Matchweek 17 of the Indian Super League (ISL) witnessed close encounters, fierce contests, and tactical battles that have heated up the race for the ISL League Shield and the playoff spot.

This matchweek saw East Bengal FC, Mohun Bagan SG, and Punjab FC keeping clean sheets while Chennaiyin FC, Hyderabad FC, and Jamshedpur FC went without scoring a goal.

During this five-day-long matchweek, 11 goals were scored, and only a single game ended on level terms when in-form Mumbai City FC shared spoils against stuttering FC Goa. Mohammad Yasir and Nandhakumar Sekar displayed their goalscoring prowess in consecutive games, whereas Vishal Kaith went without conceding goals in successive matchweeks.

With matchweek 18 already on its way, we’ve selected the best eleven players from Matchweek 17, with a 3-4-3 formation.

Goalkeeper

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill (East Bengal FC)

Gill kept his seventh clean sheet against Chennaiyin FC in the opening fixture of this matchweek, helping his side secure a 1-0 win against the Marina Machans. The 23-year-old custodian stood strong under the bars, making several crucial saves throughout the game to deny Chennaiyin FC's attacks.

However, he conceded twice in their second game of this week against Odisha FC, where his team lost to the Kalinga Warriors by a 2-1 scoreline.

Defenders

Dimitrios Chatziisaias (Punjab FC)

The tall center-back had a robust presence in Punjab FC’s defence during the game against Hyderabad FC. Chatziisaias led his team from the back to register consecutive away wins in the ISL for the first time.

Hijazi Maher (East Bengal FC)

The Jordanian defender's commanding performance at the back guided East Bengal FC to secure their first win against Chennaiyin FC. Maher had played a crucial role throughout the 90 minutes to forfend Chennaiyin FC’s quick counter-attacks and helped his sidestay organised and cut off the opponent’s goalscoring chances.

Subhasish Bose (Mohun Bagan SG)

The Kolkata-born full-back was impressive with his well-timed tackles and overlapping runs, giving his side confidence through the left flank. Bose displayed a solid performance on the pitch to keep his defence line intact and complete a league double against Jamshedpur FC.

Midfielders

Manvir Singh (Mohun Bagan SG)

The versatile winger had set the tone of the game with his clinical assists and quick moves on the flanks. Providing two assists in the game, Singh won the ‘Player of the Match’ award against the Men of Steel and also became the second player to record four assists against an opponent in a single season.

Ahmed Jahouh (Odisha FC)

The Moroccan creative midfielder is getting better with time, playing a pivotal role in his team’s recent success in the ISL. Jahouh found Princeton Rebello with his inch-perfect corner in the 61st minute to assist Rebello in scoring his first-ever ISL goal against East Bengal FC to secure a 2-1 win. Following this assist, the 35-year-old footballer now records the joint second-most number of assists by any player in the league's history.

Mohammad Yasir (FC Goa)

Yasir’s powerful left-footed strike helped FC Goa share points with Mumbai City FC in a cagey affair in Mumbai. The left winger has been in stellar form since the reunion, with his head coach, Manolo Marquez, scoring back-to-back goals in consecutive matches. Following his goal against the Islanders, Yasir now holds his highest goal contribution (5) against a single opponent.

Nandhakumar Sekar (East Bengal FC)

Nandhakumar’s solitary goal inspired the Red and Gold Brigade to seal all three points against Owen Coyle’s team on their home turf. With this goal, the Chennai-born winger now has the most number of goals (5) and goal contribution (8) as an Indian in the ongoing season.

Forwards

Luka Majcen (Punjab FC)

The Slovenian forward is leading his team from the front, helping his side manage a clinical win against bottom-placed Hyderabad FC. Majcen scored his sixth goal of the season in Punjab FC’s 2-0 win against the Yellow and Black.

Madih Talal (Punjab FC)

The French attacking midfielder has been so impressive in his debut ISL season with his smart vision and offensive awareness. In spite of putting his name on the scoresheet, Talal attempted 11 dribbles (the joint most such attempts by any player in a single ISL game this season) and registered 12 touches (the joint third-most by any player in a single ISL game this season) in the opposition box against Thangboi Singto’s team.

Vikram Partap Singh (Mumbai City FC)

Vikram Partap Singh has been in great form this season, with four goals and one assist to his name. Singh broke the deadlock just after the second-half kick-off (45:39), recording the fastest goal scored in the second half of the ISL 2023–24 season.

Head Coach: Antonio Lopez Habas (Mohun Bagan SG)