ISL Team of the Week: Round 4
Jamshedpur FC managed their first three points of the campaign while FC Goa put five past the Kerala Blasters' defence. Let's take a look at the 11 players that impressed us the most in Round 4.
GK: Lalthuammawia Ralte (Bengaluru FC)
With Gurpreet Singh Sandhu suspended and Abhra Mondal out injured, Ralte was given his first ever start in the ISL and he didn't disappoint. The Mizo lad, who had also turned out for Bengaluru in the all important AFC Cup 2016 final, managed six saves in the game against NorthEast United.
He further punched the ball out of danger three times and also proved his aerial prowess by grabbing six crosses in the process of keeping a cleansheet.
CB: Inigo Calderon (Chennaiyin FC)
The Spaniard, who had previously won the League One in England with Brighton and Hove Albion, is seen as a defender who promises goals. After all, he has already scored twice in ISL 2017/18, including one in the last game against ATK, thus becoming the top scoring defender in ISL 2017/18.
Not only was he a threat going forward, he also managed to notch six clearances and also registered five blocks to his name.
CB: Sarthak Golui (FC Pune City)
The Indian U23 International continued his fine form in his second start, after impressing in his first against Delhi Dynamos where he even managed to assist Alfaro's goal. The former Mohun Bagan defender managed three clearances to his name against Jamshedpur FC and wasn't afraid to put his body on the line, blocking five shots. He was instrumental in helping FC Pune City keep their first clean sheet this season.
CB: Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Mumbai City FC)
The 33-year-old was coming up against his former side with whom he won the ISL in 2015. But he did them no favours and put on a fighting display to nullify the threat posed by the dangerous Rafi and Nworuh. He managed to clear the ball from the box thrice and blocked three of Chennaiyin's efforts on goal.
RM: Jackichand Singh (Kerala Blasters FC)
The Indian international's performance was one of the few positives for the Kerala Blasters in a match to forget against FC Goa. He was involved in both of Kerala Blasters' goals that evening, setting up Mark Sifneos for the opener and then slotting one himself. That meant that it was the first time in the ISL that he had scored and assisted in the same game.
CM: Adil Khan (FC Pune City)
The SESA academy product was FC Pune City's first pick in the draft leading up ISL 2017/18 after a successful campaign with Churchill Brothers in the 2017 I-League. After failing to grab a spot in the starting XI for the Stallions in the first three fixtures, the Goan in just his second start this season scored from a set-piece which Jamshedpur failed to clear away. His first ever goal in the ISL ensured three points for the Punekars.
CM: Manuel Lanzarote (FC Goa)
FC Goa have been the most entertaining side in ISL 2017/18, and one player that has made the side all the more exciting has been the Spaniard Manuel Lanzarote. The La Masia academy product has directly contributed to seven goals this season (four goals, three assists) - more than any other midfielder.
He was at his peak when FC Goa faced Kerala Blasters earlier this week, contributing to three of the five goals that FC Goa scored (two Goals, one assist).
LM: Zequinha (ATK)
The two time champions find themselves in unfamiliar territory, currently rooted to the bottom of the table. The key factor in their dissapointing season so far has been the lack of goals in their kitty.
But they seemed to have overcome that obstacle when they came up against Chennaiyin FC earlier this week, as Zequinha's strike triggered a series of attacks for the side from Kolkata. They were only denied a precious point away from home by Jeje's last minute strike.
RF: Miku (Bengaluru FC)
The Venezuelan international didn't have the best of starts in the ISL, failing to score off any of his three shots in Bengaluru FC's opening game against Mumbai City FC. Since then though, he has made everyone sit up and take notice by putting in some inspirational performances.
He has scored in all of Bengaluru FC's last three fitxures, including the recent tough fixture away from home against NorthEast United. He capitalized on a mistake from Rehenesh TP and slotted the ball home.
CF: Coro (FC Goa)
The ISL is known to be a platform for showcasing talent, and one such talent that has taken the league by storm is none other than Ferran Corominas. Thanks to Coro, FC Goa are currently sitting on top of the goal scorers' list with 13 goals to their name.
His hat-trick against Kerala Blasters meant that he became the first player to score back-to-back hat-tricks in the ISL. His seven-minute hat-trick was also the fastest by any player in ISL history.
LF: Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC)
The Mizo sniper had been a silent spectator in Chennaiyin's first few matches, failing to score or assist, but he turned up the heat when it mattered the most. He scored twice against ATK including the winner to give Chennaiyin their first ever win over ATK in the league stages of the ISL.