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Atletico de Kolkata's Fikru Teferra made a flying start to the Indian Super LeagueThe Indian Super League has survived its acid test. The TRPs are running high, most games have attracted supporters in herds, there’s a definite buzz in the media and most importantly, the football has been very entertaining. All in all, the opening week of this blockbuster event has been very successful and all stakeholders have had plenty of reasons to celebrate.All eight franchises have given fans many unforgettable moments and several unknown footballers have already made a name for themselves in the first week of the ISL. Atletico de Kolkata look good value for their lead atop the standings while teams like Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters, who played a solitary game last week, will be looking to turn a few heads in the coming games.We look at the team of the week in the Indian Super League. The formation used is 4-2-3-1.
#1 Goalkeeper - Alexandros Tzorvas (NorthEast United)
The Greek shot-stopper is one of the many international footballers in the ISL roster who’ve previously played in the FIFA World Cup. The man who propelled Greece to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa hasn’t done his reputation any harm in his side’s opening fixtures.
Tzorvas was their match-winner in the opening game against Kerala Blasters, pulling off some tremendous saves to deny Michael Chopra and company a deserved victory. Against Atletico de Kolkata, if not for his heroics, NorthEast would have conceded a lot more than just the 2 goals.
United sit pretty currently in second position in the ISL standings and the Greek custodian has played a crucial role in his club’s impressive start to the season.
#2 Right-back - Denzil Franco (Atletico de Kolkata)
The Indian international has been a picture of composure for Atletico de Kolkata in the opening week of the ISL. He has become an integral member of Antonio Habas’ trusted group of defenders who started all three of Kolkata’s matches last week.
Franco has been competent in the air and has used his six feet tall frame to good effect while defending set-pieces. His marauding runs in the opposition half have provided able support to Baljit Sahni and some of his crosses wreaked havoc in the penalty box. His consistent displays have made him an automatic selection in Habas’ starting eleven.
#3 Centre-back - Gouramangi Singh (Chennaiyin FC)
Indias most reliable centre-back in recent years, Gouramangi Singh was a pillar of strength in Chennaiyins only game in the opening week against Goa. He successfully thwarted relentless forays of FC Goas frontline into the final third and showed why hes rated so highly in the domestic circuit.
In Mikael Silvestre, he has the perfect companion to form a peerless defensive partnership for coach Marco Materrazzi to build upon and succeed. The tournament has just begun, more so for Chennaiyin who have played just the one game so far, and Gouramangi Singh will be a crucial part of the jigsaw for the Abhishek Bachchan owned franchise
#4 Centre-back - Josemi (Atletico de Kolkata)
The former Liverpool man has been an immovable rock at the back for Atletico de Kolkata. With Arnab Mondal, he has formed a formidable partnership which has kept two clean sheets and conceded a solitary goal in the three games. The numbers aside, Josemi has looked very assured in defence for Kolkata and has been a key man in their brilliant start to the campaign.
A member of Liverpool’s victorious UEFA Champions League squad in 04/05, Josemi has lent the right mixture of experience and robustness to Antonio Habas’ team. He has been unbeatable in the air and has marshalled his back-line with complete control. Josemi will have a key role to play if Kolkata were to reach the latter stages of the inaugural Indian Super League.
#5 Left back - Joan Capdevila (NorthEast United)
One of the most venerated players in Spain with a World Cup and European Championship medal to his name, Joan Capdevilla has led from the front in NorthEast’s impressive start to the season. Starting as a centre-back in the opening match against Kerala, he has continued in the position in great fashion despite naturally being a left back.
The franchise and their owner, John Abraham, would be delighted with the signing of the Spaniard as their marquee player. Capdevila’s experience has been a big plus point for a young team comprising of several relatively less experienced domestic players. Rickie Herbert would be glad that Capdevila has gained full match fitness so swiftly after spending the entire European pre-season without a professional club.
#6 Central midfielder - Borja Fernandez (Atletico de Kolkata)
One of the lucky players in the Indian Super League to have Real Madrid on their CV, Borja Fernandez set the ISL stage on fire with an absolutely stunning strike in the opening match of the tournament against Mumbai City.
Borja, who was plying his trade at Getafe in the Spanish top-flight before heading to India, put in two very influential performances against Mumbai City and NorthEast United. He missed Kolkata’s third game against Delhi Dynamos after being sent-off in the previous match and Kolkata missed him dearly. Kolkata couldn’t get their trademark passing game going and Habas would be itching to have his midfielder back from suspension in the next match.
#7 Central midfielder - Hans Mulder (Delhi Dynamos)
Mulder has been one of the better performers in a Delhi team which is yet to click into gear in the Indian Super League. The Dutch midfielder has been the epicentre of Harm van Veldhoven’s football style and has orchestrated the midfield with his accurate passing.
He has been one of the primary destroyers in the midfield, stopping and intercepting the opposition’s play in his own half. Due to his fantastic defensive attributes, he was also called upon to play as a centre-back in the second half against Kolkata and Mulder did his job with consummate ease.
With Mulder and Shylo already showing glimpses of their individual ability, it’s only a matter of time before Del Piero too finds his footing and propel Delhi upwards in the ISL standings.
#8 Right midfielder - Koke (NorthEast United)
Indian football fans would’ve heard only about one Koke before the start of the ISL, the one who plays for Atletico de Madrid. But one week into the tournament, it is another Koke, also a Spaniard, who has captured their attention.
The Spanish striker was given the role of an attacking midfielder by Kiwi manager Rickie Herbert and the 31-year old has answered his manager’s call in supreme fashion. From finishing off a delightful move to take United home in their opening fixture of the tournament, to calmly slotting a penalty to earn a deserved draw against Goa, Koke has been ever-present for his side.
He has been United’s primary creative outlet and has been the man to watch out for in a relatively low-profile NorthEast squad.
#9 Attacking midfielder - Elano (Chennaiyin FC)
One of the better known faces in India due to his affiliation with English Premier League side Manchester City in the past, Elano was always expected to rise above his competitors in the Indian Super League due to sheer technical superiority. And it didnt take long for the Brazilian to unravel his magic as he curled in a sublime freekick past Goa custodian Jan Seda in Chennaiyins opening game of the season.
A member of Brazils 2010 World Cup squad, Elano will certainly be the player to watch out for in a star-studded Chennaiyin squad. He is expected to be at the heart of Materazzis plans and tactics for the Indian Super League.
#10 Left midfielder - Andre Moritz (Mumbai City FC)
If one were to recall the standout performance in the opening week of the Indian Super League, there would one unanimous reply, the hattrick by Mumbai City’s Andre Moritz. The Brazilian striker, who made a cameo appearance in the heavy defeat to Kolkata in the opening game, was handed a place in the starting eleven against Pune City by Peter Reid and the forward repaid his manager’s trust with an incredible return of three goals which blew Pune City away.
His hattrick included two exquisite finishes and a deft touch from a corner and his spectacular performance brought some early festive cheer and joy to the swarm of Mumbai supporters who had filled up the DY Patil Stadium.
#11 Striker - Fikru (Atletico de Kolkata)
The star of the tournament so far, Fikru Teferra is slowly becoming a household name in Indian football, especially in parts of the football-crazy city of Kolkata. The Ethiopian started off the fireworks by scoring a wonderfully crafted opening goal of the Indian Super League and has since continued his love-affair with the ISL.
His acrobatic goal against NorthEast United was a moment to savour and his mere physical presence has been a nightmare for any defender who’s faced him in the opening week. Kolkata and Antonio Habas have unearthed a natural superstar in Fikru and football fans would be hoping to see his trademark celebrations for some time to come.
