ISL 2017: Team of the week after Round 6
The Round 6 of the ISL saw ATK win their first home game of the season while FC Goa failed to score in a match for the first time this season.
In the list dominated by Indians, let's check the 11 players that impressed the most!
GK: Subrata Paul (JFC)
The Spiderman of India once again produced a prolific display under the bar to prevent the rampant Bengaluru from scoring in a game for the first time this season and in the process, kept his 5th clean sheet in just 6 matches. He managed 7 saves against Bengaluru, his most in a match this season.
RB: Souvik Chakrabarti (JFC)
The Kolkata-born defender known for his no non-nonsense attitude and tireless running put up a fighting display against Bengaluru & successfully managed to keep the in-form Sunil Chhetri, who had scored in the previous two games, quiet for most part of the game. He helped his team in attack managing 2 crosses and successfully managed 10 defensive contributions in the game. (7 Clearances, 2 Interceptions, 1 Block)
CB: Gurtej Singh (FCPC)
A lot was spoken about the FC Pune City back-line which had leaked numerous goals thanks to some poor defending. But the Stallions put up a great display against FC Goa not only managing to take all three points but also preventing FC Goa from scoring in a game for the first time this season.
The man who was in the thick of action marking the current Golden Boot leader Coro was Gurtej Singh, who managed a whopping 8 clearances and successfully negated the threat possessed by the duo of Coro & Lanzarote with his great physical ability.
CB: Tom Thorpe (ATK)
The Manchester United academy product didn't have the best of starts to his ISL career, managing to give away the ball for Pune's opening goal in Kolkata due to which ATK succumbed to their first defeat of the season. Since then, he has grown and looks to have settled in the ATK lineup and was a rock at the back when they came up against the Lions who were looking to get their campaign back on track.
He was strong in the air and his no-nonsense attitude helped him manage 5 clearances and wasn't afraid to put his body on the line chipping in with crucial tackles.
LB: Abinash Ruidas (MCFC)
The winger turned defender has enjoyed his time with the new club and continued to impress in the Islanders' latest game against NorthEast United. He managed a high passing accuracy of 80% and helped the team going forward with 5 crosses. His lean stature didn't prevent him from putting his body on the line with 5 tackles and also created 2 chances for his side.
RM: CK Vineeth (KBFC)
The man whose goal gave all 3 points to Kerala Blasters in their last game against NorthEast United helped his side salvage a point against the Marina Machans, getting on the end of a beautifully laid pass by Sandesh Jhingan. He was lively in front of goal, managing 3 shots in the game despite playing in the midfield for the most part.
CM: Jonatan Lucca (FCPC)
The FC Pune City super sub scored his first ever goal for FC Pune City after coming on as a substitute in the 70th minute against his former side in what was his first goal in the ISL after 776 days. His goal ensured all three points for the Stallions and ended any hope of FC Goa's comeback.
CM: Adil Khan (FCPC)
The local lad was coming up against FC Goa at a venue where he has had a lot of memories in the past, but it didn't prevent him from putting a fighting display to stop the Gaurs' duo of Ahmed Jahouh and Edu Bedia to combine and create chances for FC Goa.
His constant physical play and man marking resulted in Jahouh being unable to play his passing game which resulted in him being a frustrated figure in the middle of the park and was on the verge of being sent off before Lobera subbed him off early in the second half.
LM: Balwant Singh (MCFC)
The Mahilpur academy product continued his fine form in front of goal and bagged his first ever brace in the ISL by scoring twice against a lacklustre NorthEast United side and in the process became the Indian top scorer in the current edition.
He has already managed 4 goals this season, interestingly, he had only managed to score once in his first two seasons, proving his improved qualities as a striker.
AM: Trindade Goncalves (JFC)
The former FC Goa medio put up a tireless display in midfield against the Blues and impressed with his reading of the game managing 3 interceptions. He troubled Gurpreet Singh Sandhu managing 3 shots with all three of them being on target and scored at the death to give Jamshedpur FC their 2nd win away from home.
FW: Robbie Keane (ATK)
The Republic of Ireland top-scorer scored his first goal for ATK in spectacular fashion, twisting and turning before slotting it past Arnab Das Sharma into the corner to give ATK their first three points at home.
One of the qualities that has always defined Keane has been the fact that despite being a spectator for most of the game, he can give his side the vital goal which turns 1 points into 3 and did just that against the Dynamos. He scored a goal after managing just 2 shots in the entire game in which he managed just 31 touches of the ball.