The India Super League (ISL) 2024/25 season has already started. Matchday 1 has already got over with only two teams being able to keep a clean sheet as of now. Around 17 goals have been scored so far in 6 games that have been played. Matchday 2 will begin on Thursday with Bengaluru FC taking on Hyderabad FC at Sree Kanterava Stadium. On Thursday the official announcement of Nandini Karnataka’s home-grown dairy brand has officially become the central partner.
The second match of Matchday 2 will be Punjab FC (PFC) will be hosting Odisha (OFC). Both teams have different start to their ISL campaigns as they face each other at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. ‘The Shers’ won their first game away from home against Kerala Blasters (KBFC). Filip Mrzljak scored the winning goal in the last minute of the game. They won the game 1-2 against the Blasters.
On the other hand, Sergio Lobera’s side despite having the lead at half time lost the game at their home. Chennaiyin FC’s high-pressing football ended their 11 home games unbeaten record. Second-half goals by Farukh Choudhury and Daniel Chima Chukwu sealed the match 2-3 in their favour. Lobera’s side will look for a fightback in their second game. It will be an interesting battle to watch with some of the top-quality players on both sides.
Here are the top 3 player battles to watch out for
3. Ezequiel Vidal vs Ahmed Jahouh
‘Pulga’ Vidal has been one of the best findings for Punjab FC. The Argentine attacking midfielder possesses amazing dribbling and goal-creating quality. He impressed in the last game against the Blasters till the time he was there on the pitch. Vidal will be an attacking threat to Odisha FC from the start of the game.
However, the South American will be up against one of the finest defensive midfielders in the competition Ahmed Jahouh. The Moroccan footballer will look to stop the 29-year-old footballer from creating any chances from the midfield area or scoring goals against his side. Jahouh will be up to the task of destroying the attacks of Punjab in the middle of the park.
2. Hugo Boumous vs Filip Mrzljak
Boumous is one of the most experienced foreign footballers in the ISL. The French creative midfielder was amazing in the first half of their season opener. However, he lost track of the game in the second half. Hugo will be eagerly waiting for his chance to score the goal in the second match of the competition and give his side their first win.
Filip Mrzljak was the match-winner for Punjab in their first game. The defensive midfielder is very versatile and can play in the attacking role as well. The Croatian will be up at the task to stop Boumous from creating attacks against his team and press him higher up the pitch for the quick counterattack move from the side.
1. Roy Krishna vs Ivan Novoselec
Roy Krishna is the second-highest foreign goal-scorer and third-highest all-time-scorer in the history of the league. The Fijian striker also scored a consolation goal coming off from the bench in the first match. Krishna will be looking for a start ahead of Diego Mauricio in the next game and would like to score more goals for the side.
However, Ivan Novoselec will be tasked with keeping Roy Krishna away from the scoring zone. The Croatian center-back was solid at the back in the first game as he well-marshaled with Noah Sadaoui and Kwame Peprah. But Krishna is not like the wide strikers he loves to play in between the center-backs and can score from the little amount of space. The 29-year-old defender will need to keep a good eye on the striker.
