Indian Super League (ISL) 2024/25 has already begun. Four games have been played so far in the tournament. On Sunday Kerala Blasters FC will be facing Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi. The games have been exciting to watch so far. There are 13 teams in this season of the ISL. Debutant Mohammedan Sporting Club (MDSC) will be featuring on Monday against NorthEast United FC (NEUFC).
Mohammedan will be the third club from West Bengal after Mohun Bagan and East Bengal to feature in the top-tier league of the competition. They won the I-League the last season gaining the promotion from their championship win. The Blacks and Whites will look to win their first game of the ISL as their other two rivals have failed to do so in their respective opening fixtures.
On the other hand, NorthEast is coming high after winning the Durand Cup 2024. It was their first silverware in the history of the club. They defeated Mohun Bagan in the final of the oldest football tournament in Asia. Under Juan Pedro Benali the side has been playing some amazing football. They also will look for a winning start away from their home. It will also give the footballers a boost. There will be some interesting battles to watch in the game.
Here are the top 3 player battles to watch out for
3. Makan Chothe vs Tondonba Singh
Makan Chothe played last season with Hyderabad FC. He made 16 appearances overall and played 1,092 minutes. He has started in 12 of these games across their 22 fixtures. The winger entered as a substitute on four occasions. Before that, he was there with FC Goa. He made 26 league appearances in total at FC Goa, scoring one goal and providing two assists. Chothe will look to create some attacks on his new colours and help his side to give a winning start.
Tondonba Singh has been excellent for NorthEast United. He featured in most of the games for the side last season and has been the first-choice left-back for the side as well. Tondonba will look to stop Chothe from making the runs down the wing and create attacks against his side. He is well aware of the quality that the young winger possesses.
2. Alexis Gomez vs Mohammed Ali Bemammer
The 24-year-old Argentine will be one of Mohammedan’s major goalscorers this season. The aggressive midfielder scored 20 goals in 27 I-League games and has the potential to reproduce those results in the country’s top tier. Gomez will look for his best start of the season for himself and the team as well.
Mohammed Ali Bemammer has been the midfield general for the side. The Moroccan defensive midfielder will be on task on Monday against the likes of Alexis Gomez to stop him from creating any kind of attack from the middle of the park and keep an eye so that he cannot make any attacking runs down the middle inside the box as well.
1. Jithin M.S vs Samad Ali Mallick
Jithin M.S. has been the star for NorthEast United since last season. The Kerala-born winger won the Player of the Tournament trophy in the Durand Cup 2024 for his sensational performance throughout the competition. His contribution helped his side to win their first trophy in the history of the club. His pacy runs down the wing will create problems for Mohammedan SC.
However, experienced campaigner like Samad Ali Mallick will look to cut off Jithin’s runs in the wings win the possession for his side, and make a quick counterattack. Samad is known for his rough and tough defending. Having played so long in the Indian football circuit he knows how to deal with these wingers. It will be an enthralling battle to watch out for.
