We’ve come midway in ISL 2025/26. In comparison with other versions, this would constitute a small break and signing of new players in Winter Transfer Window starting from January. At this time, the table standings would, by no means, determine the winners or rather the playoffs, but it would surely dictate who are contenders for the title and who remains to be relegated by finishing at the bottom of the Table. This season, hot sunny April is already here. The stakes are much higher for every match with half matches being played in total. Every team will face each other just once, and that feels like a straight-up staredown from start till finish. All spoils go to the one who has the last laugh!
-:ISL GameWeek 6 Breakdown:-
In GameWeek 6, we witnessed some high-margin wins. East Bengal FC defeated 10-men Mohammedan SC 7-0 in a dominating fashion, a scoreline that was only once seen before in ISL when FC Goa defeated Mumbai City FC in 2015. This massive win has propelled them up to 11 points from 6 games with +12 GD. Odisha FC also won 4-1 against 10-men NEUFC, registering their first win this season. Bengaluru FC defeated Inter Kashi 3-1 after a blunder made by the latter keeper. Punjab FC defeated 10-men KBFC with a final score of 3-1 that puts them 7th in the League Table. Table Toppers Mohun Bagan faced their first defeat and that too at home, against mighty ISL Giants, Mumbai City FC, with 1-0 loss, where Noufal scored the only goal to take the Islanders to the top of the League. FC Goa drew against Chennaiyin FC, retaining their unbeaten run, while Jamshedpur FC was held in 1-1 by hosts in the first home match of SC Delhi.-:BEST XI of GameWeek 6:-
Purba Lachenpa got the Man of the Match Award in Mohun Bagan vs Mumbai City FC match for keeping a clean sheet and making 6 total saves for the Islanders at VYBK.Sandesh Jhingan has been performing decently for FC Goa and his late header stole a point from Chennaiyin FC. He had 5 defensive contributions and played 49 accurate passes. Anwar Ali has stood like a proper defensive block for EBFC, but against MDSC, he was the main goal scorer. He scored the first goal from outside the box with an accurate strike, and another goal in the 2nd half to demolish the opponents further. He gave 3 key passes, one of which also resulted as an assist for a goal. Rahul Bheke had 10 defensive contributions, where he won 100% of 3 duels. With a staggering number of 75 passes with 84% accuracy, he truly helped the team win comfortably against Inter Kashi.
Joni Kauko was the key factor for MCFC who dismantled Bagan’s attack from the midfield. From making crucial interceptions to delivering an assist that resulted in 3 points in the away game, the ex-Mariner found his touch in the familiar ground of VYBK. With 29 metres of ball progression and 10 defensive contributions, he gets into the Best XI of the Week. As for Apuia Ralte, his high work-rate spoke for his performance throughout the entire match. He was all over the field, where he delivered 79 passes with 91% accuracy(40 of them in opponent’s half) and 7 long balls with 88% accuracy. He also made 3 key passes for the Mariners, and won 3 tackles and made 6 recoveries for the team. His ball progression was at 106 metres at the end of the game – an incredible statistic! Miguel of EBFC delivered 9 key passes for his team out of which 1 was an assist. His dribbling skills inside the box led to 2 penalties, which were quickly converted by fellow players. Braian Sanchez scored another banger from outside the box for BFC – a long ranger beauty that was a sight to be seen! He delivered 4 key passes and 32 passes with 82% accuracy. With total ball progression of 90 metres, and two goals in his name, he was the star that shined for the Blues on that night.
Lallianzuala Chhangte of MCFC was phenomenal on the right wing. He played 2 key passes and made accelerating runs down the line that proved to be too good for Mohun Bagan’s backline. He broke through the offside trap time and again and challenged the keeper one too many times all the while keeping the pressure on, with ball progression of 92 metres for the team. Rahul KP scored two goals in combination with Rahim Ali in attack for Odisha FC against NEUFC. With clinical finishing in the box, dribbling in the attacking third and attacking lethality, the synergic duo registered the first win for Odisha FC in ISL 2025/26.
Coach T.G. Puroshothaman of Odisha FC managed to take down NEUFC in a dominating fashion to mark the comeback of the team. His strategy of counter-attacks worked wonders with high pace players in the front that ensured the positive outcome. His set-pieces also proved effective where debutant Subham Bhattacharya scored a header from a cross.
-:Expectations from GameWeek 7:-
The blockbuster match will be on Saturday, 4th of April, when Jamshedpur FC will host Mohun Bagan at home. Both title contenders, currently in 2nd and 3rd on the ISL Table, will look to bounce back to winning ways. Another big clash that will certainly impact the title run of the top teams will occur on 9th April when Jamshedpur FC face current table toppers Mumbai City FC at home.Follow MBFT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Telegram, Whatsapp & Google News to stay updated with all the Mohun Bagan & Indian Football related News & Updates. Jai Hind Jai Bharat! Joy Mohun Bagan!
