ISL 2017: Team of the week after Round 3
Round 3 of the ISL witnessed NorthEast United open their account for the season with an away win over the Delhi Dynamos while the Kerala Blasters too found the back of the net for the first time this season.
But who were the players that made everyone sit up and take notice? Let's find out.
GK: TP Rehenesh (NorthEast United FC)
The Kerala-born lad has been a vital cog in the NorthEast United setup since Season 1 and he once again proved why the Highlanders retained him for Season 4 by pulling off some stunning saves against the Dynamos to ensure all three points for the first time this season. It also meant that he has now managed 11 clean sheets in the ISL, with only Subrata Paul(16) having managed more.
RB: Prabir Das (ATK)
The road has been really tough for the defending champions this season, but the one man who once again stood out with his maturity and his ability to read play was none other than Prabir Das. He managed an incredible 10 defensive actions in 90 minutes against Jamshedpur (8 clearances, 1 block, 1 interception) highlighting his dominance in defence and also contributed to attack by chipping in with 2 crosses.
CB: Henrique Sereno (Chennaiyin FC)
The Portuguese international who won the ISL with ATK last season, was trusted to lead the Marina Machans' defence this season and has done job quite smoothly till date with Chennaiyin not conceding a goal in the last 232 minutes in the ISL., especially against Pune, when he was coming up against Emiliano Alfaro who had scored 4 goals in his previous 3 matches. Not only did he keep Alfaro and Marcelinho quiet but also chipped in with the goal to give all 3 points to Chennaiyin FC.
CB: Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur FC)
The centre-back has reunited with Steve Coppell this season at Jamshedpur FC after he had previously played under Coppell at Reading in the English Premier League. Bikey, who was sent-off in Jamshedpur's first game in the ISL this season, came back strongly and was rock solid against ATK, thus helping Jamshedpur keep the record of being the only side that is yet to concede a goal in the ISL this season.
LB: Lalruatthara (Kerala Blasters)
The 22-year-old Mizo lad has impressed in his first stint with the Blasters this season with his runs down the flanks and ability to soak up pressure. He was particularly impressive going forward for the Blasters in their 1-1 draw against the Islanders, managing 7 crosses in the game and also creating two chances for his side to take the lead.
CM: Marcinho (NorthEast United)
Marcio de Souza Gregório Júnior, commonly known as Marcinho, looked the most threatening player on the pitch for the Highlanders and there were no surprises when he opened the scoring in the 17th minute against the Dynamos, recording NorthEast United's first goal in the ISL. He has already managed 7 shots so far in the ISL, the most by any NorthEast united player despite being a midfielder.
CM: Erik Paartalu (Bengaluru FC)
Bengaluru FC's setpieces are like a box of chocolates, you never know what to expect and when it comes to Erik Paartalu's aerial ability too, you never know when he would pop-up inside the opposition box. The 6 ft 4 inches-tall frame of Paartalu once again rose high to meet the corner delivered by Edu Garcia. His header met with power and beat the keeper to give Bengaluru FC a route back in the game against FC Goa. Unfortunately, it was too much of a task for the Blues with a man down in the end.
LW: Balwant Singh (Mumbai City FC)
A bright career that was threatened by injuries, Balwant Singh headed to Season 4 of the ISL after missing the previous edition due to injury. But the inaugural Indian goal scorer scored his first ISL goal after 3 years with a blistering effort against FC Pune City. He then added to his tally by bringing Mumbai City FC back into the game by scoring the equalizer against the Blasters.
RW: Halicharan Narzary (NorthEast United)
The Assamese has been the mainstay of Constantine's plans in recent past with his pace and the ability to cut past the opposition defence. The silky winger lit up the show against the Lions when he ran past their defence and swirled in a perfect cross for Marcinho as he scored NorthEast United's opening goal in the ISL.
FW: Miku (Bengaluru FC)
Miku came in with a pedigree of scoring goals, after all he had turned up more than 50 times for the Venezuelan national side. After struggling to find his goal scoring boots in the initial couple of games for Bengaluru FC, he provided the perfect answer to his critics by scoring a brace against FC Goa, which included a brilliant solo effort when he skipped past two FC Goa defenders before chipping over the onrushing Laxmikant Kattimani.
FW: Coro (FC Goa)
The first goalscorer of the ISL season 4 also became the first hat-trick scorer of this edition when he scored 3 goals within 65 minutes to hand Bengaluru FC their first defeat of the season. This came after Bengaluru had pulled off a stunning comeback to equalize with 10 men and threatened to pull an upset.