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After an enthralling 3 months of high drama and intense footballing action, the Hero Indian Super League drew to a conclusion etching new names into its history books. This year saw the franchise based tournament giving birth to a few new stars and also the unearthing of some domestic talent from across India.As many as 5 individual honours were up for grabs in ISL 2 namely; the Golden Boot, the Golden Glove, the Fittest Player of the Season, ISL Emerging Player of the season and the Hero of the League award.Champions Chennayin FC swept the majority of these end of season awards with their players, Jeje Lal Pekhlua, Edel Bete and Stiven Mendoza all winning individual honours.Here is a closer look at all the awards and the respective winners.
#1 ISL Emerging Player of the Season - Jeje Lalpekhlua
Jeje Lalpekhlua won the ISL Emerging Player of the Season award for his energetic performances and contribution to Chennayin FC throughout the course of their title winning season.
The effervescent striker that he is, Jeje consistently produced stellar performances in Chennai’s attacking third scoring 6 goals and assisting 3 in the process.
Hailing from Mizoram, the striker played for clubs like Dempo SC and Mohun Bagan in the I-League and also has 9 goals for his country from 28 national team caps under his belt.
Jeje who has represented India in 3 different age categories is an example of a modern-day goal poaching striker, who likes to get on the end of crosses and pounce on the errors of the opposition.
The 24-year-old took over the title, awarded only to an Indian player, from Sandesh Jhingan, rubber stamping his credentials as well as showcasing the immense potential of young Indian footballers.
#2 Fittest Player of the Season - Iain Hume
The Fittest player of the season award deservingly went to Hero Indian Super League’s very own ‘Duracell Bunny’ himself, Iain Hume. Adored by fans for his impressive work ethic and never say die attitude, Hume is known to give his 100 percent each game, and worked tirelessly for Atletico de Kolkata this season.
The Atletico frontman scored 11 and assisted another 3 for Kolkata but despite all his efforts, he could not help Atletico into the final.
Seasoned Indian Super League fans and viewers will know Iain Hume’s trademark runs that sets him apart from the others, and also his willingness to toil away, making his presence felt in all areas of the pitch. The 31-year-old represents a dying breed of players who run their socks off each match.
This is the second individual ISL award for the former Tranmere Rovers frontman as he was voted the ‘Hero of the League’ last season for his talismanic performance for the Kerala Blasters.
#3 Golden Glove Edel Bete
The Cameroonian born-Armenian not only won his second Hero Indian Super League medal, but also earned the coveted ISL Golden Glove, bringing to an end, a highly successful season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Chennayin FC were in the safe hands of Edel all season, who managed a league best total of 7 clean sheets.
After playing 2010 minutes between the sticks, Edel made a total of 38 saves and conceded just 8 goals. The former Paris Saint-German shot-stopper made plenty of crucial saves for Materazzi’s men and was a key figure who helped them turn around a season that had begun very badly.
Chennayin’s number 24 is a keeper who marshals his defence well and commands the box, apart from having good ball distribution attributes as well.
Edel, who made headlines in last season’s final as well, is one player that everyone would love to see return next year.
#4 Golden Boot - John Stiven Mendoza
Chennayin FC’s prolific striker, John Stiven Mendoza, who fired on all cylinders this season took home the Golden Boot for the second season of the Indian Super League, after having lead the top scorers’ charts for almost the entirety of the campaign.
Mendoza, who won the man of the match award in 4 different games this season, found the back of net 13 times after playing 17 games, averaging an impressive figure of 0.76 goals per match.
The Colombian topped his achievements by scoring in the grand finale also, as he had a major role to play in each of his team’s 3 goals, taking centre stage yet again and helping them win the tournament.
The former Corinthians striker was rewarded handsomely for his performances and will have many trophies to take back home, apart from his ISL winners’ medal.
#5 Hero of the League - John Stiven Mendoza
Nobody was surprised when Chennayin FC Mendoza was announced the ‘Hero of the League’ as the striker had been in scintillating form this season, single-handedly steering results in favour of the Super Machans.
The 23-year old, who was deployed in attack along with either with Jeje or Jayesh formed a lethal understanding with his teammates, making a healthy habit of scoring regularly and giving the opposing defenders a rough time.
The pacy striker’s traits include his quick feet and top-notch finishing abilities, both that were put to use a lot in this year’s ISL.
Winner of the Golden Boot award as well, Mendoza ended the season with 13 goals that included two hat-tricks and a goal in the final itself for Marco Materazzi’s Chennayin FC.
On loan from Corinthians in the Brazilian League, Mendoza had a season to remember and Chennayin will look to retain the services of their hero next season.
