Indian Super League: Best XI from week 3

The Indian Super League finally settled into a good rhythm after an illustrious and frantic opening two weeks. The third week of the tournament continued to draw good numbers of spectators all across the eight host cities. Chennaiyin kicked-off the third week with a magnificent hammering of Mumbai City while Goa registered their first victory of the season against Delhi Dynamos.Some wonderful goals were scored as Elano continued his blistering form while Nicolas Anelka opened his account in the tournament. We look at the ‘Team of the Week’ for week 3 of the ISL.Formation: 5-3-2 (narrow)

#1 Goalkeeper: TP Rehenesh NorthEast United

The young custodian keeps his place in Sportkeeda’s ISL team of the week after a fantastic display of shot-stopping against Delhi Dynamos. Rehenesh single-handedly saved the day for NorthEast United as he made a number of outstanding saves to earn a goalless draw for the travelling side.

Two of his most striking saves came off Hans Mulder in the dying moments of the match as the 21-year old Keralite enhanced his growing reputation as one of India’s brightest young prospects.

Rickie Herbert placed his trust in the youngster after his first choice keeper Tzorvas sustained an injury in the opening week of the season and the Kiwi coach would be very pleased with how Rehenesh has stepped up to this challenge.

#2 Right back: Dharmaraj Ravanan Pune City

The former Indian junior international had a solid outing in Pune City’s 2-1 defeat to Kerala Blasters. Ravanan was an impenetrable force on the right flank for David James’ team as they were forced to play down the middle for much of the first-half, until a half-time substitution changed the complexion of the game.

Ravanan has been consistent right throughout the tournament and has been duly praised by ISL pundits and commentators alike. His defensive contributions in Pune’s games have been immense and if Ravanan can work on the attacking aspect of his game, he will become an invaluable player for his coach Franco Colomba.

#3 Centre-back: Marco Materazzi Chennaiyin

Chennaiyin’s player-coach Materazzi stepped onto the pitch for the first time against Mumbai City and it turned out to be a tactical masterstroke. Materazzi sat in the heart of midfield and proved to be a terrible thorn in the flesh for Mumbai’s front-line as his interceptions and tackling kept the creative ability of Anelka, Moritz and company in check.

He marshalled his troops with supreme control and command and Chennaiyin’s defensive robustness frustrated their opponents into making defensive errors which were duly exploited by Chennaiyin’s attacking players. Materazzi subbed himself off in the second half to Mumbai’s respite but Chennaiyin had already run away with the match by then.

#4 Centre-back: Bruno Cirillo Pune City

The Pune City centre-back put in an inspiring performance at home against Kerala Blasters. He relentlessly put his body on line while thwarting every opposition attack. His timely goal-line deflection in the first half off a CS Sabeeth strike was a particular highlight of the Italians indefatigable efforts during the course of this game.

The former Reggina and Levante defender was unlucky to end up on the losing side but his efforts didnt go unnoticed. Cirillo had endured a shaky start to his ISL campaign and coach Franco Colomba will be delighted to see the Italian finally on top of his game now.

#5 Centre back: Miguel Garcia NorthEast United

The Spanish defender was given the responsibility of marshalling his young defence with skipper Joan Capdevilla missing from the starting eleven. The task was enormous as Garcia had to keep the Dynamos side at bay, a team which had looked imperious at home and had scored four against a very potent Chennaiyin team.

But the former Braga and Mallorca man answered his manager’s calls with an assured performance which earned a creditable goalless draw for the travelling team. Garcia used all his experience and wisdom as he neutralised Harm van Heldoven’s men with calm composure. In Garcia and Capdevilla, Rickie Herbert has a very formidable central defensive pairing at par with the best in the league.

#6 Left back: Narayan Das FC Goa

The Goa left-back has been taking giant strides in his short professional career thus far and if his performances for FC Goa are any indication, the Indian national side might have just discovered a long-term prospect for the left-back position. The Dempo player put in an impressive performance against Delhi Dynamos as he handled wave after wave of Delhi attacks down the right flank.

He had to deal with the threat of Francis Fernandes and Adil Khan who made repeated forays into Goa’s half and the 21-year old did a great job in keeping things tight down his own flank. His industrious efforts kept Goa in the game and provided the right impetus for Zico’s men to make a successful late charge for an elusive victory.

#7 Central Midfielder: Hans Mulder Delhi Dynamos

Easily the best central midfielder in the Indian Super League so far, Hans Mulder put in another commanding display against NorthEast United. The Dutchman, who assumes the dual role of a creator and destroyer in the midfield with consummate ease, was again a cog in the Delhi Dynamos machine as he shielded his back four with his brute presence.

Mulder also played an integral role on the attacking front as the Dynamos probed into the opposition half all throughout the game. He was extremely unfortunate not to score the winner as two of his well directed strikes were parried away by an excellent TP Rehenesh.

#8 Central midfielder: Elano Chennaiyin

If fans were to name one standout player of the Indian Super League so far, there would be a unanimous response –Elano Blumer. If the ISL were to be called an orchestra, Elano would be its conductor. The Brazilian has been writing his own script right from day one and executing with quintessential Latin American élan.

Elano scored two and created two goals as Chennaiyin ran riot against Mumbai City. His second goal, in particular, stole the heart of everyone present and watching. Elano exhorted the crowd to increase the decibel level as he lined up to take a freekick, almost as if he knew what was going to happen next, and then drilled in a powerful strike to send the Chennai crowd into wild celebrations.

#9 Attacking midfielder: Iain Hume Kerala Blasters

It had been a disappointing opening two weeks of the Indian Super League for the competition’s southern most team but they halted their winless run with a come-from-behind victory away at Pune City. Kerala Blasters had their perpetual saviour Iain Hume to thank as the Canadian once again stood out with his industry and enterprise.

Hume, who had scored both of Kerala’s goals prior to this game, was deployed as a withdrawn striker by David James and the former Leicester City player revelled in his new role, exploiting all the space and time that was afforded to him. He set up Penn Orji’s winning goal with an intelligent cut-back and could have easily scored a couple of goals himself if not for Pune City’s goalkeeper.

#10 Striker: Stiven Mendoza Chennaiyin

The effervescent Colombian ran Mumbai City’s defence ragged and left them gasping for breath in the 5-1 victory as Chennaiyin put four goals past Subrata Paul in the opening forty-five minutes. Mumbai City defenders were no match for Mendoza’s clever runs and bursts of pace in the final third as he along with Jeje Lalpekhlua ran circles around Friedrich and company.

Using his blistering pace and astute trickery, Mendoza won a penalty which was inevitably converted by Elano. He then scored a poacher’s goal as he took advantage of a loose ball inside the six yard box. Mendoza then put the game past Mumbai just before the half-time whistle as he beat the offside trap to score his second and his team’s fourth goal.

#11 Striker: Nicolas Anelka Mumbai City

Anelka returned to competitive football action for the first time since his controversial anti-Semitic gesture as a West Bromwich player in the Barclays Premier League. But his much-awaited return didn’t go according to the script as Chennaiyin thumped Mumbai City and the final scoreline of 5-1 was a perfect reflection of the match’s proceedings.

The Frenchmen put his best foot forward but didn’t get the support required to make any sort of impact. But the European football journeyman finally showed his true class against Kerala Blasters as he scored the winner with a sublime freekick. Anelka also created a plethora of chances but his teammates’ profligacy meant that Mumbai didn’t win by a greater margin.