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The second edition of the Indian Super League has been a very entertaining one so far, and we have seen some great play from all teams. From outstanding individual goals to some stunning saves from the goalkeepers, we have seen it all.Here, we pay tribute to the goalkeepers who are vital to their team’s chances of keeping the opposition from scoring. Goalkeepers have different styles, some of them are great shot-stoppers while others are great at organisation and controlling the box.We have seen some great goalkeeping from different players in the tournament and we take a look at the the Top 5 shot-stoppers in the second season of the Indian Super League here:
#5 Steve Simonsen
The English goalkeeper was signed by FC Pune City ahead of the start of the second season of the Indian Super League. Simonsen made 10 appearances in the league, keeping 2 clean sheets and conceding 13 goals. The 36-year-old made 30 saves in the tournament and was a key player for the Pune side.
His shot-stopping was at times flawless and he was a very solid presence in the Pune City goal. Coach David Platt relied very heavily on Simonsen and the goalkeeper did not fail his team. He scored 31 points as well in the ISL Fantasy League, and was one of the preferred foreign goalkeepers.
The Nottingham Forest academy youth product started his career at Tranmere Rovers, before signing for Everton in 1999. After spending 5 seasons at the Merseyside club, he signed for Championship side Stoke City, and won promotion to the Premier League with them in 2007-08.
He has also played for Scottish sides Dundee and Rangers, and English clubs Sheffield United and Preston North End before making a move to India. The goalkeeper has also represented England at youth levels, but never made it to the senior side.
#4 Laxmikant Kattimani
The FC Goa goalkeeper has been one of the more surprising stories to come out of the west coast team this season, impressing everyone with his control and command of the box. He has helped keep the Goan team an all-round solid unit, complementing their brilliant attacking play with some solid goalkeeping.
Playing behind a defence of Brazilian legend Lucio and Gregory Arnolin, Kattimani has worked very well with the experienced duo, coordinating well to ensure they don't have to come under heavy spells of attack. The shot-stopper has also stepped up quickly in case the senior defensive duo have been unable to match the forward's pace, effectively minimising goalscoring opportunities for their opponents.
In the 11 matches that he has played, he has conceded only 13 goals, making 37 saves and keeping 2 clean sheets. Kattimani, who plays for Dempo in the I-League, has been a very dependable member of Zico's squad and a call-up to the Indian national team could be on the cards.
Also, his performances have seen him become one of the most selected goalkeepers in the ISL Fantasy League, as with his pricing, he is one of the most value-for-money signings available. He has scored 36 points thus far.
#3 Antonio Doblas Santana
Antonio Doblas Santana has been a key player for Roberto Carlos led Delhi Dynamos side. The Spaniard has featured 11 times so far in the tournament, making an impressive 41 saves. He has been an important member of the Delhi team and has been integral to them having a good defensive record.
He has also conceded 12 of the 20 goals conceded by his team, and kept 3 clean sheets. The 6-feet tall goalkeeper has lightning fast reflexes, and his daring approach has rescued the Dynamos several times so far in the tournament. He is also heavily picked in the ISL Fantasy League, with his 45 points one of the highest of all goalkeepers involved.
The 35-year-old came through the academy of Real Betis, and has also played for Real Zaragoza in the La Liga. Doblas, who has also majored in journalism, won the Copa del Rey with Real Betis in 2004-05, and the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2013-14.
He was a key member of the Real Betis side that qualified for the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
#2 Amrinder Singh
The 22-year-old was signed by Atletico de Kolkata to replace Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, and it is turning out to be a great decision by the team management. Amrinder has cemented his place in the team’s starting XI ahead of the experienced Juan Calatayud.
He has made 12 appearances so far for the defending champions, making 37 saves, and has conceded 15 of the 17 goals Kolkata have let in. The tall lad from Punjab has used his height and reach very well and controlled 1-on-1 matchups with strikers.
He might have had a bad game in the 1st leg of Atletico's semi-final against Chennaiyin, but he has been one of their most consistent players and will look to redeem himself in the 2nd leg. His performances have seen him be a favourite in the ISL Fantasy League, and with 40 points, he is one of the best goalkeepers available for selection and is great value for money.
Singh is a product of Sports Wing Academy and started his career as a striker before his coach there converted him into a goalkeeper. He was then signed by I-league side Pune FC, and has been a regular starter for them in the past two seasons.
He has also been named captain for the 2016 AFC under-23 Championship qualifiers in Bangladesh.
#1 Rehenesh TP
Rehenesh's performances for NorthEast United were not anything short of extraordinary, with his tremendous shot-stopping a major reason why the team almost made it through to the semi-finals. His performances saw him keep an experienced goalkeeper like Bracigliano out of the team consistently.
Playing for the youngest team in the league, the man from Kerala showed great anticipation and judgement in terms of stopping shots and getting ready to go again immediately. His cat-like reflexes saw him make 47 saves in the 12 appearances he has made so far, and conceded 19 of the 23 goals the team let in.
Though his team's defensive record wasn't great, he was without a doubt the best shot-stopper in the league this season and was one of the main players whose performances brought NorthEast United back into contention for a spot in the semi-finals.
With the most number of clean sheets in the league, he was the most-picked goalkeeper in the ISL Fantasy League and led the charts with 52 points till his team's elimination.
