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The Hero Indian Super League came to an end in dramatic fashion as Rahul Bheke scored the winner for Bengaluru FC late into extra time against FC Goa to give the Blues their maiden ISL trophy at the Mumbai Football Arena.
The season saw many players shine in the 95 matches played throughout the tournament. While the usual Indian performers like Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Subhashish Bose and many others kept up their good work, other talents like Bheke, Nishu Kumar, Jerry Mawihmingthanga showed why they should be in the Indian national football team.
On the other hand, foreign players like Ferran Corominas, Batholomew Ogbeche, Lucian Goian brought forth their experience and skill to guide their respective teams to the semi-final stage of the tournament.
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With this array of fabulous players at our disposal this season, it was a tough decision to choose only the 11 best players. But after hours of selection, the team of the season for the Hero ISL 2018/19 campaign has been chosen.
Here we go!
(Please note: This is the author's Best XI and not necessarily Sportskeeda's picks)
Goalkeeper
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)
The Bengaluru FC and Indian national team goalkeeper bagged the golden glove for this season as he secured 7 clean sheets and 61 saves in 20 games. He had a phenomenal stat of 96.32 minutes per goal conceded, 16.32 minutes higher than FC Goa's Naveen Kumar, who was the runner-up for the golden glove.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was a huge presence in the box throughout the tournament as he has claimed many high balls and punched the ball out of danger on several occasions. This awareness from the 27-year-old has made him cement the No 1 spot for the national team through the past year.
Although compatriot Amrinder Singh had an amazing season as well for Mumbai City FC, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu takes the spot between the posts in the team of the season.
Defenders
Right-Back - Rahul Bheke (Bengaluru FC)
The Bengaluru FC right-back didn't make the Indian squad that travelled to UAE for the Asia Cup this January. This decision from Stephen Constantine sparked criticism amongst the fans all over the country.
Bheke proved just how much of an asset he would have been with his performances for Bengaluru FC this season. Often scoring decisive goals fro Bengaluru FC, Rahul Bheke was a solid defender throughout the tournament and was also a huge threat going forward. This has probably been the best season of his career and with performances like this, it won't be surprising to see him dawn the Blue jersey of the national team.
Centre-back - Lucian Goian (Mumbai City)
It was the Romanian defender's third season in the Indian Super League and his amazing defensive abilities were on display once again. He has by far been the most consistent defender in the league which is also one of the factors for his inclusion in the team of the season.
With 187 clearances, 82 tackles and 33 interceptions, Goian has been an absolute powerhouse of a defender which saw Mumbai City FC grab eight clean sheets through the tournament.
Centre-back - Tiri (Jamshedpur FC)
If Lucian Goian was the best defensive defender of the league this season, his centre half partner is the most offensively impacting defender of the league this season.
With 845 passes and 1150 touches, TIri controlled the pace of the game for Jamshedpur FC. He was no slouch when it came to defending either with 164 clearances and 33 interceptions. He had a great season with Jamshedpur FC and is turning out to be one the club's icons.
Left-back - Nishu Kumar (Bengaluru FC)
Bengaluru FC has their own fair share of Indian talent with the likes of Rahul Bheke, Udanta Singh, Kean Lewis and youngsters like Boithang. But one youngster who stood out this tournament was Nishu Kumar.
The left-back showed great passion, immense work rates and at times, sheer quality to assist Bengaluru FC in their road to their maiden ISL trophy. His piledriver of a goal against Jamshedpur FC remains one of the best goals of Bengaluru FC this season.
Midfielders
Right Winger - Jackichand Singh (FC Goa)
Once claimed as one of the hottest talents in India, Jackichand Singh showed everyone why he is so highly adored by the fans. Hardworking, quick with his feet and possessing great dribbling skills, Jackichand Singh was able to easily fit into Lobera's system.
His four goals and four assists were pivotal contributions that helped FC Goa reach the finals. With 61 crosses, Jackichand Singh showed that he can provide stiff competition to compatriot Udanta Singh for a spot in the national team.
