We’re 20 games into the new Indian Super League season and while it has given a modest glimpse of what lies ahead in store, the edition hasn’t really managed to live up to the hype which was fabricated in the beginning.
In drawing a close comparison to the previous editions, the 2019-20 season has been nothing but a dime a dozen despite the fact that the clubs did intelligent business in the transfer window. An inspection within earshot shows the average passes per game in this edition is actually the lowest compared to the other five. Same goes for the total passes played and completed.
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|
Comparison |
ISL 6 |
ISL 5 |
ISL 4 |
ISL 3 |
ISL 2 |
ISL 1 |
|
Matches |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
|
Passes |
14464 |
16502 |
16737 |
14890 |
16243 |
14672 |
|
Passes Completed |
9727 |
11490 |
11357 |
10599 |
12210 |
10716 |
|
Passing Accuracy |
67.25 |
69.63 |
67.86 |
71.18 |
75.17 |
73.04 |
|
Average Pass per Match |
723.2 |
825.1 |
836.85 |
744.5 |
812.15 |
733.6 |
As seen, the most compelling – or productive for say – was the second edition (ISL 2) where as many as 12,210 passes were completed at an accuracy of 75.17. Further analysis explains the players this year, haven’t been producing their best-attacking displays as passes played in the attacking third are the second-lowest. Also, the numbers are lowest when it comes to the completion of those attempts compared to the previous editions.
|
Attacking Third |
Passes |
Passes Completed |
Passing Accuracy |
|
ISL 1 (20 Matches) |
3925 |
2570 |
65.48 |
|
ISL 2 (20 Matches) |
4357 |
2559 |
58.73 |
|
ISL 3 (20 Matches) |
3494 |
1953 |
55.9 |
|
ISL 4 (20 Matches) |
4122 |
2287 |
55.48 |
|
ISL 5 (20 Matches) |
4024 |
2171 |
53.95 |
|
ISL 6 (20 Matches) |
3783 |
1905 |
50.36 |
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As far as goals are concerned, there sure has been an increase in the number of attempts, but accuracy is something that the players have struggled to cope with. There have been as many as 469 shots in 20 games this season – third best – but an on-target figure of a mere 170 – second-lowest – jacks down all the positives.
|
Comparison |
ISL 6 |
ISL 5 |
ISL 4 |
ISL 3 |
ISL 2 |
ISL 1 |
|
Matches |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
20 |
|
Shots |
469 |
466 |
390 |
369 |
485 |
478 |
|
Shots on Target |
170 |
162 |
193 |
175 |
277 |
260 |
|
Average Shots on Target |
8.5 |
8.1 |
9.65 |
8.75 |
13.85 |
13 |
|
Shot Accuracy |
36.25 |
34.76 |
49.49 |
47.43 |
57.11 |
54.39 |
Biggest coincidence this season though have occurred to Chennaiyin FC, who at this point of time last season were winless in five games. And well, this season too they are yet to open their account, having lost three of their four games played. FC Goa, on their part, have scored same amount of goals as they did last season (10) at this point.
With as many as six players tied at most goals scored (3) so far this season, the league has sure delivered its fair share of amusement, but it hasn’t really managed to match the excitement which the second season (ISL 2) delivered. But a long way to go for the season to end, and all that we can hope is for it to become the best season ever of the Indian Super League.
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Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @IndSuperLeague
