Hero Indian Super League (ISL) expert and commentator Phil Brown picks his team for Matchweek 12 of the Hero ISL 2022-23.

Brown chose a mix of players from five different clubs in his playing XI, with one foreigner in defence, two in the midfield, and one in attack.

For the first time in the team of the week, there is a pick for not one but two coaches. The 63-year-old selected Manolo Marquez of Hyderabad FC as the head coach and Vincenzo Annese of NorthEast United FC as the assistant head coach, stating the seniority of Marquez as his reason for giving him the higher mantle.

Here is Phil Brown’s Team of the Week: 

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Goalkeeper
Mirshad Michu (NorthEast United FC)

Outstanding individual display, almost calm until the end. A little slip-up just gave Wilmar Gil the Hero of the Match award. The only reason he didn’t get the Hero of the Match is because he could’ve cost his side dearly with that mistake, but a great display from him for NorthEast United FC.

Defenders

Sandeep Singh (Kerala Blasters FC)

Right-back for Kerala Blasters FC. A match-winning performance crowned with the goal and a deserved Hero of the Match performance.

Marko Leskovic (Kerala Blasters FC)

Leskovic in the middle of the back four for his side was outstanding, commanding his presence.

Nim Dorjee (Hyderabad FC)

I had this lad at FC Pune City. For him to come into an emergency change, into the back four of Hyderabad FC, and keep a clean sheet and mark Roy Krishna out of the game was the reason for his selection.

Mandar Rao Dessai (Mumbai City FC)

Another meticulously outstanding and flawless display from the defender for his side.

Midfielders

Greg Stewart (Mumbai City FC)

Again, another match-winning goal, a type of a fantastic goal which found in - what I would say - the underperformance from Mumbai City FC. But again, Greg Stewart had a say in the manner.

Pragyan Gogoi (NorthEast United FC)

An Indian player that I watched very carefully in the middle of the park. His defensive as well as attacking contributions were there for everybody to see.

Vincy Barretto (Chennaiyin FC)

Vincy is slowly but surely getting everybody’s attention and only a matter of time before he knocks up the door of bigger and better things.

Bartholomew Ogbeche (Hyderabad FC)

Two goals and a performance that was worthy of turning the corner individually this season after having missed it by a yard in the first half of the season.

Lallianzuala Chhangte (Mumbai City FC)

A wonderful individual goal. Right-foot, left-foot, controlled volley into the top corner. He got back into the game against Chennaiyin FC and that’s the reason why they went on to win the game.

Forwards:

Wilmar Gil (NorthEast United FC)

Again, nothing against Mirshad but if it wasn’t for that little bit of slip in the end, Mirshad would have probably got the Hero of the Match. But for me, Wilmar, if he performs like this in the second half of the season, NorthEast United FC will win more games than they will lose in the second half which is some statement when you’ve lost all ten in the first half. Great individual display, his fitness levels were first-class, and his winning goal deserved the Hero of the Match award.

Head Coach:

Manolo Marquez (Hyderabad FC)

I couldn’t separate the two coaches this week - Vincenzo Annese and Manolo Marquez - with the seniority of Marquez, after his team’s performance in the 3-0 win, I would have to make him my head coach of the week.

Assistant Head Coach:

Vincenzo Annese (NorthEast United FC)

The turnaround of performance in his team in three games has been nothing short of outstanding and brilliant. So, for him, again, youth versus old, that’s the reason why he’s the assistant head coach but both had outstanding performances this week.