Matchweek 23 of the Indian Super League (ISL) started off with Hyderabad FC hosting Mumbai City FC in a grinding goalless draw, followed by Jamshedpur FC's commanding two-nil victory against the newcomers, Mohammedan Sporting Club. Bengaluru FC kept the ball rolling with another away victory when they took on NorthEast United FC.

On a double-header Saturday, East Bengal FC handed a 3-1 defeat to Punjab FC away from home. The second game of the night took us to Kochi, and FC Goa kept their good run going with a fine 2-0 victory against Kerala Blasters FC. And for the main event, Mohun Bagan Super Giant clinched the League Shield with a hard-fought victory against Odisha FC at home.

Some players delivered standout performances despite their teams not securing a win, while others proved to be matchwinners.

Here is the Team of the Week, featuring a 4-3-3 formation.

Head Coach

Jose Molina (Mohun Bagan SG)

Undoubtedly, the pick for head coach of the week is none other than this season's League Shield-winning coach, Jose Molina, representing the Mohun Bagan SG. The Mariners under him have showcased one of the most dominant and decisive campaigns ever by any other team in the history of the ISL.

The Mariners had a firm grip on the League Shield ever since the initial stages of the season. As they hosted Odisha FC at home in front of their excited fanbase, with hopes of taking home the Shield at the end of 90 minutes, they executed their plan to perfection, winning with a one-goal margin, and adding another clean sheet to their name.

Goalkeeper

Arshdeep Singh (Hyderabad FC)

Hyderabad FC's Arshdeep Singh, who won the Player of the Match in the exciting encounter against Mumbai City FC, has rightfully taken the number one spot in our Matchweek 23 team after showcasing an extremely impressive performance.

Throughout the match, he effectively repelled a multitude of attacking efforts from the opposition, demonstrating remarkable skill and composure. With an outstanding total of seven key saves, along with 14 recoveries, he played a crucial role in ensuring a well-deserved goalless draw for his side. His contributions on the field were instrumental in thwarting the attackers and maintaining his team's defensive integrity throughout the game.

Defenders

Mohammed Rakip (East Bengal FC)

East Bengal FC full-back Mohammed Rakip, has effectively cemented his role as our right-back following an impressive and standout performance against Punjab FC. In this match, he not only displayed his defensive capabilities but also made significant contributions to the attacking play by delivering four crucial passes into the final third of the pitch.

Additionally, Rakip demonstrated his tactical awareness by making three important recoveries, helping to regain possession for his team. Furthermore, he showcased his physical prowess by winning four duels against opposing players, reflecting his overall effectiveness on the field and reinforcing his importance within the team's defensive lineup.

Stefan Sapic (Hyderabad FC)

The 27-year-old Serbian center-back showcased an impressive performance during the match in which Hyderabad FC went up against Mumbai City FC. He excelled by winning a total of five duels against his opponents, demonstrating his skill and determination on the field.

Additionally, he made three crucial blocks that were vital in maintaining the team’s defensive strength, ultimately helping his side secure a clean sheet in their goalless draw. His contributions were key in ensuring that the team left the pitch without conceding any goals.

Carlos Delgado (Odisha FC)

Carlos Delgado showcased an impressive defensive display during the match against the League Shield winners, Mohun Bagan SG. Despite Odisha FC ending up on the losing side, Delgado remained a crucial part of his team’s defensive line. He achieved the highest passing accuracy of the evening, which significantly contributed to enhancing his team's build-up play and maintaining possession. In addition to his passing success, he executed nine vital clearances that helped Odisha FC thwart Mohun Bagan SG’s attacking efforts. Furthermore, Delgado made four important duels.

Muhammed Uvais (Jamshedpur FC)

Muhammed Uvais rounds out our defensive lineup this week after an eventful performance in Matchweek 23 against Mohammedan SC. He contributed six final third passes and made six crucial clearances and interceptions. Additionally, Uvais won five duels and made four recoveries.

Midfielders

Carl McHugh (FC Goa, Captain)

Carl McHugh of FC Goa earned a spot on our team for the week for his outstanding performance against Kerala Blasters FC. The 32-year-old completed 54 successful passes — the most in the match — and won seven duels. He contributed eight precise passes into the final third and made eight crucial recoveries while bolstering the defense by winning seven of nine attempted duels. His impressive showing deserves the captain's armband in our squad.

Alberto Noguera (Bengaluru FC)

Bengaluru FC's midfielder Alberto Noguera makes it to our team of the week list after a Player of the Match performance against NorthEast United FC. The 35-year-old Spaniard started off well, scoring the opener and also managed to score the second goal of the night in the final minutes of the game.

Noguera also created several goal-scoring opportunities during his game while providing seven critical passes into the final third. And also provided seven quick recoveries and won eight duels.

Naorem Mahesh (East Bengal FC)

Naorem Mahesh of East Bengal FC secures the final midfield spot after consecutive selections in our Team of the Week. The 25-year-old shone in the match against Punjab FC, scoring a goal and delivering the highest tackle count among outfield players. He also contributed defensively with six recoveries and won nine of 17 duels.

Forwards

Iker Guarrotxena (FC Goa)

FC Goa's forward has once again been recognized for his exceptional performance by being named in Team of the Week for the second consecutive time. This recognition comes after another impressive display during Matchweek 23 against Kerala Blasters FC. In that match, Guarrotxena not only scored a stunning goal that showcased his striking ability, but he also provided a crucial assist, further contributing to his team's offensive efforts. Additionally, he created three significant goal-scoring opportunities, demonstrating his vision and playmaking skills on the field. Furthermore, his ability to make several key passes into the final third was instrumental in maintaining pressure on the opposing defense throughout the match.

Dimitrios Diamantakos (East Bengal FC)

Dimitrios Diamantakos delivered an outstanding performance during his match against Punjab FC, which undoubtedly secured him a well-deserved spot among the top forwards. After facing challenges finding the back of the net in the preceding weeks, the 31-year-old striker showcased his skills by scoring an excellent goal that provided his team with a crucial lead. He had a chance to build on his tally but his shot struck the woodwork. He consistently made his presence known both in midfield and in the more dangerous areas of the pitch, applying pressure on his opponents and contributing to various attacking plays. His performance was a key factor in the team's success.

Dimitrios Petratos (Mohun Bagan SG)

Dimitri Petratos, representing Mohun Bagan Super Giant, has successfully secured the final position on our team of the week. The Australian, who was substituted in the 78th minute of the match, played a crucial role in securing the victory over Odisha FC by scoring the decisive goal that ultimately helped the Mariners bag the coveted Shield. He not only showcased his tactical awareness and skill but also demonstrated an impressive work rate despite limited minutes on the pitch. Petratos managed to register a total of four shots on target during the match, with one of those efforts proving to be the winning goal, thus contributing to the team's success in a critical moment.



Related tags:

Bengaluru FCFC GoaJamshedpur FCOdisha FCHyderabad FCEast Bengal FCMohun Bagan Super Giant