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The league stage on the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) reached its conclusion in the most dramatic fashion as the final round of matches produced the most enthralling games of the season so far. After rain brought life in Chennai to a standstill, Chennaiyin FC led the city’s revival by qualifying for the semi-finals of the ISL with two crucial wins over Mumbai City FC and FC Pune City.The week started off in a rainy Chennai, where Chennaiyin boosted their semi-final chances with a comfortable 3-0 win over Mumbai City FC. NorthEast United then did what was in their hands and beat FC Pune City 3-2 in Guwahati, to take the battle for the last semi-final spot to the wire.That was followed by a six-goal thriller in Delhi and Kerala Blasters finished the campaign on a good note after a draw with the Delhi Dynamos. Mumbai City FC, who were stuck in flooded Chennai, somehow managed to get to Kolkata in time for their game against Atletico de Kolkata. And after their most daunting of travels, Mumbai City FC scripted their first away win in ISL history thanks to a late Sony Norde winner.Chennaiyin FC saw their passage through to the semi-finals with a gritty 1-0 win over FC Pune City in Pune and the league stage concluded with an absolute cracker between Delhi Dynamos and FC Goa, which was edged by The Gaurs in the end.There were top performers all over the field and it was one hell of a task putting together the ISL Team for this week. Here is the eleven which takes shape in a 3-5-2 formation:
#1 Goalkeeper
Apoula Edel Bete (Chennaiyin FC)
It was an easy choice in goal as the Chennaiyin FC custodian was an automatic choice having kept two clean sheets in a week full of goals. It was a tough evening for goalkeepers in Chennai thanks to the rain, but Edel Bete, who was largely untroubled, produced some good saves when called upon.
His experience was key as the Chennai outfit kept a clean sheet in their final game in Pune which saw them go through to the semi-finals. He was also in goal for Atletico de Kolkata last year when they won the title.
#2 Defence
Mehrajuddin Wadoo (Chennaiyin FC – Right centre-back)
Wadoo too was a rock in the Chennaiyin FC defence and dealt with the threat of Sony Norde pretty well. He was solid as ever against FC Pune City as well and didn’t allow the FC Pune Ciyy wingers to bomb the Chennaiyin FC box with crosses.
Bernard Mendy (Chennaiyin FC – Centre-back)
The Frenchman was inspiring as Chennaiyin FC won their crunch game against Mumbai City FC. He didn’t allow anything to go past him and scored a truly sublime goal to kill any hopes of a Mumbai City FC revival.
Marshalling his troops extremely well throughout the game, he saw through a difficult second half for his team and ensured they would progress without trouble.
Aiborlang Khongjee (NorthEast United – Left centre-back)
Khongjee was superb in NorthEast United’s win over FC Pune City and dealt with the threat of the Pune attackers very well. He also contributed offensively and put in a few good crosses for Velez.
Khongjee has been the pick of the NorthEast United players this season and ended a fine campaign with yet another top performance.
#3 Midfield
Romeo Fernandes (FC Goa – Right winger)
A super sub in the true sense of the word, Romeo Fernandes completely changed the game after coming on and caused Delhi Dynamos all kinds of problems.
He fired two quickfire goals in two minutes to get a FC Goa side trailing by two goals on level terms and set them on course for a crucial win that saw them reach the top of the table.
Florent Malouda (Delhi Dynamos – Left central midfielder)
The man with the most number of assists in the second season of the ISL once again put in two stellar performances for Delhi Dynamos in midfield. Malouda continuously fed the ball to the attackers and caused havoc in midfield in both the games.
He is one of the leading contenders for the best player of the season award and it won’t be a surprise if he wins the award.
Manuele Blasi (Chennaiyin FC – Defensive Midfielder)
Blasi was drafted into the side by Marco Materazzi in place of Raphael Augusto in Pune and the former Napoli midfielder completely dominated the midfield. He controlled proceedings and never really allowed FC Pune City to get their game going. He was impressive against Mumbai City FC too after coming on as a substitute.
Jofre (FC Goa – Right central midfielder)
The ex-Barcelona midfielder was sensational for FC Goa and relentlessly picked out Reinaldo and Dudu in attack in an attempt to fashion clear-cut goalscoring chances. He was instrumental in creating the first goal for the Goan outfit and scored a late winner to send his team to the top of the ISL table at the end of the league stage.
Sony Norde (Mumbai City FC – Left winger)
The Haitian had a wonderful season for Mumbai City FC and capped it off with a superb performance in Kolkata as he scored a brace to give Mumbai City FC their first away win in ISL history.
He was also the best Mumbai City FC player when they played against Chennai and came closest to getting Mumbai City FC on the scoresheet.
#4 Attack
Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC – Striker)
Jeje has found his mojo at the perfect time for Chennaiyin FC. He scored one of the three goals against Mumbai City FC that set Chennaiyin FC on their way to a crucial win, before netting the crucial goal in Pune which gave his side the decisive win needed to take them above NorthEast United into the semi-finals.
His goalscoring exploits could be critical for Chennai in the semi-finals and the little poacher could just prove to be the trump card for Marco Materazzi in the semi-finals.
Sunil Chhetri (Mumbai City FC – Striker)
Sunil Chhetri, the highest Indian goalscorer in ISL season two finished off the season by netting the crucial penalty which gave Mumbai City FC the lead in the game and was a constant threat to the Atletico defence thanks to his movement and vision.
The Indian skipper combined well with Sony Norde in both the games and was unlucky to have not scored a goal in Chennai after being denied by the upright.
