ISL Team of the Week – Round 10

This was a week of contrasting results with the likes of Kerala Blasters, North East United, Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa all winning one game and losing the other. Nicolas Anelka-led Mumbai City had a torrid time and if they do not make it to the last four, they will look back at the two games played this week as the turning points.On the other hand, Atletico de Kolkata enjoyed a decent run, winning both games and thereby asserting their place in the top four. Both Pune and Delhi are very much in the running for the semifinal berths as the tournament enters its final phase.Plenty of goals were scored in this week and hence we have gone with an attacking 4-3-3 formation for this week’s Team of the Week.

#1 Goalkeeper

Amrinder has been a reassuring presence in the Atletico goal

Amrinder Singh

The Atletico custodian was solid for his side in goal. Against Chennaiyin FC, he made some crucial saves and prevented them from scoring. Apart from that, his distribution was fantastic as his side cruised to a 2-1 win over Marco Materazzi’s men.

Amrinder also played a key role in his side’s win over FC Goa, denying Dudu Omagnemi and Leo Moura early on. His overall performance in the two games and the clean sheet against FC Goa enables him to earn his place in our Team of the Week.

#2 Defence

John Arne Riise has been integral to Delhi’s great defensive record

Rino Anto

The Bengaluru FC man probably had his best outing in the ISL against Chennaiyin. Atletico created a host of chances down the right in that game and Anto was one of the key men behind it.

He linked up well with Samheeg Doutie and that eventually led to his side’s second goal. Anto also dropped back and helped keep out the opposition attackers as his side claimed three points.

Anas Edathodika

Anas put in a decent shift for the Delhi Dynamos as they beat Pune City 3-1. He is known to be a hardworking and no-nonsense defender and he lived up to that reputation. He was rock solid at the back and hardly gave away anything. He even ventured forward and was rewarded for his efforts with a goal in the 40th minute.

The Dynamos management have invested a lot of money in this defender and his performances would certainly make them happy.

John Arne Riise

The Norwegian has been a key player for the Delhi Dynamos this season and his performance against Pune further showed how crucial he is for the team.

Riise was rock solid at the back, denying the likes of Kalu Uche and Sanli Tuncay. At the back, he has played the role of a leader guiding the likes of Anas and Souvik. For all his work in defence, it was nice to see him get a goal late on in the game.

Dhanachandra Singh

Dhana, as he is widely known, had a game to forget against Atletico. However, he redeemed himself with a top notch performance at home against Kerala.

His goal against the men in yellow set the ball rolling as his side cruised to a 4-1 win. Playing down the left wing, he linked up well and at the back, defended really well, preventing the opponent from making inroads.

#3 Midfield

Doutie has added some much-needed inventiveness and pace to the Kolkata midfield

Samheeg Doutie

The South African was possibly the star of the week, putting in two top-notch performances against Goa and Chennai. Against Materazzi’s men, he opened the scoring and created another late on for Iain Hume.

On Sunday, he was at his absolute best, scoring two goals and creating another as his side romped to 4-0 win over Zico’s FC Goa. Over the past week, the South African has affirmed his status as a fan favourite and holds the key for his side in the matches coming up.

Harmanjot Khabra

The midfielder put in a good shift against Kerala and was key to their win. He passed the ball around well and kept the likes of Mehtab Hussain and Josu at bay. He even created his side’s third goal en route to a 4-1 thumping of Kerala Blasters.

Chennai have some tough matches coming up and Khabra holds the key as Materazzi’s men make a push for that top four spot.

Diomansy Kamara

The NorthEast United man scored the second goal for his side in their 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC. The former Fulham man has been a key player for his side this season. Apart from the passing and the chances that he created, his work rate was brilliant.

All in all, it was a complete performance from him and that ensures his place in our Team of the Week, as he forms the attacking component of the midfield.

#4 Attack

John Stiven Mendoza has continued his goalscoring run in the league

John Stiven Mendoza

After having been left on the bench against Atletico, Mendoza responded with a hat-trick against Kerala Blasters. He was the destroyer-in-chief as his side thrashed Terry Phelan’s men.

Mendoza put in a complete display, scoring three goals and helping out the midfield time and again. He was a constant menace for the Kerala backline, who could not deal with him. The forward scored his second hat-trick of the season and would have to play equally well in the other games if Chennai are to make the semis.

Dudu Omagbemi

The former East Bengal and Mohun Bagan star had a night to forget against Atletico. But against Mumbai, he put in a world class performance.

Having just been signed by Goa, Dudu responded with a hat-trick as his side mauled Mumbai 7-0. Apart from the three goals, he was involved in another of the goals. His performance against Mumbai earns him a place in our Team of the Week.

Thongkhosiem Haokip

Dudu’s partner up front enjoyed a brilliant night as his side defeated Mumbai 7-0. Haokip scored a hat-trick and tested the Mumbai defence throughout the match.

He played the role of a typical poacher as he pounced on a mistake by the Mumbai defence to score the 100th goal of Hero ISL 2015. Haokip used his strength and skill very well and linked up well with his teammates, helping Goa attack incessantly. His display at home ensures his place on our Team of the Week.