Every substitution in a game must be meticulously planned and executed with care. Some substitutions are pre-planned, while others are made in response to the opposing team’s tactics. In certain situations, substitutions become necessary due to injuries or other unforeseen circumstances. Regardless of the reason, substitute players are expected to make a significant impact on the game.
Some players excel when coming off the bench, demonstrating the ability to turn the game around with their work rate, contributions to the team’s defense, control of the midfield, or by scoring crucial goals—whether equalizers or match-winners.
This season, every Indian Super League (ISL) club, except NorthEast United FC, has had a substitute score for them. A total of 48 goals were scored by substitutes in the 2023-24 season, with FC Goa leading in terms of bench efficiency.
Read More: Top 5 ISL Clubs With Most Points In A Single Season
On that note, let’s look at the five teams whose substitutes have scored the most goals this season.
Top 5 ISL Clubs with the Most Goals from Substitutes in the 2023-24 Season
5. Chennaiyin FC – 6 Goals
Chennaiyin FC are tied with the ISL League Winners and ISL Cup Winners for goals scored by substitutes. Owen Coyle made sharp and astute substitutions throughout the season, and these substitutes made significant impacts, often changing the game’s course in their favor.
Six different players scored as substitutes for Chennaiyin FC, with two memorable goals standing out. Jordan Murray’s winning header in the 94th minute secured a 2-1 victory over Odisha FC, and Irfan Yadwad’s strike in the 97th minute completed an epic 3-2 comeback win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Kolkata. Both wins were crucial for their return to the playoffs after three seasons.
Rafael Crivellaro, Ninthoinganba Meetei, Vincy Barretto, and Rahim Ali also contributed with one goal each off the bench.
4. Mumbai City FC – 6 Goals
Mumbai City FC successfully upheld their high standards in goal-scoring, with substitute players making significant contributions throughout the season.
Two memorable strikes came during their ISL Cup triumph, with Bipin Singh and Jakub Vojtus scoring the second and third goals in their 3-1 comeback victory over Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
Bipin, in particular, demonstrated his impact in previous matches as well, notably against Chennaiyin FC, where he scored a brace to secure a 2-0 win for his side over the Marina Machans. Gurkirat Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte also contributed goals for Mumbai City FC.
3. Mohun Bagan Super Giant – 6 Goals
Given their outstanding performance this season, it’s no surprise that Mohun Bagan Super Giant features prominently in many lists. The Mariners were superb throughout the season, clinching their first ISL League Shield and finishing as runners-up in the ISL Cup.
The Mariners had a deep squad, allowing their coach to rotate players without a drop in quality. Forwards Jason Cummings and Armando Sadiku shared playing minutes throughout the season, effectively coming on as substitutes and scoring two and one goals respectively. Cummings notably put his side ahead in the final league game against Mumbai City FC with the winning goal.
Sahal Abdul Samad, Manvir Singh, and Kiyan Nassiri also each scored as substitutes. Samad’s goal was particularly noteworthy, as he secured the winning goal in stoppage time of the second leg semi-final against Odisha FC, sending his team to the final for the second consecutive season.
2. Jamshedpur FC – 7 Goals
Jamshedpur FC secures the second spot on the list with seven goals, showcasing their effectiveness in deploying substitutes. Five different players have contributed to this tally, underscoring the team’s depth and the tactical prowess of the coach.
A standout performer for Jamshedpur FC was Javier Siverio, who joined mid-season and made significant impacts as a substitute. He found the net against Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC, both matches played at home. Additionally, Seimenlen Doungel also left his mark with two goals coming off the bench.
Daniel Chima Chukwu, Rei Tackikawa, and Steve Ambri were the other players who provided crucial contributions from the bench, each scoring one goal.
1. FC Goa – 8 Goals
Manolo Marquez’s side leads the charts with the most goals scored by substitute players. One standout moment for FC Goa came when a Moroccan player delivered a remarkable performance after being brought on against Hyderabad FC. Entering the game in the second half, he secured his first hat-trick in the ISL, aiding the Gaurs in a commanding 4-0 victory.
Carlos Martinez contributed two goals during his substitute appearances, one against Mohun Bagan Super Giant and the other against Punjab FC. Borja Herrera sealed the winning goal as a substitute against Jamshedpur FC in Matchweek 21, while Victor Rodriguez netted the decisive goal against the same opponent in a previous fixture, which happened to be the solitary goal of the match. Udanta Singh added another goal as a substitute against Chennaiyin FC.
