ISL 2017/18: Best forwards of Round 11

The 11th week of ISL 2017 has come to an end and in the 6 games we witnessed, there were some superb performances from various teams.

Mumbai City FC ended their winless run with a thrilling 4-3 win over FC Goa, while there were wins for FC Pune City, Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC as well.

In this article, we look at 5 midfielders whose performances stood out among the rest!

Sunil Chhetri

Sunil Chhetri scored his 5th goal in the 5th match to help Bengaluru FC register their 2nd win in as many matches.

The 33-year old showed his class finishing from almost an impossible angle to yet again score a winner. He was also involved heavily in all of Bengaluru FC’s good work going forward.

The record Indian goal scorer has so far contributed with 8 goals and an assist and has now surpassed his best ever goal tally in an ISL season.

The Indian Team Captain is also the top Indian goal scorer in ISL 2017/18 and the 3rd highest scorer overall in ISL 2017/18.

Balwant Singh

Balwant Singh ended his 3-match barren run by scoring the winner against FC Goa in an entertaining clash which ended Mumbai City FC’s 3-match winless run.

Balwant as always worked hard up front and was a nuisance for FC Goa defence with his movement.

Balwant showed his poachers instinct reacting the quickest on a loose ball to stab home. The 31-year old has now scored 5 goals and is the top Indian scorer of Mumbai City FC.

His goal scoring feats are even more impressive as he has not always played as a centre-forward, he has alternated between playing as a winger in one match to a striker in the next match.

Coro

Coro scored a fine brace against Mumbai City FC and was unlucky to be on the losing side as a red card to Seriton Fernandes meant FC Goa ended up on the losing side in a 7-goal thriller.

The Spanish striker has now scored 12 which is the highest in an ISL season and has contributed an astonishing 15 goals so far which is more than 4 teams in ISL 2017/18.

The diminutive forward is averaging a goal every 79 minutes. The 35-year old has a goal conversion rate of 50% highlighting his lethal finishing.

This was the first time in ISL 2017/18 that FC Goa lost the match in which Coro scored.

Jeje Lalpekhlua

Jeje once again proved to be Chennaiyin FC’s match-winner fortuitously turning home the ball after ATK’s goalkeeper failed to deal with a cross.

The goal was a reward for his perseverance. This was the 2nd time this season Jeje has scored a late winner against ATK after scoring a similar goal against ATK at the Marina Arena.

The highest Indian goalscorer in ISL is Chennaiyin FC’s top scorer this season and is also the 2nd top scoring Indian in ISL 2017/18 with 7 goals. Jeje as always worked hard closing down defenders, he also held the ball well allowing teammates to join the attack.

Emiliano Alfaro

Emiliano Alfaro ended his 5-match scoreless run in which he had been guilty of some shocking misses by his standards.

It appeared that his poor form in front of goal would continue against Jamshedpur FC when he once again missed a presentable opportunity. But the Uruguayan proved his class by scoring the winner against Jamshedpur FC.

The 29-year old was in the right place to convert a low cross from Marcelinho. He has now scored 6 goals and has surpassed his last season’s tally.

Emiliano Alfaro’s return to goalscoring form is good news for FC Pune City as he will play a crucial role in FC Pune City’s quest to make their first ever ISL semi-finals.