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The first half of the I-League is nearly complete with most of the teams have played nine matches. This edition has produced some mouth-watering battles, some of which are even better compared to its competitor Indian Super League.
Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal started as favourites again in this season but both them witnessed topsy-turvy campaign so far.
Mohun Bagan were held in their first two matches before registering their first win against Indian Arrows.
They lost again to Churchill Brothers and after a lone draw against Chennai City, they went down against arch-rivals East Bengal, before winning against Minerva Punjab.
East Bengal, after winning their first two matches, lost three in a row. But they turned their campaign back on track in a fashionable manner after making a hat-trick of wins, including Mohun Bagan.
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But Chennai City FC’s performance has surprised everyone. Finishing on the eighth position in their last two campaigns, Chennai City FC have started making their team much before others.
Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas and his former assistant Jordi Villa handpicked players from lower divisions in Spain. They move is reaping rich dividends for the team, which is the only team to remain unbeaten this season.
Let us look at the best XI of the I-League so far:
Honourable mentions: James Kithan, Wayne Vaz, Edwin Vanspaul, Hussein Eldor, Ajitkumar Kamaraj, Yuta Kinowaki, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Laldanmawia Ralte, Katsumi Yusa, Surchandra Singh, Dipanda Dicka and Felix Chidi.
Goalkeeper
Bilal Khan (Real Kashmir FC)
Bilal Khan has been in some form this season. The Snow Leopards have conceded less number of goals this season and Bilal is certainly one of the main reasons for this.
He had produced some mind-boggling saves this season to keep Real Kashmir unbeaten in some matches.
Real Kashmir FC have kept four clean-sheets our of eight matches this season and along with their rock-solid defence, Bilal played a part too. Take the example of Mohun Bagan match. Real Kashmir FC may have lost that match by two goals but could’ve conceded more.
Bilal stood like a rock under the bar and made countless saves to deny Bagan. Against NEROCA FC and Aizawl FC too, he played an influential role.
The Uttar Pradesh-born is a veteran custodian plied his trade with clubs like Churchill Brothers, Hindustan FC, Gokulam Kerala FC and with ISL club FC Pune City from where he is currently loaned to Kashmir.
Defenders
Manoj Mohammad (East Bengal)
Forget about others, not even East Bengal supporters heard his name before the start of the I-League season.
When new coach Alejandro Menendez fielded him in their first match against NEROCA FC, many eyebrows were raised.
But the Jalpaiguri-born not only proved his doubters wrong, earned praise from all the corners along the way as well. He is the only player apart from Mohun Bagan’s Abhishek Ambekar to have played all matches as a left-back.
Menendez has rotated his squad in almost every match but two or three positions remained static. One is certainly for Manoj. The player from East Bengal academy put up inspiring performance in every match.
Borja Gomez (East Bengal)
East Bengal have opted for some Spanish players this time and central defender Borja Gomez is one of them. Chosen by the coach, Borja has provided the much-needed solidity in East Bengal defence.
The no-nonsense defender has so far performed well in the league. The coach may have shuffled between Johnny Acosta and Salam Ranjan Singh in another central defensive position, but Borja’s place remained constant.
He has the perfect height and physique to resist opponent strikers. His tackles have also come good for the team.
Moreover, he is very effective in scoring goals from a corner, which he did against Aizawl FC. Similarly, he can keep the ball out safely when a flag-kick is given against his team.
Mason Robertson (Real Kashmir FC)
Probably one of the revelations in this edition, Mason Robertson left an English lower-tier club Peterhead to play for Real Kashmir FC under his father’s coaching. The decision proved right as he caught the eye of experts with his performance.
Real Kashmir FC have conceded the least number of goals compared to other teams and Robertson played a decisive role in that. His marking, tackles and clearance have all come good for the team, who are playing their debut season.
In fact, Robertson is as effective as Borja in terms of scoring and blocking goals from corners.
Arijit Bagui (Mohun Bagan)
Mohun Bagan have not performed well as far as defensive issues are concerned. But no one can question the ability of Arijit Bagui, who featured regularly in the team as a right-back.
Apart from his defensive duties, Arijit can double up as a winger too. Running down the line, Arijit can easily cut inside and deliver a cross for the strikers.
His crosses are so lethal and pinpoint that most of the time those are converted into goals. Arijit is also a good free-kick taker.
Midfielders
Nestor Gordillo (Chennai City FC)
The Spanish player came to India as a result of intense scouting by Jordi Villa, who worked with Chennai City coach Akbar Nawas before the season. Since coming to India, his performance made spectators sit up and take notice.
In the very first match, Gordillo enthralled the audience with his skills and speed. From left, he can provide delightful crosses and move into a deeper role, he can score goals.
Gordillo has already scored four goals and he will add more dimension to this side.
Lalrindika Ralte (East Bengal)
After spending some years with ISL clubs Mumbai City, ATK and North-East United, Lalrindika Ralte returned to East Bengal again this year. The experience which he gained from playing in a more superior league has helped immensely to improve his performance.
Didika, as he famously called, was given the responsibility to lead his side. He has now become more mature on the field.
Didika controls the ball well and can dictate play in the midfield. He has already earned reputation in scoring from long rangers and set-pieces.
Pedro Manzi (Chennai City)
Another Chennai City FC recruit from Spain, Pedro Manzi caught all the attention in the very first match of this edition’s I-League with his hat-trick. No other foreigner has scored three goals in his very first match of this tournament.
His efficiency within the box is unquestionable. Manzi mainly plays as an attacking midfielder but in certain situations, he can go up and play as a forward. After the opening salvo, he failed to carry on the same form in the upcoming matches. But on his day, he can kill the opponent.
Amarjit Singh Kiyam (Indian Arrows)
The only Indian Arrows player to find a place in the line-up. Amarjit Singh led Indian team in their historic appearance in U-17 World Cup last year. He was also made the captain of Arrows after the World Cup.
Arrows finished on the bottom last season but have since gained experience and under the coaching of Floyd Pinto, they are performing well, even though the results are not a true reflexion.
Among the young bunch, Amarjit is catching the eye more than others. He was currently on loan from ISL club Jamshedpur FC and has already scored two goals for Arrows.
At a time when the strikers are not doing the duties, Amarjit, the right-winger put up inspiring performances in almost every match.
Strikers
Willis Plaza (Churchill Brothers)
The Trinidad and Tobago player was jubilant a few days ago after scoring the goal against his former side East Bengal. He covered his face with the jersey and ran behind the goal pointing two fingers on the sky.
His enjoyment was short-lived, as East Bengal equalised and eventually won the match. But Plaza has already given them the answer.
He was released by the club last season for his inability to score goals. He was even mocked by the supporters. Towards the end of the campaign, Plaza joined Churchill and put up an impressive performance in the Super Cup. He scored all the three goals of his team in the tournament.
Plaza is probably in his best form this season since coming to India. He already scored eight goals and leading the chart midway in the campaign. If he can keep the momentum, he may end up as the top scorer.
Jobby Justin (East Bengal)
The promising youngster has joined East Bengal last season but wasn’t getting many chances. He might have scored few goals but that wasn’t enough to retain his place in the team.
But this season, the player has changed himself completely with the help of coach Alejandro Menendez and his support staffs. Justin gained more weight and has become fitter than ever before. Menendez has also changed his style of play and now Justin is more effective in front of goal.
As a result of his fitness, he now has no problem in scoring goals from difficult angles. One can understand this by watching his side-volley against Mohun Bagan. Justin has scored five goals so far and is the second best goal-scorer of the league so far.
