ISL 2018 | Best Indian Super League XI after second phase
The Indian Super League has seen their heroes changing almost every game week with players getting in and out of form very quickly. Even amidst this madness, there have been some who were able to hold their form over a period of three-four games, and they feature in our best XI of the second phase.
Goalkeeper
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu - While Francisco Dorronsoro might hog all the limelight with his acrobatic saves standing behind a leaky Delhi backline, there are very few custodians who could be credited with the ability to keep his team’s structure in shape. Bengaluru FC
Defence
Mailson Alves - The Brazilian
Lucian Goian - The four wins that have put Mumbai at the third position of the table have been 2-0, 2-0, 1-0, and 1-0. The matches have almost always seen Jorge Costa’s side having very little possession and defending relentlessly time and again. And the best example of that would be their last win away against NorthEast United. The Highlanders had poured in forwards for the most part of the game and Mumbai just staved them off each and every time. Leading their backline is Goian, who was unflinching in his determination and Eelco Schattorie must have lost count how many last
Nishu Kumar - Intelligent game reading, good tackler, a good idea of when to overlap and when to backtrack, and most importantly, having unparalleled stamina – a modern
Reagan Singh - Despite ending the second phase with a frustrating defeat that the Highlanders deserved to win, no one can take away Reagan Singh’s progress this season. Playing in the perfect buildup of Schattorie, the Manipur-born player hasn’t had the chance to go up much as most of the side’s attacks are through the middle. But his discipline has definitely caught eyes. He has played over 500 minutes in six games and is yet to be booked. With a passing accuracy of 73.33%, Reagan has exacted 20 tackles and averages 47.5 passes per game.
Midfield
Ahmed Jahouh - FC Goa don’t like to be short on performers at any position anytime soon. While their forward line looks more than sorted with the attackers firing all cylinders, Sergio Lobera also enjoys the luxury of having one of best defensive midfielders in the league. The most consistent performer in the league, Jahouh has been inch perfect with his long balls almost every time and he also doesn’t shy away from doing the dirty work ahead of the backline. The main reason Jackichand Singh has been in terrific form this season has been the Moroccan midfielder, whose diagonal balls fall at the Indian’s feet like blessings.
Raphael Augusto - Is his
Edu Bedia - Another candidate of the league leaders, Edu Bedia has easily been the best creator inside. Though his vision couldn’t get the required outcome in the absence of Ferran Corominas when FC Goa lost the match to Jamshedpur FC 4-1, his compatriot’s return to the side gave him wings. Though the match against Delhi Dynamos was a stern test, it was Bedia’s last-minute header that eventually gave Goa the league topping three points. And it is his awareness inside the box that makes the Spaniard extra special for a playmaker.
Arnold Issoko - What a turnaround the league has been for this man. From what seemed like one of the worst imports in the first few matches for Mumbai, the African has finally found his feet and has been destroying
Attack
Bartholomew Ogbeche - There are two horses in the race for the golden boot it seems with more than half of the season still left, which shows at what level the Nigerian is operating at the moment. After last season’s heroics, Ferran Corominas was expected to shine for FC Goa again but his closest competitor was mostly guessed as Miku
Ferran Corominas- There is no stopping this man. He doesn’t seem to be out of form at all. While Ogbeche has been more methodical in his approach in scoring goals, Coro has been a natural. The angles that he can exploit to put the ball at the back of the net is phenomenal. Lobera has further added an extra edge to his
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