Indian Super League 2014 Results: Updated Table, Scores and Fixtures for Week 4
The top of the Indian Super League standings underwent drastic change in Week 4 of the competition with a series of clashes played between the teams near the top of the standings.
Atletico de Kolkata suffered their first loss of the season on Friday but still find themselves at the top of the table, with the race for the play-offs starting to heat up.
Pune City began Week 4 with a tense victory over NorthEast United before shocking the league-leaders, and their rise in the standings is certainly the biggest story of the past week.
Elano Blumer continued his fantastic play, leading the race for the Golden Boot with eight goals after netting several more important strikes in Week 4, via the competition's official website.
Updated ISL Table
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| 1 | Atletico de Kolkata | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 12 |
| 2 | Chennaiyin | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 10 | +3 | 11 |
| 3 | FC Pune City | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 10 |
| 4 | Mumbai City | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 10 |
| 5 | NorthEast United | 7 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 9 |
| 6 | Kerala Blasters | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | -1 | 8 |
| 7 | Delhi Dynamos | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | +1 | 7 |
| 8 | Goa | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 9 | −4 | 5 |
Courtesy of IndianSuperLeague.com
Week 4 Schedule
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All Week 4 matches have been completed.
Nov. 9: FC Goa, Mumbai City, Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos Can't Score
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FC Goa 0-0 Mumbai City; Kerala Blasters FC 0-0 Delhi Dynamos FC
India's hot and humid climate showed on Sunday, with both of the ISL's matches played out at a slower pace and seeing no goals. Fans have been spoiled with fantastic contests in the competition's inaugural season, but Sunday's matches fell short of the lofty standards that have been set.
Hosts Goa tried to take the match to Mumbai in the early encounter and managed to keep their high press for just 15 minutes, before moving back into a more defensive formation, with the players clearly struggling. Subhash Singh had the ball in the net in the first half, but he was correctly flagged down for offside.
A late flurry from Goa nearly saw Gregory Arnolin score off a corner, but his header just missed the target. He repeated his heroics in the second half, but his powerful effort rattled the crossbar.
Fans saw more movement and intensity in the match between Kerala and Delhi, but both teams put together impressive defensive performances, ensuring no goals would be scored.
Stephen Pearson nearly took advantage of a miscommunication to put the ball past Kristof Van Hout, but the big Belgian got a hand on the ball, allowing his defenders to clear. Iain Hume appeared to have him beat, but his header went out of play via the outside of the post.
Andrew Barisic finally broke the deadlock in the first half, only to be called back for offside. The hosts had few chances in the first half, but Mads Junker really should have done better with a close-range header.
The second half then quickly fizzled out, and ultimately a 0-0 draw was a fair result on a day that deserved little better.
Kerala, Delhi and FC Goa continue to occupy the bottom three spots in the standings, in need of a resurgence in the second half of the season to have any chance of making the play-offs.
Mumbai didn't help their chances by drawing Goa either, but they still hold a one-point advantage over NorthEast United FC as we head into Week 5.
Nov. 8: Chennaiyin FC Held by NorthEast United FC
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Chennaiyin FC 2-2 NorthEast United FC
Late drama ensured Chennaiyin and NorthEast United would split the points on Saturday, playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Elano Blumer scored his second of the night in the 78th minute, but the visitors equalised seven minutes later through Koke, to the despair of the home fans.
Chennaiyin had the better of play early and could have led by one or two goals after 10 minutes, but Rehenesh TP had a strong match in goal for United and was aided greatly by a heroic effort from his defence.
Elano eventually broke the deadlock in the 25th minute, finding himself on the end of a Denson Devdas cross. His powerful header gave Rehenesh no chance, as the hosts took a deserved lead.
Said lead didn't last long, however. Seiminlen Doungel found some space inside the box and spun free before unleashing a stunning volley.
