Indian TOTW 12: Starlets sparkle across leagues as youthful exuberance tops experience

It was a week for the future stars to shine as they staked their own claim to fame but some experienced heads also made their presence felt.

An action-packed game week in the Indian football scenario, all the leagues saw some brilliant actions. While there were climaxes included in both Indian Super League (ISL) and I-League, the Goa Professional League presented the fans with shockers as heavyweights were forced to defeat against comparatively weaker sides. So who made it to the Team of the Week? Let's find out!

Goalkeeper: Bishorjit Singh (NEROCA FC)

With two clean sheets in as many tightly contested games this week, NEROCA FC keeper Bishorjit Singh finds his place in our Indian players’ TOTW for game week 12. The Manipuri shot-stopper was in his best against Churchill Brothers SC in Goa and received praise for his work between the sticks. In the second match of the week, Singh continued his fine form from the last game and managed to keep another clean sheet against a visiting Gokulam Kerala side as Neroca won 1-0 and lead the I-League charts.

Indian Football Team of the Week 12

Left Back: Subhasish Bose (Bengaluru FC)

It was a memorable homecoming for the Bengaluru FC defender Subhasish Bose. Against ATK, the former Mohun Bagan man was brilliant right from the word – go. His defensive alertness kept opposition attack at bay. It was his excellent attacking prowess that almost fetched the league leaders another goal. The 22-year old wingback has been a regular starter for Albert Roca’s side having played 11 of the 13 league games so far. Subhasish won the “Emerging Player of the Match” on the night.

Left Centre Back: Anwar Ali (Indian Arrows)

A comparatively experienced side like East Bengal were made to work until the last minute of the game as U-17 colt Anwar Ali and his backline stood tall to the Red and Gold’s every challenge inside the box. The 17-year old defender blocked several shots and man marked the East Bengal forwards in a disciplined manner. However, Indian Arrows would be kicking themselves after conceding a 90+3’ decisive goal as East Bengal’s joy knew no bounds. The Arrows centre-half’s remarkable display puts him in our TOTW.

Right Centre Back: Rana Gharami (Mohun Bagan)

Rana Gharami had a great day at the park alongside Kingsley Obumneme in the heart of the defence. The Bagan centre-back managed to keep the Lajong forwards in Abdoulaye Koffi and Saihou Jagne off the radar. The 27-year old defender put on a brilliant display which features him as one of the centre-halves this week.

Right Back: Souvik Chakraborty(Jamshedpur FC)

Souvik Chakraborty carried on his form against Mumbai City FC from where he left against ATK. The versatile midfielder who has been given more defensive role by Steve Coppell once again came out on top as he thwarted anxious Mumbai City attacking runs in a crucial away game. Besides making several match-saving tackles and interceptions, Souvik made occasional runs inside the Mumbai’s box and created goal scoring opportunities.

Also Read

Marking 60 years of the Munich air disaster: Everything you need to know

ISL Week 13 Preview: Chennai and Bengaluru faceoff as Mumbai host Pune in second Maha Derby

ATK set to appoint Robbie Keane as new head coach

Left Centre Midfielder: Sheikh Faiaz (Mohun Bagan)

Sheikh Faiaz came in as a replacement for Azharuddin Mallick. Ever since his arrival, he was just exceptional with his runs down the left flank. Shillong Lajong’s RB Novin Gurung had a tough time containing the Bagan midfielder. It was he who assisted Akram Moghrabi for Bagan’s second goal of the match. Just in the dying minutes of the game, Faiaz found himself on the score sheet as Mohun Bagan registered a convincing 3-0 away win.

Right Centre Midfielder: Zakeer Mundampara (Mumbai City)

Despite Mumbai losing out to Jamshedpur at home, one cannot overlook Zakeer Mundampara’s performance that night. The Kerala born midfielder put in a full shift for the Islanders resisting the Steel city attackers to break free and wreck havoc in the Mumbai half. With 80% pass accuracy, Zakeer’s selfless effort on the pitch lands him in our TOTW.

Left Midfielder: Bikash Jairu (Jamshedpur FC)

Watch: Bikash Jairu scores against Mumbai City FC

In the last quarter of an hour, Bikash Jairu took to field replacing Farukh Choudhary. It proved to be an impactful substitution as the Sikkimese forward netted the ball after Belfort’s shot rebounds off Amrinder Singh. A match-winning effort, especially after coming off the bench features the veteran India international in our TOTW.

Right Midfielder: Jerry Mawihmingthanga (Jamshedpur FC)

Guess what? It's Jerry again. It seems like the Mizo quickie has cemented his place in our TOTW as he features yet again. The 20-year old has been a live wire all throughout the season. Against Mumbai city FC, it was no different. His teasing runs down the right wing gave the opposition wingbacks some torrid time. Steve Coppell must be happy to have such an asset in his disposal at Jamshedpur FC.

Left Forward: C.K. Vineeth (Kerala Blasters)

Watch: CK Vineeth's goal against FC Pune City

The Kerala winger helped his side bag all three points when his brilliant curling shot beat Pune’s Vishal Kaith in goal to shatter the top left corner of the net. While the opposition was holding a very high line Vineeth was caught offside on five occasions while deciding to run free with the ball in his foot. His attacking intent was clearly visible since the beginning of the game. Just as the game was heading for a stalemate, he stole the show with his last-minute heroics.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Right Forward: Liston Colaco (FC Goa)

The tricky striker is one of the brightest players from Goa. He was instrumental in Goan FC's (FC Goa's developmental side) convincing win over Dempo SC in the Goa Professional League. Colaco scored one while also being involved in the other two goals scored by his side in the second session. Overall, this 19-year-old forward has been influential since the start of the season for the junior Gaurs in the GPL.