ISL 2017: 5 midfielders who impressed in round 1

The round 1 of Indian Super League season 4 is over with Bengaluru FC leading the pack. Although, the first two matches ended in nil-nil draws the other three brought some action for the fans.

A number of players impressed in the first 5 games including both Indian and overseas players. Many of them were midfielders who both were eyeing the goal and protecting the defense as well. Here are the top 5 midfielders who impressed in the round 1.

Mandar Rao Desai (FC Goa)

Mandar Rao Desai became the first Indian footballer to score a goal in the ongoing ISL season 4. He converted Manuel Lanzarote's assist against Chennaiyin FC to put FC Goa into lead.

He also provided an assist in the game and showed why he is one of the best Indian midfielders in the ISL. He also had a brilliant shot on target in the latter stages of second half but it was saved by Karanjt Singh. He did not have many touches on the ball during the game but was influential in keeping pressure on the Chennaiyin contingent throughout the match.

Brandon Fernandes (FC Goa)

Brandon Fernandes played the prime playmaker in FC Goa's game against Chennaiyin FC in which the former went 3-0 up at one stage, eventually winning 3-2. The India U19 star from Goa lived up to the expectations as he provided the key defense-splitting assist to Coro, which also was the first goal scored in this tournament.

Brandon and Coro began the game with a brilliant one-two, showing the opponents that they meant business. Chennaiyin FC had to resort to counter-attacking football but their players were left dispossessed a number of times by Brandon Fernandes. He also made a key interception during the game and completed 29 passes.

He was not only playing in the middle of the park, assisting the forwards but also had 4 shots on target which showed his goal scoring intent right from the start.

Edu Garcia (Bengaluru FC)

The former Zaragoza man highly impressed in Bengaluru FC's first ever game in the ISL. He scored the first goal for them in the 67th minute against Mumbai City FC off a set piece movement.

He had a lovely one-two with Udanta Singh and managed to beat Amrinder Singh with his left foot. He did not take any time in adjusting to the ISL due to the cohesiveness that Bengaluru FC developed in their last year's campaign. He also made a key interception during the game and completed a total of 43 passes.

Apart from the goal, he had another shot on target during the game but that was blocked by the goalkeeper. The one tackle he made and the 53 touches on the ball he had, showed why he is a complete midfielder for Bengaluru FC.

Paulinho Dias (Delhi Dynamos)

Although the wounds of losing his entire former team in the Chapecoense crash has not totally healed, Paulinho Dias did not let it reflect on his performance as he provided a stellar display of midfield to his team Delhi Dynamos.

He scored the first goal for the Dynamos this season in the 46th minute of the game. Chhangte sent a cross into the Pune box which was headed into the net by Dias. Delhi eventually went on to win the game 3-2 and are second in the table. A portion of the credit goes to Paulinho who completed 55 passes in the game and made two interceptions as well.

Matias Mirabaje (Delhi Dynamos)

Matias along with Paulinho proved to be the major difference between Delhi and Pune in their opening game of the season. Both the midfielders troubled the Pune defence throughout the game.

Among all the 5 goals scored in the game, the most special one was scored by the Uruguayan Matias. He curled a left-footer into the top corner leaving the Pune goalkeeper as a mere spectator. He also completed 56 passes in the game and held a lot of possession for the Delhi Dynamos. His 64th-minute goal proved to be the difference between the two sides.