This GameWeek had a mix of everything. One-sided wins, unexpected scorelines and most of all, good Football!
-:ISL GameWeek 8 Breakdown:-
SC Delhi extended their win-streak after they thrashed NorthEast United FC 3-0 and reached 9th position, ahead of NEUFC at 10th. FC Goa defeated Odisha FC, who failed to find the rhythm and accepted a 3-1 defeat. FC Goa rose to 6th place and OFC fell down to 11th. After a small break, EBFC played their away game against Chennaiyin FC and won 3-1 against them. Played just 7 matches, East Bengal FC are currently in 4th in ISL Table while CFC downgraded to 12th position.In a surprising turn of events, KBFC, amidst a fan-boycott, has secured their first win with 2-1 final scoreline against 10-man Bengaluru FC. KBFC still remains 13th with 4 points while BFC becomes 5th due to lower goal difference compared to EBFC. Inter Kashi managed to defeat MDSC 1-0, which puts them in 8th position with 11 points and the latter is yet to register a single point in their name.
Last but not the least, Mohun Bagan faced Punjab FC at home where the Shers had the first breakthrough and the Mariners equalized in the First Half. The Shers had the second breakthrough and the Mariners equalized by a wonderstrike from Sahal Abdul Samad. In the added minutes after 90 regular ones, Cummings scored the final goal of the match from a freekick. This win boosts Mohun Bagan all the way to 2nd position whereas PFC, with 11 points from 7 matches, finish 7th in the Table after end of GW 8.
-:BEST XI of GameWeek 8:-
GameWeek 8 3-4-3 Nora Fernandes, Fallau KBFC , Narendra Gahlot, Anwar Ali,(Dejan Drazic, Dani Ramirez, Miguel, Sahal), Joseph sunny, Maclaren, Abdul Rabeeh Nora Fernandes of SC Delhi has kept a strong hand at goal, making 7 total saves and 2 successful run outs against NEUFC, which ensured a clean sheet in the away match.Narendra Gahlot of Inter Kashi has played well in defense, making crucial tackles that ensured a clean sheet against MDSC. He made 5 defensive contributions and played 42 passes with 92 % accuracy and 9 successful 9 long balls for his team. Anwar Ali of EBFC was big on passing, as he played 38 successful ones at 82 % accuracy, sent in 11 long balls and carried the ball for total of 164 metres. He also made 4 recoveries and 1 interception. Ndiaye Fallou of KBFC was a wall for the Yellow Army, and although he scored an own goal, it was a forced error in the making. He made 8 defensive contributions and 6 clearances, while playing a total of 41 passes with 95 % accuracy.
Dejan Dražić of FC Goa has performed consistently to get into the BESI XI of the Week. He has progressed the ball 85 metres and scored a goal for the Gaurs. Dani Ramirez of Punjab FC was the playmaker for the Shers. He avoided the pressing, and distributed the ball to facilitate attacks for his team. He played 36 passes with 84 % accuracy and took 4 shots, out of which he scored one goal. Miguel Ferreira of East Bengal FC played on the right wing in the first half and shifted to midfield role in the second. He played 6 key passes and created 3 big chances. He gave an assist and progressed the ball for 81 metres while taking 6 shots of his own. Sahal Abdul Samad of Mohun Bagan came on as a substitute and showed his golden touch in 35 minutes of playtime. His goal can be considered as one of the best, if not the best, in ISL 2025/26. He was phenomenal against PFC, where he dribbled and progressed the ball for total of 81 metres. He also dribbled through 3 players and took a shot towards goal, which dismantled PFC's hopes and almost led to another goal being scored. He delivered in crucial times for the team and 3 points were sealed for the Mariners on Sunday.
The new face in ISL, Joseph Sunny, shined in spotlight for SC Delhi. The winger scored 2 goals against NEUFC, using his pace to overcome the defense line and finish with inch-perfect placing of the ball into the net. Abdul Rabeeh came on as a substitutue for FC Goa, where he played a total of 10 successful passes with 100 % accuracy. He had one shot on target and progressed the ball for 82 metres in just 39 minutes of gametime. Currently the top scorer of ISL 2025/26, Jamie Maclaren , found his touch inside the box after a clever run that kept him onside to receive a good through ball from Robson, which he slotted into the net after breaking the angles of the defender, Bijoy, who stood in his way. He made plenty of runs and pressed high for the team which stretched PFC beyond their own liking.
Coach of GameWeek 8 award goes to Tomasz Tchorz whose methods are working wonders this season! He is using the players up ahead to hold the ball while wingers and midfielders, make runs ahead. A player stays behind to receive the ball back and relay it to the forward men for them to score. Practice made such a tactical skill synergic amongst the members of SC Delhi, which led to their 3-0 confident victory against NorthEast United SC.
-:Expectations from GameWeek 9:-
There are 9 fixtures in GW9 where 4 teams have two matches to play.The blockbuster matches will be East Bengal vs Bengaluru FC at VYBK on Thursday, a fight between title contenders, with an opportunity for EBFC to rise all the way to 2nd position, and all eyes will be on FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC, a potential match that can rattle the standing of the Islanders or should they prove their worth, let them keep an hold onto the top spot.
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