Top goalkeepers of Hero ISL 2015
Season 2 of the Hero Indian Super league (ISL) was an absolute goal-fest, which saw the back of the net ripple a staggering 186 times.
Season 2 of the Hero Indian Super league (ISL) was an absolute goal-fest, which saw the back of the net ripple a staggering 186 times. It was indeed goals galore in the second edition of India's biggest footballing extravaganza as attacking players from all eight teams wreaked havoc to such an extent that five goals or more were scored in a total of 15 matches over the course of the season. This goes on to underline the dominance that the attack-minded players had in Hero ISL 2015. However, a handful of goalkeepers too put in some brilliant displays for their respective sides to ensure that the attack-minded midfielders and strikers didn't have it all their way. Here are the top 5 goalkeepers who brought their A-game and churned out incredible performances in the second season of the Hero ISL.
Apoula Edel (Chennaiyin FC): Custodian for Hero ISL's new kings Chennaiyin FC, Apoula Edel etched his name into the history books along with team-mate Fikru Teferra as the only two players to have won the league twice. The Armenian keeper, who had previously helped Atlético de Kolkata become champions, picked up where he had left off as he put together a string of match-winning performances in goal for the Super Machans to guide them to the coveted Hero ISL crown. Edel looked in inspired form right from the outset as he saved an ATK penalty during the opening match of Season 2. Edel's presence in goal played a big hand in making Chennaiyin FC the league's meanest defence as the 29-year-old collected the Golden Glove Award. He conceded a goal every 90 minutes for Chennaiyin FC - the best by any goalkeeper in the league. Edel also conceded the least number of goals (13) and kept more clean sheets (6) than any other goalkeeper in the league. His performance against his old side ATK in the semi-final was one of the highlights of Season 2 as he guided the southerners to their first final.
Antonio Doblas (Delhi Dynamos FC): The veteran Spaniard provided an added sense of security to Delhi Dynamos FC's backline as he helped the Lions reach their maiden semi-final. Doblas consistently produced scintillating performances that saw him make near-impossible saves between the Lions' posts. Besides keeping three clean sheets, the Spanish custodian was also second in terms of saves made by keepers, having kept out 45 attempts on goal for the Dynamos.
TP Rehenesh (NorthEast United FC): The only goalkeeper on the list to not have made it to the semis, TP Rehenesh stood out as one of the shining lights of NorthEast United FC's campaign. Rehenesh played his part by being a defiant presence between the posts for opposition attackers to get past as the Highlanders narrowly missed out on a semi-final berth. The 22-year-old keeper often came to the rescue of his defenders as he made more saves than any other keeper in the league (47). Rehenesh was also second in terms of clean sheets having recorded four shut-outs for the Highlanders.
Laxmikant Kattimani (FC Goa): The 26-year-old local boy turned out to be one of the revelations of Season 2 for FC Goa as they agonisingly missed out on the Hero ISL trophy in dramatic fashion. Kattimani shared second spot with Antonio Doblas in terms of saves made (45) and kept three clean sheets, making him joint-third along with Mumbai City FC's Subrata Paul and Doblas in terms of shut-outs. He also pulled off a magnificent save from a penalty in the final against Chennaiyin FC at a crucial juncture to keep his side in the game.
Amrinder Singh (Atlético de Kolkata): One of the best young keepers to have emerged from Season 2, Amrinder Singh was one of the main reasons behind ATK having the second best defensive record in the league. The 22-year-old produced a match-winning performance in goal away at Mumbai City FC where he helped his side come away 4-1 victors. Amrinder's minutes-per-goal-conceded-ratio of 73 was second only to Apoula Edel's 90. He also made 40 saves, the third best by any keeper in the league.













