ISL 2017/18: Combined XI of Round 10
The Week 10 of the ISL witnessed Jamshedpur FC post back to back victories for the first time while Seminlen Doungel became the first player to score a hat-trick for NorthEast United FC. More importantly, 12 of the 22 goals were scored by Indians in the six games that were played. With plenty of players impressing us, it's time to pick the XI that kept us on the edge of our seats.
GK: Vishal Kaith (FC Pune City)
The 21-year-old AIFF Elite academy product sits comfortably on the top of the Golden Glove charts this season. He had a perfect outing against ATK, becoming the only keeper to manage a clean sheet in the entire week. He saved both the shots he faced and was alert to the aerial threat possessed by ATK, grabbing eight crosses.
CB: Tiri (Jamshedpur FC)
The 2016 ISL winner proved why he was handed the armband by Steve Coppell, bringing his side back in the contest after they had gone down by two goals against the Delhi Dynamos. It was his header in the 29th minute that triggered a comeback, a game which Jamshedpur went on to win 3-2.
CB: Reagan Singh (NorthEast United FC)
The Manipuri full back probably had his best game in the NorthEast jersey against Chennaiyin FC. He tirelessly ran down the flank with his no-nonsense attitude, racking up five clearances to his name. Despite his diminutive nature, he never backed away from the challenges, registering four blocks to his name.
CB: Raju Yumnam (Jamshedpur FC)
The 28-year-old fullback has found playing time hard to come by this season, but he took full advantage of just his second start this season, scoring a pile driver in the top corner to help Jamshedpur draw level against Delhi Dynamos. He was a constant threat going forward, sending in three crosses in the whole game.
DM: Adil Khan (FC Pune City)
The 29-year-old Goanese is enjoying his second stint in the city, having played for the now-defunct Bharat FC in 2014-15 I-League season. He scored his fourth goal for the Stallions against ATK in just his ninth game. Three of his four goals this season have been the opening goals of the respective matches, which displays his ability to rise to the occasion. He was solid in the middle against ATK, putting his body on the line with five tackles to his name.
CM: Edu Bedia (FC Goa)
FC Goa are no doubt the passing side in the ISL this season and the orchestrator himself, Edu Bedia got his name on the scoresheet for the first time. His strike shut down any chance of a Kerala win as he gave FC Goa the lead late in the game after Vineeth had brought the home side back in the match. He was busy throughout the game, managing 98 passes at an incredible accuracy of 90% and also created two chances.
CM: Jerry Mawihmingthanga (Jamshedpur FC)
The DSK-Liverpool Academy product had grabbed the limelight by scoring the fastest ever goal in ISL, in just 22.6 seconds against Kerala Blasters. He backed that up by putting a peach of a delivery which was latched on to by Tiri who headed the ball home against Delhi Dynamos. The youngster has either scored or assisted in the last four games for Jamshedpur.
RM: Seiminlen Doungel (NorthEast United)
Doungel decided to carry NorthEast United's pride on his own shoulders as he scored the first ever hat-trick by a NorthEast United player in the game against Chennaiyin FC and helped NorthEast United manage their third win of the season. Interestingly, four of his five goals in the ISL have come against Chennaiyin FC.
LM: Diego Carlos (FC Pune City)
The Brazilian has been a livewire in the midfield for the Stallions this season, and after rattling the crossbar in Pune's match against Chennaiyin FC, he managed to score against ATK from a similar position, cutting in from the left and bending the ball in the corner. He assured FC Pune City of all three points by scoring the second goal for his side against ATK. He was lively on the flank, crossing the ball five times and also creating three goal-scoring chances.
FW: Kalu Uche (Delhi Dynamos)
Victories have evaded the Dynamos this season but they thought to have found one when Kalu Uche produced two top quality headers to give them a two-goal lead against Jamshedpur. However, it was once again a case of poor defending by the Dynamos as they couldn't hold on to their lead and let in three strikes.
FW: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
The Indian captain was playing against his former side Mumbai City FC, but he showed them no mercy as he scored a brace at the Mumbai Football Arena to silence the home crowd. With this strike, the Indian captain has now climbed to the top of the Indian goalscorers' list having increased his tally to seven.