These displays were among the top moments this season.
The ISL 2021-22 was witness to numerous eye-catching moments and performances. In some cases, there were certain off-the-field actions, both positive and negative, which also caught our eye. But on the pitch, there were a few players who created an impact for their team in a particular game.
Once in a while arrives an individual moment of brilliance that steals the show on that day. Of course, most of the ISL teams have had their moments. But, here we present the five impactful performances by individuals in the recently concluded edition of the ISL 2021-22.
5. Adrian Luna Vs ATK Mohun Bagan
On 19th February, Kerala Blasters locked horns with ATK Mohun Bagan. The match ended 2-2, with both teams having a player sent off by the end of the game. Adrian Luna, who wore the skipper’s armband that night, scored two beautiful goals. The first one came in the seventh minute from a free-kick. His shot went over the ATK Mohun Bagan wall and landed into the goal. All goalkeeper Amrinder Singh could do was watch the ball make its way into the net.
The second goal came in the 64th minute, when from the right edge of the penalty box Luna scooped the ball into the net. An effort from the keeper wasn’t enough to prevent the ball from sailing into the net. Kerala Blasters could have won the game, but unfortunately in the dying minutes, Joni Kauko scored the equalizer.
4. Airam Cabrera Vs Kerala Blasters
Airam Cabrera had a poor season, where he netted only three goals in 12 appearances till FC Goa’s last encounter arrived. When the team list was revealed, Cabrera’s name wasn’t there in the starting XI. However, the Spaniard came on in the second half and saved Goa’s night. Kerala Blasters were leading 2-0 at half-time. A few minutes after coming on, in the 49th minute, Cabrera scored his first goal.
It didn’t take him much time to grab another bite of the cherry, as in the 63rd minute he netted the equalizer from the spot. His last goal came in the 82nd minute. For the first time in the league, the 34-year-old displayed his poaching prowess. He was a typical fox in the box that night! Unfortunately, the match ended 4-4, depriving the Gaurs of a victory.
3. Deshorn Brown Vs Mumbai City
Ever since Deshorn Brown joined NorthEast United, he turned into a goalscoring magician. This match saw Brown score his first hat-trick for the Highlanders. His first goal came in the 29th minute, when he received a long ball on the outer edge of the penalty box and netted safely past Mohammad Nawaz.
In the 55th minute, he repeated the same. But, this time, Mumbai City defender Mehtab Singh did his best to challenge the forward. Singh almost succeeded, but ultimately the ball was shot into the net by Brown. The final goal arrived in the 80th minute, when Imran Khan tried his luck after the ball fell to him inside the 18-yard-area via Rahul Bheke’s clearance. Khan’s shot, which was seemingly going wide, was flicked in with accuracy by the Jamaican. Moreover, this marked the second hat-trick of the ISL 2021-22 season. The match ultimately ended 3-3.
2. Greg Stewart Vs Odisha FC
This match can be renamed as “The Greg Stewart Masterclass” for upcoming youngsters. The match ended 4-0 in favour of Jamshedpur FC. Not only did Greg Stewart score a hat-trick, but he also provided the assist for the first goal. Whatever he touched that evening turned into gold. An audacious left-footed footballer, Stewart’s first goal came from his right foot in the fourth minute. Hit with sublime power, the ball ended perfectly into the net.
Stewart’s second goal came from a free-kick in the 21st minute. The ball, hit with precision, was placed beautifully into the bottom corner. The ultimate goal came 14 minutes later, when the Scot received the ball from the edge of the centre line and surged forward into the penalty box before finishing into the net. This match once again proved the class of the 32-year-old.
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1. Kiyan Nassiri Vs SC East Bengal
Just 21, Kiyan Nassiri created history when he scored a hat-trick in the Kolkata Derby. He became the fifth player in the history of the derby to achieve this feat. Also, this was only his second appearance in the ISL. SC East Bengal were leading by a goal, when former footballer and Indian football legend Jamshed Nassiri’s son entered the pitch. After three minutes, he scored his first goal, where goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya was left standing while the ball made its way into the net.
The second goal came in the 93rd minute when Liston Colaco’s cross from the left flank ricocheted off the post and fell perfectly for Nassiri. The young lad made no mistake to thrash the ball straight into the net. The ultimate goal came a minute later, when he got hold of a loose ball and struck it into the bottom corner. To date, Nassiri remains the youngest goalscorer for ATK Mohun Bagan. Also, he is the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Indian Super League.
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