After six months of exhilarating football, the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 has finally come to an end. Two of the league’s best teams contested in the showpiece finale on March 17 with Bengaluru FC edging out FC Goa through a late goal by Rahul Bheke.

The memorable season bore witness to some exceptional performances by several individuals but as in any competitive event, some stood out. Like every season, the Hero ISL recognized their excellence on the pitch with the prestigious Season Awards. Here, we take a look at the winners and what put them a cut above the rest.

DHL Winning Pass of the Season – Arnold Issoko (Mumbai City FC)

Despite only signing for Mumbai City FC during the summer, Arnold Issoko quickly established himself as a mainstay in the Islanders’ starting XI. The Congolese dynamo’s breath-taking pace and power down the flanks served as a constant menace to opposition defenders. His combination play with the likes of Rafael Bastos, Paulo Machado and Moudo Sougou was instrumental in Mumbai's run till the semi-finals. However, the one quality that set him apart from the rest was his ability to pick the perfect final pass for his teammates. Issoko finished at the top of the assists leaderboard this season with eight and deservedly claimed the DHL Winning Pass of the Season award.

Xiaomi Golden Glove – Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)

Widely considered as the league’s best goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu once again displayed his class as he bagged the Golden Glove award. The Bengaluru shot-stopper produced a string of match-winning performances for his side over the 20 matches he featured in. Gurpreet finished with seven clean sheets and a minutes/goal ratio of 96.32 – better than any other goalkeeper. Having narrowly missed out on the award only on the last day of last season, winning the coveted award this time around will be special for the ace custodian.

Swift Golden Boot and Hero of the League – Ferran Corominas (FC Goa)

Despite finishing on the losing side in the final, Ferran Corominas will be remembered for another stunning individual campaign. The Spaniard, who won the Golden Boot last season too, did one better this season, bagging the Hero of the League award in addition to retaining the Golden Boot. The 36-year-old finished the campaign with 16 goals to his name, head and shoulders above the rest of the strikers in the league. In addition to his supreme finishing skills, Coro was everpresent at the heart of Goa’s attacking play, contributing with seven assists. During the course of the campaign, he also earned the distinction of becoming the league’s all-time highest goal scorer after he broke Iain Hume’s record of 28 goals.

ISL Emerging Player of the Season – Sahal Abdul Samad (Kerala Blasters FC)

While Kerala Blasters FC might have suffered a torrid season this time around, one particular youngster emerged as the silver lining to their disappointing campaign. Sahal Abdul Samad impressed everyone with his skill and maturity on the pitch. His calmness and composure in midfield was another aspect of his game that worked well in his favour. The 21-year-old featured in 17 matches for the Blasters and also scored a memorable goal against rivals Chennaiyin FC during the league stage. The Indian footballing faithful will be keeping a close eye on this gem of a talent for the next few years.