ISL 2020/21: SC East Bengal and Mumbai City FC pick up pre-season victories
Anthony Pilkington scored a brace as SC East Bengal came from behind to secure a 3-1 win in their first Indian Super League (ISL) pre-season friendly. Yumnam Singh Gopi also scored for the West Bengal club, while Gary Hooper got on the scoresheet for Kerala Blasters FC. The ISL 2020/21 season kicks off on the 20th of November.
Kibu Vicuna's Kerala Blasters took the field with an all-Indian starting XI and were without three of their foreign players Bakary Kone, Jordan Murray, and Facundo Pereyra. The first half ended scoreless, but Gary Hooper's introduction in the second half shook things up.
The former Celtic man opened the scoring to give the Blasters a 1-0 lead. However, Anthony Pilkington equalized a few minutes later before eventually giving his side the lead. The 32-year old's first goal came from the penalty spot. Yumnam Singh finally put the game to bed as East Bengal secured an important 3-1 win.
This is a morale-boosting victory for Robbie Fowler's side, given the fact that they have not had a lot of training. The Red and Gold brigade make their ISL debut against the much-fancied ATK Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata Derby.
ISL 2020/21 Preseason friendlies: Mumbai City FC claim victory over Odisha
Mumbai City FC claimed yet another pre-season victory, with a 3-2 win over Odisha FC in Nagoa. Marcelinho and Nandha Kumar got on the score sheet for the Mumbai-based club. Sergio Lobera will certainly be pleased with his side's performance, but there is still work to be done defensively, as the Mumbai FC backline conceded twice.
The previous game for Lobera's side also ended in victory as Adam le Fondre netted an important winner. Judging by their pre-season performances, Mumbai City FC is a team to watch out for going into the tournament.
Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC and NorthEast United FC played out a goalless draw. While the fixture was the first pre-season friendly for NorthEast United FC, it was Jamshedpur FC's second preparation game ahead of the ISL 2020/21 season.
The 'Men of Steel' fell 3-2 to FC Goa in their first pre-season friendly with David Grande and Mobashir Rahman getting on the scoresheet.