Matchweek 21 was the penultimate matchweek of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 that produced some stunning results, some brilliant performances that left the fans still questioning about the final playoff spot.

Hero ISL expert Phil Brown was assigned with the task of selecting the Team of Matchweek 21. Brown picked a 4-3-3 formation, with one foreign player in defence, two in the midfield, and one in attack. 

The 63-year-old picked players from five different teams, with most players coming from East Bengal FC and Odisha FC, three each.

Here goes Brown’s Team of Matchweek 21:

Goalkeeper

Kamaljit Singh (East Bengal FC)

He faced a team that was weakened to a certain extent. They played three or four debutantes but there was still a strike force where it had to be the game where they kept the clean sheet. That is exactly what Kamaljit Singh did.

Defenders

Asish Rai (ATK Mohun Bagan)

He was a driving force down the right-hand side, constantly wanting possession and providing good service to the frontmen.

Thoiba Singh (Odisha FC)

For the second game on the run, a midfield player playing centre-back and even all the two suspended centre-backs were coming back, Narender Gahlot and Sahil Panwar, Thoiba maintained his position at centre-back and not only maintained it but played extremely well.

Vafa Hakhamaneshi (Chennaiyin FC)

I think he’s a great centre-half, a leader, both verbally and the way he plays the game

Jerry Lalrinzuala (East Bengal FC)

Even though Mumbai City FC were a weakened team, if you would like to call it, he still had to face Lallianzuala Chhangte on a regular basis and he kept him quiet.

Midfielders

Carl McHugh (ATK Mohun Bagan)

He scored two goals for his side, so picking him is a no-brainer for me.

Saul Crespo (Odisha FC)

He got the Hero of the Match for Odisha FC in a midfield that was playing against NorthEast United FC, not the most potent club but he certainly not only protects the backline but handles the ball well and plays some great football.

Pronay Halder (Jamshedpur FC)

He threw back the years as far as I was concerned, turned back the clock. He was a solid foundation for the win that they had over Hyderabad FC. He did not only play in midfield but towards the end of the game after having gone down to 10 men, he dropped into the centre-back berth as well. 

Forwards

Nandhakumar Sekar (Odisha FC)

He scored the opening goal for Odisha FC to put all the pressure off in a must-win game and not only that he scored the goal, he provided a lot of service down that right-hand side.

Kwame Karikari (Chennaiyin FC)

I don’t think he’s played too many games this year but he’s had the last couple of games and maybe it’s just too much too late for him to secure a contract at Chennaiyin FC. Regardless of that, all he can do is play well and that’s exactly what he did, got himself a goal, constant thorn in the opposite side in a must-win game for the opposition side.    

Naorem Mahesh Singh (East Bengal FC)

He’s had a great season this year and scored the only goal against Mumbai City FC. It was a lovely and fantastic strike, and fully deserved to be on the winning team.

Head Coach

Juan Ferrando (ATK Mohun Bagan)

It could’ve been one of Jamshedpur FC’s Aidy Boothroyd or East Bengal FC’s Stephen Constantine with two very good wins against the top two clubs. However, I’m going to go with Juan Ferrando, a must-win situation that he faced under a lot of pressure and got all the big decisions right. Even starting Hugo Boumous and getting 40 minutes out of him, couldn’t come out the second-half because of an injury that he’s carrying, so Ferrando still had to handle that situation.