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ISL 2017/18 saw two new teams - Bengaluru FC & FC Pune City - make their first-ever appearance in the semi-finals stage, while Chennaiyin FC & FC Goa joined ATK as the sides that have made it to the most number of semi-finals in the ISL - thrice in 4 seasons.
However, there were players from the remaining six sides that deserved to play in the knockouts with the top-quality football that they displayed earlier this season. Who were the top 5 that missed out? Let's find out.
#5 Marcinho
Marcio de Souza Gregorio Junior, the former Copa do Brasil winner with Corinthians was NorthEast United's key performer this season, scoring 4 goals from midfield for a side that scored just 12 goals in their 18 matches this season.
In fact, with his ability to assist as good as he could score, he had a hand in an incredible 41.66% of NorthEast United's goals this season. (4 Goals + 1 Assist). He managed 39 shots, the most by any NorthEast United player, despite not playing as the primary striker.
His injury midway through the season added more misery to the Highlanders, as they lost all the matches after he hobbled off against Delhi Dynamos.
#4 Lallianzuala Chhangte
The 20-year-old diminutive midfielder had a season to forget with NorthEast United in ISL 2016, making just 1 appearance - that too as a substitute off the bench.
But he developed his skills at DSK Shivajians in the I-League last season playing 17 of their 18 games. He then displayed a flawless transition to the ISL, becoming the youngest player to score & assist in the same ISL game when he went on a rampage in Delhi Dynamo's 3-2 victory over FC Pune City in their opening game.
He then went on to score two more goals in the league. His impact in the team was underlined by the fact that Delhi Dynamos won all 3 games in which Chhangte scored this season.
He wasn't afraid to test the opposition keeper, managing 23 shots; only Kalu Uche(29) among the Delhi Dynamos players managed more this season. He did terrifically well as a supplier too, providing three assists, displaying the all round nature of his game.
#3 Everton Santos
The one player that kept last year's table topper's chances for a spot in the semi-finals alive was the former PSG man, Everton Santos. He managed to score 6 goals this season; only Sunil Chhetri (7 Goals- ISL 2015), among the Mumbai City FC players has managed more goals in a single season of the ISL.
Sony Norde's departure had meant that Mumbai City FC were also looking for a player that could set-up goals as well. Santos did justice on the wings, supplying 30 crosses & registering 5 assists - the most by any Mumbai City FC player in a single ISL season.
His threat could be highlighted by the fact that he was the most fouled player this season with defenders finding his trickery and pace tough to control.
#2 Wellington Priori
There is something with Steve Coppell managed sides that ensure a late surge towards the end of the league stages, and synonymous to that is a hero who steps up when required. It was CK Vineeth that did the trick for the Blasters last season, but this season, it was the arrival of Wellington Priori.
Jamshedpur FC were struggling with just 10 points on the board in 9 matches before Wellington Priori made his debut against the Blasters. Since then, they went on to collect 16 points in nine matches and kept their hopes alive for a semi-finals spot till the last day, before Subrata Paul got himself sent-off. Goa then made the man advantage count to beat Jamshedpur FC 3-0.
Despite playing just 9 matches, he contributed to 4 goals (3 Goals, 1 Assist) - no Jamshedpur FC player managed more. His tally of 0.33 Goals/Game was also the best by any Jamshedpur FC player, proving his eye for goal.
#1 Kalu Uche
The former FC Pune City player, who has over 30 goals in the La Liga, took time to settle in the Delhi Dynamos squad, scoring just 2 goals in his first seven appearances for the Lions.
But he turned the season on its head, going on to add a massive 11 goals in the next 8 matches, also scoring in each of those 8 matches. He thus, set an ISL record of scoring in the most number of consecutive matches - 8.
With this heroics, he also went past the ISL-3 Golden Boot Winner & Delhi Dynamos' all time top scorer, Marcelinho who had set a record of 10 goals for the Lions.
His record of 13 goals has only been bettered by Coro(18) & Miku(14) in a single season of the ISL. This also meant that his tally now stands as the record for the most goals scored by a player for a team that didn't qualify for the semi-finals in an ISL season
