ISL 2019-20: ATK's Roy Krishna scores hattrick, Golden Boot race intensifies

With the Indian Super League (ISL) entering the final stages, the competition is heating up, not just among the teams but also among the players for the various individual honours. While ATK, FC Goa and Bengaluru FC fight out for the much-rewarding, read direct entry to AFC Champions league, the top spot of the league table, the likes of Roy Krishna, Nerijus Valskis, Ferran Corrominas, and others, are engaged in a battle of their own — the race for the Golden Boot.

In fact, when Krishna thumped in a hattrick against Odisha FC to seal a semifinal spot for his team, ATK FC, the other night, he jumped straight from fourth to first in the list of top goal scorers this season.

Brought in as the marquee signing ahead of the season, the expectations on Krishna were huge. After all, he had netted 19 times in 27 appearances in the A-League before coming to India. But Krishna has not disappointed. With 13 goals already, the Fijian has quickly become a fan favourite and is deservedly, on top of the top scorers' list.

Following closely on Krishna's heels, though, is Chennaiyin FC's forward, Vlaskis. Despite a slow start to the season, one of the primary reasons why the Abhishek Bachchan co-owned side is still in the race is the free-scoring Lithuanian. With 12 goals to his name, Vlaskis is rightly in the race for the Golden Boot and is spearheading his team that’s dreaming of an unlikely playoff spot just weeks after being rock bottom in the ISL table.

Coro, Goa's main man up front, has been in his usual prolific form. Having scored 11 times so far, Coro is tied in the third spot of the top scorers' list alongside Kerala Blasters' Bartholomew Ogbeche. Both Coro and Ogbeche were engaged in an enthralling contest for the Golden Boot last season as well.

Among the Indian forwards, Bengaluru FC's Sunil Chhetri leads the way with nine goals. The national team captain started the season with venom but has slowed down as the weeks have progressed.

A few more weeks of action remain, and it remains to be seen which star forward takes home the Golden Boot prize. Can Coro finish on top again? Or, will we have a new winner? Or, will it be Sunil Chhetri? Only time will tell.