Matchweek 9 of the Indian Super League (ISL) was an intense affair, with engaging battles all around the pitch. It was a highly emotional matchweek in which Odisha FC striker Diego Mauricio and Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Juan Ferrando received red cards in the opening match of the week. Out of the five matches played in this matchweek, four of them ended on level terms with Mumbai City FC’s dominant win over Bengaluru FC with a scoreline of 4-0 being the only exception.

Many players continued their impressive performances in this matchweek, and a selected few rose to the occasion more than others, having made a significant impact on their respective teams. With matchweek 10 set to begin on Tuesday, we've selected the best eleven players from Matchweek 9, with a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Goalkeeper

Phurba Lachenpa (Mumbai City FC)

 

Lachenpa saved a powerful shot from Bengaluru FC captain Sunil Chhetri, handing his team their first clean sheet this season, when the two sides met at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore. Although he has been consistently good throughout the season, his first clean sheet in ISL 2023-24 makes this week a bit more special for goalkeeper from Sikkim.

Defenders

Nishu Kumar (East Bengal FC)

 

The East Bengal FC defender has been pivotal for the Red and Gold Brigade in two of three matches this season where his team managed to keep a clean sheet. Against Punjab FC, who were desperate to get their first win this season, Kumar prevented his team from conceding any goal with his well-timed tackles and inch-perfect interceptions.

Laldinpuia Pachuau (Jamshedpur FC)

 

PC Laldinpuia became the ninth player and the only defender to record six or more touches in the opposition box while winning the possession back six or more times in a single game in ISL 2023-24. His impact in Jamshedpur FC is not only restricted to the backline but also helps them increase their attacking intensity.

Suresh Meitei (Punjab FC)

 

Suresh Meitei made three blocks against East Bengal FC in Matchday 9, the joint-highest such tally by any player in a single game in the ongoing ISL season. In a difficult season for Punjab FC, Meitei seems to be a silver lining. 

Akash Mishra (Mumbai City FC)

 

The Mumbai City FC wing-back scored a banger against Bengaluru FC doubling their lead in the first half of the match. Having established himself as a reliable starter for the Islanders, Mishra has shown excellent creativity in the wings of Mumbai City FC, proving himself a crucial point in their defence to attack transitions. 

Midfielders

Greg Stewart (Mumbai City FC)

 

With his assist against Bengaluru FC in Matchday 9, Greg Stewart became just the third player to reach 20 goals and 20 assists in the ISL after Hugo Boumous and Roy Krishna. He became the fastest player to reach this milestone, enlisting himself in the team of the week. 

Ahmed Jahouh (Odisha FC)

 

Ahmed Jahouh completed six out of his six attempted tackles in Matchday 9, the highest such tally by any player in a single game with 100% success rate in the ongoing Indian Super League season. He also became just the fourth player to score a brace against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in ISL, proving his worth as a perfect midfielder, doing wonders in the backline as well as in the final third.

Ninthoinganba Meetei (Chennaiyin FC)

 

Ninthoi Meetei has proven himself instrumental for Chennaiyin FC. With his second goal in the league this season, Meetei helped the Marina Machans bag a point against Jamshedpur FC, sealing them the eighth place on the table, only one point off the top six.

Abdenasser El Khayati (Mumbai City FC)

 

In his second start in ISL 2023-24, El Khayati scored the opener for Mumbai City FC who then went on to demolish Bengaluru FC 4-0. El Khayati had been the only scorer for Mumbai City FC in the AFC Champions League 2023-24 campaign and continued his hunger for goals when setting foot at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, bagging himself his first goal for the Islanders in the league.

Petteri Pennanen (Hyderabad FC)

 

Pennanen scored his first goal in the ISL in the form of Hyderabad FC’s equalizer against a dominant NorthEast United FC in the concluding game of matchweek 9. His hard-earned goal helped his team secure a desperate point from the fixture.

Forward

Armando Sadiku (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

 

With his remarkable brace in the dying minutes of the match against Odisha FC, Armando Sadiku recorded the best differential between expected goals (0.72) and actual goals scored in Matchday 9 (2) of the ongoing ISL season. His two goals helped Mohun Bagan Super Giant prevent a second consecutive loss against the Kalinga Warriors.  

Head Coach: Anthony Fernandes (Mumbai City FC)