ISL 2017: Top 5 defenders from week 6

The ISL is slowly entering the second half of the tournament
The ISL is slowly entering the second half of the tournament (Photo: ISL)

The 6th week of ISL 2017 has seen some surprising results from Bengaluru FC losing back-to-back home games, to defending champions ATK getting their first win of the season under the belt.

This week has seen just 8 goals in 5 games and had just one game with both sides finding the back of the net. We have seen quite a few brilliant defensive performances. On that note let’s see who made their mark in our top 5 defenders segment from week 6:


Lalchhuanmawia Fanai - FC Pune City

Chhuantea was impressive against FC Goa (Photo: ISL)
Chhuantea was impressive against FC Goa (Photo: ISL)

The 28-year-old left-back reserved his best performance for the most important occasion and was one of the main reasons behind keeping the high-flying Gaurs silent. Playing at home, FC Goa were the clear favorites after scoring 14 goals in their last 3 games. However, Chhuantea's brilliant work in defence helped FC Pune City to keep their 2nd clean-sheet of the season.

Chhuantea blocked 3 shots and made 4 clearances to keep the Goan attack at bay. He also attempted 10 tackles in the game, which was the highest by a player in the entire game. Despite all the dirty work, Fanai who has already received a red card this season, didn’t get a single caution from the referee.

Gurtej Singh - FC Pune City

Gurtej established a solid partnership at the back alongside Chhuantea (Photo: ISL)
Gurtej established a solid partnership at the back alongside Chhuantea (Photo: ISL)

Keeping the FC Goa attack silent is not an easy job, but center-back Gurtej has formed a formidable partnership in defence with Chhuantea Fanai to restrict the Gaurs from finding the back of the net. Gurtej has helped Pune to keep their 2nd clean-sheet in last 3 games.

He made 8 very important clearances to stop FC Goa from creating too many goal scoring opportunities in the game. He also made an impressive 3 blocks and a vital interception to avoid the league's leading goal-scorer Corominas an opportunity right before the half-time, to cap off an impressive display on the night.

Shouvik Ghosh - Jamshedpur FC

Shouvik Ghosh has established himself at Jamshedpur FC (Photo: ISL)
Shouvik Ghosh has established himself at Jamshedpur FC (Photo: ISL)

Jamshedpur FC left-back Shouvik Ghosh has done brilliantly in the absence of Anas Edathodika to lead them to their 5th clean-sheet of the season. He has been a regular for his ISL teams over the years and has been the same this time around as well.

Ghosh played a crucial role to stop Bengaluru FC, who are one of the best attacking sides of this year's competition. He blocked a shot and made 2 interceptions to avoid the danger in-front of goal created by Sunil Chhetri and company on the night.

Lucian Goian - Mumbai City FC

Goian is one of the best defenders in the league (Photo: ISL)
Goian is one of the best defenders in the league (Photo: ISL)

The Romanian center back, Lucian Goian has been one of the top performing defenders for Mumbai City FC since ISL 2016. The Romanian has led his side from the front once again against the NorthEast United FC in the first game of week 6.

Goian made 5 clearances and prevented the Highlanders from creating a number of chances. He also blocked 2 shots and made 4 important clearances to help the Islanders keep their first clean-sheet away from home this season.

Prabir Das - ATK

The ATK full-back continued his fine form against Delhi Dynamos (Photo: ISL)
The ATK full-back continued his fine form against Delhi Dynamos (Photo: ISL)

The 24-year-old Indian international, Prabir Das has been a live wire in ATK's defence so far this season. The right-back helped them to their 4th clean-sheet of the season and first one at home. He contributed in attack as well and provided 4 excellent crosses and also attempted a shot on goal.

As always, Prabir has led the Kolkata defence from the front and attempted 12 tackles in the game, which was the highest by a player in the match. He also made 3 clearances and a couple of interceptions to restrict Delhi from creating chances in front of goal.

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Edited by Nived Zenith
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