ISL 2017/18: Team of the Week after Round 9
Delhi Dynamos stunned 2nd placed Bengaluru FC while Chennaiyin FC continued their dominance over FC Pune City as the Stallions fell to their first away defeat of the season. Iain Hume broke an array of records when he scored his 3rd hat-trick in ISL as the Blasters registered back to back away wins for the first time in ISL history. But who were the players that most impressed us? Let's find out.
GK: Karanjit Singh (CFC)
Chennaiyin FC managed a double over FC Pune City this season, keeping clean sheets in both games. One man who stood out in both performances was Karanjit Singh under the bar with his crucial saves and clearances. He impressed making three saves against a rampant Stallions attack, cleared the ball away thrice and was alert to the aerial danger, grabbing two crosses. Two of his four clean sheets this season have now come against FC Pune City.
CB: Pritam Kotal (DDFC)
The former Mohun Bagan fullback didn't have the best of seasons with his new club until recently. However, he redeemed himself in two games during Round 9. He started by bringing the Delhi Dynamos back on level terms against Kerala Blasters only to be denied by Iain Hume's hat-trick late in the game. He then kept Sunil Chhetri quiet in the game against Bengaluru FC, not only providing an assist to Chhangte but also creating two goalscoring chances for his side. He was solid at the back, managing a massive 9 defensive actions in the game.
CB: Sandesh Jhingan (KER)
The Chandigarh born defender who recently became the 1st Indian player to play 50 games in the ISL proved his class once again as he successfully marked the dangerous Balwant Singh at the Mumbai Football Arena to help the Blasters win back to back away games. His no-nonsense attitude helped him rack up 6 clearances. He wasn't afraid to put his body on the line, managing 2 tackles and a couple of blocks to his name. This came after he had put up a fighting performance in Delhi against the Dynamos where he managed an incredible 9 clearances.
CB: Keegan Pereira (ATK)
ATK are one of the two sides to concede goals in single digits this season and majority of it has come down to the impressive performances of fullback duo of Prabir Das & Keegan Pereira. The Mumbai born lad put in a fighting performance against the Highlanders managing an incredible 81 touches in the game. He contributed to building out from the back managing 70 passes and with his constant overlapping, provided 5 crosses.
RM: Trindade Goncalves (JFC)
The Brazilian was playing against his former side when the men of steel travelled to Goa. But it didn't stop him from scoring his second goal of the season. His goal brought Jamshedpur back in the game before Lanzarote added the Gaurs' second to deny Jamshedpur a precious point away from Home.
CM: Vinit Rai (DDFC)
The Tata Football Academy product was making a comeback in the XI against Bengaluru, but he was sublime on the ball as always, managing an incredible 55 passes at an impressive accuracy of 80%. He read the game perfectly managing 2 interceptions and also helped his side defensively with 2 blocks.
CM: Lallianzuala Chhangte (DDFC)
The DSK Shivajians-Liverpool Academy graduate took the ISL by storm scoring and assisting in the same game against FC Pune City in Delhi's opening game. But since then he has blown hot & cold and couldn't really replicate his opening match form. He bounced back in perfect fashion against Bengaluru FC, managing 5 shots, creating 2 chances and scoring the opening goal for the Dynamos which allowed the Lions to take revenge of their 4-1 defeat against Bengaluru in their previous meeting.
LM: Zequinha (ATK)
The former Portuguese U-20 international has been a livewire in the ATK side that has looked lack lustred at times this season. He produced a great strike against NorthEast United that ensured all 3 points for ATK. He has now played a part in two of ATK's 3 wins this season, setting up Robin Singh for the winner against Mumbai City FC before scoring one himself against NorthEast United.
AM: Manuel Lanzarote (FCG)
The Top scoring midfielder this season, Manuel Lanzarote continued his fine form against Jamshedpur ensuring that FC Goa bagged all three points after their barren run where they collected just 1 point from their previous 3 matches. He was lethal against the men of steel, scoring two goals from his 3 shots on target.
AM: Gregory Nelson (CFC)
The pacey winger who trained under the legendary Louis Van Gaal had his moments in the ISL going close to scoring on many occasions but finally made it big when scored the winner against the Stallions to ensure all 3 points for Chennaiyin. What was fascinating was his composure in front of goal, the confidence to take that extra touch inside the box to trick past Gurtej Singh and to curl it in the corner.
FW: Iain Hume (KER)
The all-time ISL top scorer faced heavy criticism for his rather mediocre performances during the initial games of the season. But bounced back in perfect fashion by becoming the first player to score 3 hat-tricks when he scored one against Delhi Dynamos to give Kerala Blasters all three points away from home for the first time this season. He followed that by a cheeky finish in the bottom corner from a quickly taken free-kick against Mumbai City FC which meant that Kerala Blasters registered back to back away wins for the first time in ISL history.