ISL Team of the Week: Matchweek 1
After a successful first season, Indian Super League 2015 kicked off in style last week. The first week witnessed some intriguing matches with a number of goals being scored. In the nine matches played so far, as many as 23 goals were scored at an average of 2.36 goals per match.Six points from two matches against Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United have seen David Platt's side sit on top of the table with six points. Kerala Blasters, Atletico de Kolkata and FC Goa are second, third and fourth respectively with four pointsPortuguese star Helder Postiga's brace helped the defending ISL champions pull off their first victory of the season. He later sustained a major injury forcing him out for atleast a month. The Kolkata-based outfit settled for a 1-1 draw against FC Goa, after Keenan Almedia’s 81st minute goal helped Goa to cancel Arata Izumi’s first-minute goal in their second match. FC Goa sealed their first win of the season by defeating Delhi Dynamos 2-0 in the opening match at home. After drawing 1-1 with the ATK side at home, Zico’s side had a major setback when they were humiliated 4-0 by Chennaiyin FC on Sunday.Last season's table toppers, Chennaiyin FC after struggling in the first two matches, bounced back strongly against FC Goa in the third match.NorthEast United is the only club without a point so far and they are placed at the bottom of the table. A goalless draw against Kerala Blasters has seen Mumbai City pick their first point of the match and are seventh on the table.So who makes it to the team of the week? We’ve used a 4-4-2 formation to show you.
#1 Goalkeeper
Stephen Bywater
The experienced keeper, who has played for as many as thirteen English clubs throughout his career was very impressive this week. His commanding presence at the back for the Kerala Blasters side provided a lot of confidence to the team’s defensive line. Bywater made a brilliant one is to one save denying North East United striker Nicholas Valez in the first match. Surely the day’s best save.
He kept up his good performance against Mumbai City FC making a couple of very good saves especially from striker Sony Norde. With vast experience, the Enlish goalkeeper has ideally taken up the role of a leader in the Blasters team.