ISL: Indian players rule team of the week for Matchweek 14

The final match week of the year at the eleventh season of the Indian Super League (ISL) offered many great and entertaining games, from high-scoring matches to hard-fought draws. 

The table-toppers, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Bengaluru FC continued their winning run, widening their gap from the chasing teams, while teams like Hyderabad and Mohammedan SC ended their big losing streaks with hard-fought draws.

This week, the Indian players have impressed a lot, scoring crucial goals and providing precise crosses. The forwards like Irfan Yadwad and Sunil Chhetri continued their goal-scoring threats at the southern derby.

Here is the Team of the Week for Matchweek 14:

Goalkeeper

Albino Gomes - Jamshedpur FC

Gomes continued to impress this season for Jamshedpur, ending his long wait for a clean sheet, that too against an attacking side like Kerala Blasters, finding four brilliant saves including a couple from close range.

He has also became the first keeper to complete 50 saves this season with 53 saves in 12 matches. He has an average of 4.4 saves per match, proving his consistency in the ongoing season.

Defenders

Vanlalzuidika - Mohammedan SC

Mohammedan SC finally broke their five-match losing streak this week, holding Odisha FC to a goalless draw.

Vanlalzuidika, also known as Zuidika, played a key role in this match for the side, with his solid defending from the right flank by winning eight of the 12 duels against a strong attacking trio of Odisha FC.

Stephen Eze - Jamshedpur FC

The Nigerian defender has proved to be a wall for Jamshedpur FC and has continuously impressed this season with his solid physical game, resulting in a clean sheet this week against Kerala Blasters.

He had a hundred percent record in the aerial duels this week, winning all eight of those, and denied any set-piece threat provided by one of the best playmakers of the league, Adrian Luna.

Alberto Rodríguez - Mohun Bagan

The tall Spanish defender, Alberto Rodriguez has a solid presence in Mohun Bagan's goal-scoring charts as he already scored four goals this season, including a brace this week against Punjab FC.

His brace helped the Mariners to register a come-from-behind victory, maintaining their lead at the top of the league table. He also has a solid presence in the defensive set-up of the team.

Manoj Mohammed - Hyderabad FC

The young left-back of Hyderabad FC had a great outing this week, scoring his maiden ISL goal and ending his team's run of five straight losses with a 1-1 draw against East Bengal.

He also supported his defense against the quick wingers of the Red and Gold Brigade and scored a late winner in the 90th minute to snatch a point from them.

Midfielders

Anirudh Thapa - Mohun Bagan SG

The India international, Anirudh Thapa, showed his experience in the midfield, winning a lot of loose balls to allow Mohun Bagan Super Giant in creating quick counter-attacks with his precise passes.

He also made an assist for Alberto, with an accurate cross in the penalty box of Punjab FC, solidifying a two-goal lead for the team with just 20 minutes to go.

Jeakson Singh - East Bengal FC

The young Indian midfielder is enjoying his best goal-scoring season of the ISL, as he scored his second goal of the season for East Bengal against Hyderabad FC this week.

He created a couple of accurate long balls for the forwards but they failed to convert them. Later, he took responsibility on his shoulders and scored a goal in the second half to take the lead.

Alaeddine Ajaraie - Northeast United

The Moroccan maestro, after a few unsatisfactory games, has returned back to his goal-scoring streak and scored in his second consecutive match to become Northeast's highest-ever goal-scorer.

He scored a brace against Mumbai City FC  and took his team to the top four of the standings. He further extended his lead in the Golden Boot race and now has 14 goals this season.

Nickson Macarton - Northeast United

Nickson Macarton had a very good outing this week against Mumbai City, producing a lot of accurate long balls, including one assist for Ajaraie in the second half.

He also scored a goal in the final few minutes to confirm a dominating victory for his side against a solid team.

Forwards

Ryan Williams - Bengaluru FC

Ryan Williams scored a goal in the third consecutive game for Bengaluru FC and this time he made it even special as he scored a brace against Chennaiyin FC in the southern derby.

He also made an assist in the match for Sunil Chhetri, helping his side to win a high-scoring affair. He now has eight goal contributions for his club this season with five goals and three assists in just seven matches.

Irfan Yadwad - Chennaiyin FC

The young Indian striker, Irfan Yadwad, scored his third goal of the season this week against Bengaluru FC and became the second joint-most Indian goal-scorer of the season.

He had created a lot more chances in the match but those were well-saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. He now has five goal contributions and will be trying to further increase this in the coming week.