ISL 2017/18: Team of the Week after Round 12
The week 12 of the ISL saw the 1st draw in 23 games while Mandar Rao Dessai became the 1st FC Goa player to play 50 ISL games.
Bengaluru FC were the only side to keep a clean sheet with Coro equaling Mendoza's record tally of 13 goals in an ISL season.
But who were the players that stood out? Let's find out.
GK: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)
India's number 1 has had a mixed time in his inaugural ISL campaign, pulling off some stunning saves, but the Punjab-born lad has also received criticism for his offbeat performances. However, he was at his best when ATK faced off against the Blues, saving all 4 of the shots that he faced, while also staying alert to the danger by punching the ball out 4 times. His impressive performance earned him just his 3rd clean sheet this season.
CB: Souvik Chakrabarti (Jamshedpur FC)
The midfielder turned defender achieved the record of playing every minute of Delhi Dynamos' campaign last season in the league stages and he continued to impress this season as well, playing all 14 matches of Jamshedpur's campaign. He was at his best against Mumbai City FC, soaking up the pressure as the Islanders went on a wave of attacks. He managed an incredible 13 defensive actions in the game, while also contributed in attack with 2 crosses.
CB: Jose Goncalves (NorthEast United FC)
The Portuguese has lived up to the expectations set by Avram Grant, and proved exactly why he still wears the armband, putting up a fighting display against a free-flowing FC Goa attack. He not only marked Lanzarote well & in the process, forced him to play out wide, but he marshalled his defence & with his no-nonsense attitude, racked up 8 clearances in the game helping NorthEast United pick a crucial point away from home.
CB: Subhasish Bose (Bengaluru FC)
The former Mohun Bagan wingback who was born in Kolkata was playing at his home venue when ATK took on Bengaluru, but he didn't allow the added pressure of playing in front of his home crowd take over him, as he read the game perfectly, managing 4 interceptions. He also helped his team buildout from the back, managing an incredible passing accuracy of 83%.
RM: Jackichand Singh (Kerala Blasters FC)
Jackichand Singh was coming up against his former side with whom he started his ISL career, FC Pune City. But he showed them no mercy when he struck a beauty past Vishal Kaith in the corner to give Kerala Blasters the much-deserved lead against the Stallions. He was on fire throughout the game, firing in 5 crosses and also created two chances.
CM: Marcinho ( NorthEast United FC)
If there is one player that can be highlighted in NorthEast United's dismal campaign this season, it will be Brazilian, Marcinho. After all, he has had a hand in 50% of the goals they have scored this season (4G, 1A). He continued his bright form against FC Goa, managing 4 shots on target including a well-taken goal. He was a lynchpin while going forward, managing 51 passes in the game.
CM: Erik Paartalu ( Bengaluru FC)
The 6 feet 4 inches towering Australian has been the centre of Bengaluru FC's success this season, proving to be a rock in the middle to break opposition attacks and also displaying his aerial prowess while scoring some crucial goals at the other end. However, with the game poised at 1-0 with ATK threatening with a comeback, it was Paartalu's ball that setup Miku for Bengaluru's 2nd and hence, ensured 3 points on the road for the Blues.
LM: Mandar Rao Dessai (FC Goa)
The Goan was playing his 50th game for the Gaurs and added some joy to his milestone by scoring the opener in the 42nd minute. He further backed his goal by crossing thrice in the game. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as NorthEast staged an impressive comeback to deny Goa all 3 points on Mandar's special day.
RW: Marcelinho (FC Pune City)
The diminutive star has been the focal point of Pune's fortunes this season, often turning provider & in the process, racking up 7 assists, the most by any player this season. However, it was a case of running out of any sort of luck against Kerala Blasters, as two of his shots hit the woodwork, while he also created 3 goalscoring chances for his side.
LW: CK Vineeth (Kerala Blasters FC)
The Kannur lad saved Kerala Blasters in the dying minutes to draw level against Chennaiyin FC, and once again stood up and delivered when it mattered the most against FC Pune City ensuring that Kerala Blasters stay in the hunt for the Top 4. He created 2 chances in the game and also managed a total of 3 shots.
CF: Coro (FC Goa)
Undoubtedly, one of the most lethal target man the ISL has ever seen, the Spanish wizard has already equalled Stiven Mendoza's tally of 13 goals in an ISL season, that too even after playing 4 matches lesser than Colombian's tally in ISL 2015. He was on song against NorthEast United, managing to get Goa into the lead, he managed 2 shots in the game, with both of them being on target.