Midfielders
MF: Jayesh Rane (Aizawl FC)
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Aizawl looked to rebound from their first loss of the campaign last time round against Chennai City and they ran Mohun Bagan incredibly close in a thriller of a game at the Rabindra Sarobar. After a subdued performance in the previous game, Jayesh Rane came to life in this one and was the tormenter-in-chief for Bagan as he gave their defence problems all evening long.
With his mazy runs, he managed to stretch the play effectively, helping his side open up the Kolkata outfit with ease. After going a goal down, he provided the equaliser, slamming in Stephane Kamo Bayi's square pass into an open net and provided the assist for their second goal, delivering a corner straight to the head of an unmarked Ashutosh Mehta who made no mistake.
Unfortunately for him and his side, Bagan got the late winner meaning it was zero points at the end of it.
MF: Lalrindika Ralte (East Bengal)
Captaining the side, Didika produced a superb display from midfield, playing a key role in his side eventually breaking down a stubborn Chennai City defence to continue their winning run. The visitors from the southern city had managed to frustrate the league leaders by being compact and not allowing them room to run with the ball, an effort that saw them go into halftime with the game deadlocked at 0-0.
In the second half, though, East Bengal picked it up a bit and it was Didika who created the opportunity with his lovely dinked pass over the Chennai City defence for Wedson Anselme, who gave East Bengal the lead with a cool finish.
Didika also had a hand in the second goal, an indirect assist one could say, getting the ball to Anselme, who in turn turned provider for Willis Plaza's strike. And he capped off proceedings by stepping up to take the spot-kick in stoppage time, converting to make it 3-0 and asserting his team's dominance before the clash with rivals Bagan.
MF: Juan Quero Barrasso (Shivajians)
The diminutive playmaker was once again the cynosure of much of Shivajians' attacks as he took the game to Bengaluru. Along with his strikers, the pressure they exerted on the Bengaluru defence was massive as the reigning champs were thoroughly outplayed in the first half.
Quero had a shot cannon off the bar in the 30th minute and had another one in the second half which hit the upright. Apart from his strikes, he was also dangerous supplying key passes to the frontmen in the final third. Despite not getting on the scoresheet, Quero continued the strong run of form that he has displayed right through the season.
MF: Anirudh Thapa (Minerva Punjab)
A first win is always a huge shot in the arm for any side, even more so if you are one of the minnows in a league. Thapa, the young AIFF Elite Academy product, on loan from Chennaiyin FC, produced a magnificent display in the Minervans' first league win as they overcame Mumbai FC 2-1.
Playing wide on the wings, he was an important channel of attack for the young Punjab team. His crosses from the wide areas were a constant threat to deal with, and one of them even found the back of the net as his attempted corner went directly into the goal.
