ISL: Indian youngsters lead the Team of the Week for match week 8

The Indian Super League (ISL) heads into its second international break of the season following an intense Matchweek 8, highlighted by a historic milestone as the league completed its 1000th game.

Bengaluru FC held onto their lead at the top with a hard-fought draw against Northeast United FC, while East Bengal FC earned their first point of the season in a dramatic 0-0 derby draw with Mohammedan SC.

Alaaeddine Ajaraie continued his sensational form with another brace, while promising Indian talents like Nathan Rodrigues and Korou Singh stood out with impressive performances.

Here’s The Bridge’s Team of the Week for Matchweek 8:

Goalkeeper

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill - East Bengal FC

The young East Bengal keeper had a challenging season but finally secured his first clean sheet in this week’s derby against Mohammedan SC.

Playing with only nine men on the field, he faced intense pressure from Mohammedan's attackers and made five crucial saves, skillfully commanding the defense and managing high-risk crosses.

Defenders

Boris Singh - FC Goa

The young full-back, typically an attacking winger, played a critical defensive role for FC Goa this season.

In this week’s match against Punjab FC, he controlled the right-wing effectively, balancing defensive duties with counter-attacking play through his speed.

Gourav Bora - Mohammedan SC

Bora displayed solid defending against East Bengal in the derby, neutralizing their counter-attacks with crucial tackles that stopped the likes of Diamantakos and Madih Talal from advancing into dangerous positions

Anwar Ali - East Bengal FC

The Indian international had an outstanding game against Mohammedan SC, successfully defending his goal while playing with just nine men for over 70 minutes.

He was instrumental for East Bengal in achieving their first clean sheet of the season, despite facing a barrage of attacks from Mohammedan's front line.

Nathan Rodrigues - Mumbai City FC

The 20-year-old full-back scored his second consecutive goal of the season with a clinical finish, heading the ball beautifully into the far side of the net against Chennaiyin FC.

His outstanding performance in both defensive and attacking roles earned him the Man of the Match award.

Midfielders

Korou Singh Thingujam - Kerala Blasters FC

Seventeen-year-old Korou Singh made his first start of the season for Kerala Blasters FC, setting a record as the youngest player to start a match for the team in the Indian Super League.

From the outset, he showcased his talent with impressive wing play, including a precise pass to Jimenez on the edge of the box that led to a goal.

Alberto Noguera - Bengluru FC

Spanish midfielder Alberto Noguero has been the primary playmaker for Bengaluru FC this season, including in their recent match against Northeast United FC.

In this game, he also scored his first goal of the season with a stunning shot from outside the box that landed perfectly in the top left corner of the net.

Iker Guarrotxena - FC Goa

After recovering from a significant injury break, the Spaniard resumed his season where he had left off, aiming to boost his team’s struggling performance. This week, he made his first start of the season against Punjab FC.

In that match, he anchored the team's midfield and contributed greatly with a beautiful side-footed assist for Sadiku, followed by scoring the second-half winner.

Andrei Alba - Hyderabad FC

The Brazilian midfielder Alba is making a strong impression in his debut season with Hyderabad FC in the Indian Super League (ISL). In just four matches, he has already contributed to three goals. This includes a brace against Kerala Blasters FC this week, which helped his team secure their second consecutive away victory of the season.

Forwards

Jithin MS - Northeast United FC

Winger Jithin MS had an impressive performance against league leaders Bengaluru FC, using his speed to challenge their defense and effectively contributing to the team’s high-pressing tactics.

His efforts paid off when he pressured Gurpreet for a loose ball, leading to a deflection that set up an easy assist for Ajaraie, who then scored into an open goal.

Alaaeddine Ajaraie - Northeast United FC

The Moroccan forward has consistently appeared in the Team of the Week due to his impressive goal-scoring streak, which has now reached eight consecutive matches after he scored two goals (a brace) against Bengaluru FC.

He has also surpassed the double-digit milestone with a total of 11 goals and 4 assists, matching Kalu Uche's record for the longest goal-scoring streak of eight matches in the Indian Super League (ISL).