Defence
DF: Nirmal Chettri (Shivajians)
In that same game, one of the reasons Bagan were kept quiet, was because their most dangerous weapon in Sony Norde was shut down by the indefatigable Nirmal Chettri. The India international used his traditional strengths - positioning and speed to make up lost yards, and discipline - to keep the dangerous Haitian in his pocket all evening, enabling his side to get a grip on the match defensively and not allow Bagan to threaten at will.
He made Norde change his game and that's when Nirmal knew that the battle was won.
DF: Haroon Amiri (Chennai City)
The Afghan-international was described by his club's coach, Robin Charles Raja, as a "defensive utility player." Yet, when he had to move to centre-back in Chennai's previous game halfway through, due to injury to seasoned veteran Dharmaraj Ravanan, it was a big step.
Amiri did well in that game and started Chennai's latest game against Aizawl in that position and was fantastic once again. This forced move seems to have worked out well for the new boys as Amiri's excellent reading of the game coupled with his quickness on the ground has kept the defence alert.
Despite not being a strapping lad, he is a powerful header of the ball and is able to deal with aerial threats very well. He also has the ability to play the ball out of defence instead of just hacking it away.
DF: Narayan Das (East Bengal)
East Bengal ran riot against minnows Minerva and while the forward line enjoyed the spoils in terms of goals, they had the guys behind them to thank for the excellent supply all game. Das, in particular, was quite brilliant, providing some very good crosses throughout the match for his forwards to attack.
The danger he posed bombing forward meant that the forwards could all crowd the box, knowing that their teammates would take care of creating the chances.
