ISL 2023-24: Team of Matchweek 12
We've selected the best eleven players from Matchweek 12, with a 3-5-2 formation.
The final Matchweek of the year, Matchweek 12 of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season, featured only five matches, with Odisha FC participating in two matches.
The Matchweek, despite being short, was lively and packed with exhilarating action, a broken streak, and goals galore. Odisha FC secured victories in both matches against Punjab FC and Jamshedpur FC, respectively. After ending Mumbai City FC’s unbeaten run in the previous week, Kerala Blasters FC registered their first-ever win in the ISL against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The Islanders secured a convincing win over Chennaiyin FC, while NorthEast United FC and FC Goa played out a 1-1 draw to conclude the calendar year.
A 🌟 studded team to wrap up Matchweek 12 #ISLTOTW 🤩
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) December 30, 2023
Let us know below 👇#ISL #ISL10 #LetsFootball #ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 | @JioCinema @Sports18 @Tiri1991 @ivanvuko19 pic.twitter.com/Kk8KwIA1Kt
As we now head towards the mid-season break, we've selected the best eleven players from Matchweek 12, using a 3-5-2 formation.
Formation: 3-5-2
Goalkeeper
Amrinder Singh (Odisha FC)
The Odisha FC goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in the first of their two matches this week as they saw off Punjab FC 1-0. Singh was terrific between the sticks for the Kalinga Warriors against Jamshedpur FC as they came back from a goal down to register a 4-1 victory over the Men of Steel. He recorded five saves against Jamshedpur FC and maintained a save percentage of 85.7% in Matchweek 12, the best such rate recorded by any custodian this week (min. three saves).
Defenders
Milos Drincic (Kerala Blasters FC)
Drincic was at his typical best in central defence as he constantly thwarted opponents' attacks and was excellent in the air. The Montenegrin is the only player in Matchweek 12 to register a 100% duel success rate (min. three duels). He won all of his four duels against Mohun Bagan Super Giant.
Marco Leskovic (C) (Kerala Blasters FC)
The Kerala Blasters FC captain led by example in the match against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. He played a vital role in the Blasters' backline to nullify the threats posed by the Mariners' attackers, particularly in the second half.
Tiri (Mumbai City FC)
Tiri completes the three-man backline for the Matchweek. The Spanish centre-back formed a partnership with Rahul Bheke and was a rock at the back against Chennaiyin FC, showcasing impressive leadership qualities in the absence of Rostyn Griffiths.
Midfielders
Vikram Partap Singh (Mumbai City FC)
The winger-forward was given a start this week by their new head coach, and Vikram Partap lived up to all the expectations of Petr Kratky. He was a livewire down the left flank for the Islanders and also got his name on the scoresheet when he converted from the spot kick.
Mohammed Azhar (Kerala Blasters FC)
Mohammed Azhar replaced Vibin Mohanan in the starting XI, with the latter being ruled out due to an injury, and Azhar, for not a single moment, made it feel the absence of Vibin, who has been terrific this season. The midfielder attempted eight tackles against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the highest of all players in Matchweek 12, and won four of them, also the highest number this week.
Apuia (Mumbai City FC)
Apuia played a pivotal role in controlling the midfield for Mumbai City FC against Chennaiyin FC. The midfielder was key in the attacking areas as well and earned an assist during the match.
Ahmed Jahouh (Odisha FC)
Jahouh once again proved why he is one of the best midfielders in the league with brilliant performances in both matches. The Moroccan recorded 147 touches against Punjab FC and 141 touches against Jamshedpur FC, both occurring this week. These are the second and joint-third highest touches (also Marcos Tebar for Delhi Dynamos vs Kerala Blasters FC in December 2016) ever registered by a player in the history of the Indian Super League, only behind Jahouh's own record of 154 touches against Jamshedpur FC in March 2018.
Isak Ralte (Odisha FC)
Isak Ralte had two terrific matches over the week and recorded two assists and one goal in Matchweek 12, making him the only player to register multiple assists in this Matchweek. In fact, he is the only player, along with Roy Krishna, to record at least a goal as well as an assist in Matchweek 12.
Forwards
Dimitrios Diamantakos (Kerala Blasters FC)
Diamantakos scored the only goal for Kerala Blasters FC as they registered their first-ever win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the ISL. A moment of brilliance from the attacker proved to be the deciding factor in the match. He scored the goal from an expected goals tally (xG) of 0.19; his xG differential of 0.81 is the joint second-highest (also Gurkirat Singh) among all forwards in Matchweek 12.
Roy Krishna (Odisha FC)
Roy Krishna delivered two outstanding performances for Sergio Lobera’s side this week as he scored the winning goal against Punjab FC and bagged a brace and an assist against Jamshedpur FC. He recorded four goal contributions in Matchweek 12, the most of any player this week. In fact, he is the only player this week to score multiple goals.
