home. The Islanders scored first with former Kerala Blasters man Jorge Pereyra Diaz scoring the opening goal. The Blasters fought back with Danish Farooq’s equaliser before Apuia put his side back into the driving seat. 

10 minutes were added on as injury time in the second half, but the night didn’t seem to end so early. Red cards to Yoell Ven Nieff and Milos Drincic and a never-ending brawl between the players saw Mumbai City FC secure their second win of the season. The reverse fixture promises to be a cracker.