The Highlanders stood firm in the second half, defending with numbers as the hosts piled on the pressure. Elano, who is an early candidate for the Indian Super League's MVP award, was a real nuisance in front of the box yet again, but the visitors did an excellent job limiting space out wide.
It took until the 78th minute for the hosts to finally force a goal, with Elano scoring his eighth of the season. Gliding effortlessly past two defenders, he drilled a low shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.
Chennaiyin appeared to have won it, but a bad clearance from Bernard Mendy fell to Koke, who slotted home from close range. The Highlanders even had two more chances to steal the win late, but Gennaro Bracigliano salvaged a draw for the hosts, who remain in second place.
NorthEast United move up to fourth in the standings, just two points behind early title-favourites Chennaiyin.
Nov. 7: FC Pune City Hand Atletico De Kolkata First Loss
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Atletico de Kolkata 1-3 FC Pune City
FC Pune City shocked league-leaders Atletico de Kolkata on Friday, walking out of the Salt Lake Stadium with a 3-1 win to hand the hosts their first loss of the season.
Atletico dominated possession early, fired up by a vocal crowd, and Fikru Tefera produced the first chance, placing his volley just wide of the goal.
The visitors looked sloppy in their passing and struggled to contain Atletico's powerful attack, but the hosts couldn't capitalise on the many mental errors. Cards were flying early for Pune, who seemed to be going nowhere fast.
Josemi Gonzalez left the pitch for Kolkata to receive treatment, and Dudu Omagbemi used the man advantage to stun the home crowd, powering a header past Subhasish Roy.
The hosts were clearly frustrated by the setback, as play in midfield became chippy. John Goosens forced Roy into an excellent diving save with a ranged effort, and Pune began to see more of the ball, pressing with numbers.
The visitors went into half-time up 1-0, and they were the better side in the second half. Kostas Katsouranis doubled their advantage in the 51st minute with a brilliant effort, curling the ball into the top corner after a solo run.
Atletico played without any organisation or intensity, and Goosens nearly made it 3-0 with a spectacular strike from just outside the box. The hosts were given a penalty in the 82nd minute, however, and with Fikru converting, there fans got behind their team as they went looking for an equaliser.
The visitors were in no mood to concede their advantage, however, and Davide Colomba sealed the win off a free kick which took a deflection in the wall, leaving Roy no chance.
The win sees Pune City take a giant leap in the standings, moving up to third place, while Kolkata keep hold of the top spot despite suffering their first loss.
Nov. 6: Kerala Blasters Book Pivotal Win over FC Goa
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Kerala Blasters 1-0 FC Goa
Kerala Blasters remain in the hunt for a top-four finish after a close 1-0 win over FC Goa on Thursday, climbing to fifth in the Indian Super League table.
Blasters now sit just one point behind NorthEast United, while Goa remain last.
Both teams were desperate for a result coming into this match, and with Kerala playing their first home match, the stands were packed with fans demanding three points.
The first chance fell to the visitors, however, with Bruno Pinheiro directing his effort just wide. Stephen Pearson then found some space inside the box on the other end, but his attempt missed the target as well.
A free-kick for Goa resulted in a quick counter for the hosts, but Chinadorai Sabeeth was left isolated between multiple defenders and couldn't force the breakthrough. The ball went up and down the pitch quickly, with both teams showing plenty of attacking intentions.
It took until the final minute of the first half for another chance to develop, however, with Sabeeth blasting the ball onto the crossbar.
The hosts came out of the dressing room determined to monopolise the ball, and it was substitute Milagres Gonsalves who finally broke the deadlock in the 64th minute.
The visitors failed to clear a corner. The ball fell to Andrew Nikolas Barisic, who teed up team-mate Milagres beautifully with a sharp cross.
Goa went looking for an equaliser but failed to produce any chances of note, and it was Milagres again who came closest to adding to the score, with his low cross missing all players before harmlessly rolling out of play.