Central Midfielder - Ahmed Jahouh (FC Goa)
There is a lot to talk about when it comes to the system implemented at FC Goa by coach Sergio Lobera. Most of the spectators have noticed the highly offensive style they adopt and the plethora of goals the team scored.
But in the middle of it all stood one man who ensured quick ball movement and won the ball on several occasions along with creating chances. This man was Ahmed Jahouh.
Having made the most passes, the most touches and the most tackles in the league this season, it is fair to say that Ahmed Jahouh was a massive midfield presence.
Similar to Jorginho at Chelsea, Ahmed Jahouh was a key piece in all the open play tactics for Lobera. With the guile and awareness possessed by the 30-year-old Moroccan, it is fair to say he performed his role with great excellence.
Central Midfielder - Sahal Abdul Samad (Kerala Blasters)
The Indian Super League is all about opportunity for the up and coming Indian players who hope to represent their country at the highest level. One man who took this opportunity was Sahal Abdul Samad.
Along with earning a spot in the U-23 national team, Sahal was also awarded the emerging player of the league for the 2018/19 season. With a string of amazing performances under his belt this season, Sahal will hope to only improve on this and put up even bigger numbers next season.
Left Winger - Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
No matter how much we talk about this man, it seems as though it is never enough. He is the epitome of Indian football and he proved it once again. With great leadership and an amazing work rate, Sunil Chhetri once again personified the words "Captain, Leader, Legend". Taking The Blues to their maiden ISL title, Chhetri scored 9 goals and provided 3 assists this season. But the Hero ISL is just the second award India's talisman has earned this year after being awarded the prestigious Padma Shree award earlier this year.
Forwards
Right Striker - Bartholomew Ogbeche (NorthEast United)
With 12 goals and 2 assists to his name, it is fair to say that Ogbeche carried much of the burden of North East United FC to give their fans the results they wanted. He was integral in their journey to the semi-finals where they would just miss out on the finals after a 3-0 loss in the second leg at the Sree Kantheerava Stadium in Bangalore.
But the French Striker was an unstoppable force at times, scoring goals all on his own and just muscling his way through defenders. His quick instinct in the box and experience allowed him to score goals for fun.
This successful campaign for the 34-year-old puts him in our team of the season alongside a man who is very familiar with this league.
Left Striker - Ferran Corominas (FC Goa)
Who else but Ferran Corominas? The Spaniard picked up from right where he left off, scoring 16 goals this season, 2 less than last season. But these 16 goals were enough for him to retain the Golden Boot award that he had won last season.
Along with the Golden Boot, he won the 'Hero of the League' award which is basically the award for the best player of the league. The basis behind awarding him the 'Hero of the League' award cannot really be argued.
Along with his 16 goals, he provided 7 assists. More often than not, he would drop back to midfield and encourage quick ball movement in the build-up towards the final third. He has been phenomenal the past two seasons and is definitely turning into an icon not only for Goa FC but also for the Indian Super League.
Manager
Sergio Lobera (FC Goa)
We finally come to the manager of the season. While Carles Cuadrat of Bengaluru and Eelco Schattorie of North East United FC were also strong contenders for this award, one cannot deny Sergio Lobera's influence in Indian football. He successfully implemented an entirely different style of football in India.
Many a time, we see the ball just being flung at a target man and then the team playing on the second ball. This tactic was routinely followed by the likes of David James in Kerala Blasters as they felt that was their strongest chance to get a point if not all three.
But Lobera had a completely different philosophy. The fact that the three players with the most number of passes this season all play for Goa is a testimonial to his philosophy of quick ball movement and energy.
With wide midfielders that could get up and down the pitch in seconds and a striker that was prolific at scoring goals, Lobera played to the strengths of his key players and also ensured that they had possession through the game.
Often dominating possession, it is no surprise that Goa would win a majority of their matches finishing second in the league behind Bengaluru FC. Sergio Lobera is apparently being considered for the vacant national team manager spot and rightly so!
