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After witnessing action-packed football for more than five months, we have finally approached the business end of the ISL campaign.
Six teams have been eliminated, while the rest of the four will be facing off each other in the playoffs. We have seen extraordinary goals, breath-taking moments, and mouth-watering matches in the football extravaganza.
Bengaluru FC, FC Goa, Mumbai City FC and North East United FC have reached the semi-finals, outclassing the other teams. Whatever the result will be, we are going to get a new winner, which is the most important inference. We have seen individual brilliance from many players this season.
Ferran Corominas and Bartholomew Ogbeche were outstanding as strikers, while Tiri and John Johnson have done their duties with perfection at the back.
But we often tend to undermine the credibility of the playmakers who work hard to build up the attack and supply the ball to the forwards.
Let us have a look at the top 5 midfielders in this season of the Indian Super League:
Also see : Womens World Cup Bracket, Copa America Standings, Gold Cup Standings
#5 Arnold Issoko (Mumbai City FC)
After playing the majority of his football career in Portugal, Arnold Issoko set foot on Indian shores for the first time. After initial hiccups, the winger pulled himself up as the season progressed, guiding Mumbai City FC to a top-four finish.
The Congolese footballer was indeed a fruitful signing for the club, having scored thrice and providing assists on SIX occasions, Arnold was a standout player in this year’s ISL.
Although he was overshadowed by the Moudou Sougou who played a pivotal role in Mumbai City’s fortune, the contributions of Arnold cannot be ignored.
Mumbai City FC will get the privilege to play the final in front of their home fans if they manage to win the two-legged semi-finals.
They will have to overcome an organised FC Goa unit to set up a title clash in the Mumbai football arena later this month.
#4 Manuel Lanzarote (ATK)
Manuel Lanzarote was exceptional with FC Goa in the previous edition of the Indian Super League.
In a hunt for their third title, ATK roped in the Spanish playmaker in a setup marshalled by veteran coach Steve Coppell. He was in the thick of things from the first match itself, started from where he left off in the last season.
Lanzarote showed sparks of brilliance throughout the season, even when the entire team displayed a pretty ordinary performance.
With five goals this season, he has been ATK’s highest goal scorer even though his main role was to provide assists.
Even though his efforts were mammoth in the context of ATK’s disappointing campaign this season, it was not enough to guide the team to a playoff berth.
ATK finished at the sixth position in the league standings with six wins, six draws and an equal number of losses.
#3 Edu Bedia (FC Goa)
FC Goa has arguably been the most consistent team in the entire Indian Super League, having won 10 matches out of their 18.
The most striking feature of their campaign was the attacking football they played under Sergio Lobera, which comprised of Ferran Corominas, Jackichand Singh and also the mastermind Edu Bedia.
While Ferran Corominas has been the spearhead in the frontline for the ‘Gaurs’, Edu Bedia has given an abundant supply of balls for the strikers. The former LaLiga star has found the back of the net seven times while assisted on four occasions, which was of huge help to the team.
More importantly, his passing accuracy has been 82.83 this season, which is extraordinary. He was instrumental in FC Goa’s campaign this season and will play a big role in the upcoming semi-finals. FC Goa will face Mumbai City FC this Friday in the first leg of the playoffs.
#2 Federico Gallego (NorthEast United FC)
NorthEast United FC was a team which always showed potential but never managed to make it to the knock-out stages of the tournament.
Dutch tactician Eelco Schattorie took charge of the team to bring a change. Federico Gallego was roped in by the management from Boston River to strengthen the forward line.
The Uruguayan along with Bartholomew Ogbeche formed one of the most lethal attacking pairs in the ongoing Indian Super League.
While the later was in the spotlight for scoring goals, Gallego played the supporting. Apart from scoring four goals, the South American provided five assists for the side.
His stats are staggering, having played in each of the 18 matches for the Highlanders. Gallego has been the lifeline in Eelco’s squad and is likely to play a vital role in the playoffs.
NorthEast United FC is scheduled to play against Bengaluru FC this Thursday at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, in Guwahati.
#1 Xisco Hernandez (Bengaluru FC)
Bengaluru FC is a star-studded team which includes the likes of Indian skipper Sunil Chhetri, Venezuelan striker Miku, and also Aussie Eric Paartalu.
But Xisco Hernandez has been able to draw everyone’s attention to himself with his hard work in the midfield.
The Spaniard has provided perfect support for the forwards, having provided 5 assists for them in the run-up to the knockout stages of the tournament.
With quality players up front, it was necessary for someone to play responsibly in the midfield. Xisco has done exactly that, under the supervision of their gaffer Carles Cuadrat.
Xisco has been plying his trade in Spain since 2009, this was his first venture outside Europe and is proving to be an eventful one.
His services will be more than useful in the knockout stages for the Blues. Bengaluru FC will go head to head against North East United FC in a two-legged play-offs starting this week.