Kerala picked up just their second win of the season on Thursday, but it was enough to move them up two places in the standings, just outside of play-off contention. They'll play struggling Delhi Dynamos next, while Goa will host Mumbai City on Sunday.
Nov. 5: Nicolas Anelka Wins It for Mumbai City
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Mumbai City 1-0 Delhi Dynamos
Mumbai entered the top four after a tight win on Wednesday, beating Delhi Dynamos 1-0 thanks to a single goal from Nicolas Anelka.
The Frenchman converted a beautiful counter-attack in the 59th minute, after Singam Subhash Singh found some space on the wing and dropped the ball into the path of Anelka. The 35-year-old finished expertly with his left foot, giving Kristof Van Hout no chance.
Delhi controlled possession early but chances were rare, with both teams focused more on the midfield proceedings. The match saw a number of harsh fouls, and Syed Rahim Nabi was forced to come off the pitch with an injury early in the match.
Mads Junker nearly connected with a fantastic cross from Steven Dias, as the visitors threatened the most in a dire first half. Mumbai had the best chance, however, with Anelka finding Singh with a beautiful lob. He should have scored but couldn't keep his composure in front of goal.
Mumbai increased the pressure in the second half, pushing Delhi back, and the first time the visitors decided to march men forward, the ball was in the net. Anelka's goal prompted Delhi to introduce Alessandro Del Piero, but Mumbai remained the better side.
The hosts had several chances to doubled their lead and were nearly made to pay for their inefficiency, with Del Piero's last-minute header missing the goal by inches.
The win moves Mumbai into the top four, and if the club can continue this hot streak, qualification for the play-offs would be in the bag.
Nov. 4: Clash of Titans Ends in Draw
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Chennaiyin FC 1-1 Atletico de Kolkata
Indian Super League leaders Atletico de Kolkata and Chennaiyin FC played out a 1-1 draw on Tuesday, with two penalties, two red cards and plenty of late drama deciding the match.
Chennaiyin had the opportunity to take over the top spot in the standings, but it was Atletico who held the lead throughout the second half. Elano Blumer converted a penalty for the visitors in stoppage time, sending the home crowd into a frenzy as he salvaged a point.
Shilton Paul had been sent off for Chennaiyin in the first half, given a straight red for a charge inside the box, a harsh decision. Backup stopper Gennaro Bracigliano couldn't save Luis Garcia's effort, and with a man up, the visitors looked to be cruising to an easy win.
Kolkata predictably dominated the rest of the first half, using their man-advantage to pass the ball around with ease. Both teams soon returned to even strength, however, as Jofre was shown his second yellow of the match for a blatant dive.
The hosts started building the pressure without producing any real danger, but when Kingshuk Debnath brought down John Stiven Mendoza Valencia inside the box, the official had no choice but to put the ball on the spot.
Elano took his responsibility and slotted home, earning his side a late point.
Nov. 3: NorthEast United Suffer First Away Defeat at Pune City
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Pune City 1-0 NorthEast United
NorthEast United saw their unbeaten away record in the Indian Super League come to an end Monday after Pune City left the visitors heartbroken thanks to a last-gasp winner in Balewadi.
NorthEast United were under the thumb for much of this encounter, but looked promising on the counter-attack for periods despite failing to carve out many clear-cut chances on goal.
In fact, the Highlanders would manage just two shots in the entire fixture, neither of which were on target, according to the official Indian Super League website.
That's despite boasting a 58 percent share of the possession, showing Pune City's resilience in midfield in particular, restricting the movement of NorthEast United's attack.
Substitute John Goossens would come on to make the essential difference for the hosts, though, thudding in an 88th-minute rebound after Duda's long-range attempt flicked back off the crossbar.
The result gives Pune City a resurgence to form after losing 2-1 at home to Kerala Blasters in their previous outing.
Both Pune City and NorthEast United travel away from home for their next fixture, with Monday's victors heading to face Atletico de Kolkata on Friday before the Highlanders make their way to Chennaiyin on Saturday.
