ISL 2017: Team of the Week - Round 5
The Round 5 of the Indian Super League saw ATK and Kerala Blasters manage their first wins of the season against Mumbai City FC and North East United respectively while Bengaluru FC suffered their first home defeat at the hands of a resurgent Chennaiyin FC.
Records were shattered when Ferran Corominas became the all time top scorer of FC Goa despite playing just 5 matches and Iain Hume became the first player to play 50 matches in the ISL. But who were the 11 players that stood out during last week? Let's find out.
GK: Debjit Majumder (ATK)
The defending champions haven't had the best of starts to an ISL season and badly needed a win to bring back their lost confidence. The two time I-league goalkeeper of the year put up his best performance of the campaign so far against Mumbai City FC managing 5 saves in the game including a couple of blinders towards the end to ensure that the Kolkata side traveled back with all three points in their kitty.
Despite his short stature, he managed to punch out the ball 4 times from danger summing up his all-round performance in the encounter.
CB: Rino Anto (Kerala Blasters FC)
The Yellow Army were seeking redemption after a thumping defeat to the Gaurs and the side managed by Rene Meulensteen put up a perfect display in front of their own fans to manage their first three points of the season.
What was extra special was the fact that two local lads combined to score the opener which proved to be the winner in the end. Rino Anto's perfectly curled in delivery was guided in the back of the net by Vineeth.
Rino also read the game perfectly managing 4 interceptions and wasn't afraid to put his body on the line, managing 3 blocks to his name.
CB: Mailson Alves (Chennaiyin FC)
The 2015 ISL winner was rock solid for Chennaiyin FC in their win over Bengaluru FC in a crucial encounter away from home. He managed an incredible 15 defensive actions in the game, racking up 12 clearances, 2 interceptions & a block. He deservedly walked away with the Man of the Match for his performance.
CB: Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters FC)
The former Manchester United centre back started in an unfamiliar midfield position for the Blasters in his very first game, but looked absolutely comfortable in his new role and adopted to the conditions of Kochi quickly controlling the pace of the game with his dictating play.
Brown managed to spread the ball around at an accuracy of 76% and put in all his years of experience in reading the game, managing 3 interceptions to his name.
DM: Dhanpal Ganesh (Chennaiyin FC)
The 23-year-old Pune FC academy product actually didn't play a game till ISL 2017/18 despite being with the Chennaiyin squad for the past couple of seasons. He didn't feature in Chennaiyin's opening game but was drafted in to face NorthEast United and the lanky midfielder hasn't looked back since.
Ganesh has never backed away from a challenge and his never say die attitude has made him a fan favorite among the Marina Machans fans. Not only did he score the winner for Chennaiyin against Bengaluru, but also put in a defensive shift acting as a perfect shield for Mailson Alves and Henrique Sereno. His ability to read the opponent's pass helped him manage 4 interceptions to his name.
CM: CK Vineeth (Kerala Blasters FC)
The Kannur born lad had been vital to Kerala Blasters' fortunes last season after he came back from AFC Cup 2016, scoring 5 times as he helped them finish as finalists. After a rather mediocre start to ISL 2017/18, he proved why the Yellow Army love him so much, guiding a perfect cross from Rino Anto into the back of the net. His goal proved to be the difference between both sides as Kerala Blasters went on to seal all three points for the first time this season.
CM: Adil Khan (FC Pune City)
If there needs to be an example of how a player should fight back after a long injury layoff, you have found your answer in Adil Khan. After suffering several injuries throughout his career, FC Pune City was Adil Khan's second ISL franchise after playing for the Dynamos in 2014.
Adil was a solid figure in midfield for the Stallions and gave them the lead for the second consecutive game when he headed in Isaac's cross from the left. He was slotted in defence after Baljit's red card and did a decent job managing 4 clearances and a block to his name.
RM: Manuel Arana (FC Goa)
The Spanish winger was brought on for the final few minutes against the Dynamos and he thrashed Delhi's tiny hopes of a comeback by managing 3 goal contributions within the space of 15 minutes. It was his cross that was turned in by Pritam Kotal before setting up Adrian Colunga and he himself gave Dynamos the final jolt by scoring the 5th for FC Goa.
LM: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
The Captain, Leader, Legend and now Husband, didn't really have the best of campaigns till week 5, scoring just once in 4 games. But he silenced his critics against FC Pune City, not only adding Bengaluru's third but managing to keep all his three efforts on target while turning supplier, crossing the ball thrice in the game. He once again stepped up and brought Bengaluru level against Chennaiyin FC, only to be denied by a late goal from Ganesh.
SC: Coro (FC Goa)
The Spanish goal machine who became the fastest hattrick scorer in the history of ISL & the first player to score consecutive hattricks, continued his goal scoring instincts, opening the floodgates for FC Goa against Delhi Dynamos before being subbed off due to an injury. With 8 goals to his name, he is now the all time top scorer for FC Goa, all this after playing just 5 games.
SC: Miku (Bengaluru FC)
The former Valencia target man continued his goal scoring form against FC Pune City, scoring in the 4th consecutive game. He hardly got any service in the first half and was an non existent figure until Baljit got sent-off.
Roca's calculated substitutions coupled with a man down meant Miku made merry in the second half as he turned the fortunes for Bengaluru scoring 2 goals from just 2 shots. After a silent encounter against Chennaiyin FC where he touched the ball just 26 times, he will be looking to bounce back.