Indian Football Team Player Watch: Amrinder, Chhetri excel; Mehtab, Poojary need to improve

Goalkeepers Amrinder Singh & Vishal Kaith displayed top-notch performance this week.

The first report of the Indian football team that comprised 26 members for the AFC Asian Cup was published last week by Khel Now. This is a week to week analysis of the performance of the players in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24, who were part of the Indian side in the last tournament. 

This analysis is done keeping a look at the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier matches of India in the month of March. In the last week, while some maintained their performances, some lost the momentum in the mix. A complete analysis of each player has been noted in this article. 

The performances of the 26 players in the Gameweek 16 of ISL. 

Amrinder Singh –  8

Amrinder played a pivotal role for Odisha FC in the match against Mohun Bagan. The goalkeeper executed 4 saves during the game, effectively contributing to Odisha FC’s ability to secure a draw against such a formidable opponent.

Vishal Kaith – 7.5

In the past week of play, Vishal maintained his performance with a clean sheet game against the Odisha FC. He made a total of 2 saves in the match that helped his team to draw the game. 

Vikram Partap Singh – 7.5

Vikram sustained his level of performance in the recent match against Chennaiyin FC. Despite not scoring, he exhibited brilliance in his initial ball controls and passing throughout the game. 

Subhasish Bose – 7.5

Subhasish displayed an enhanced performance in Mohun Bagan’s recent match against Odisha FC. He demonstrated exceptional skill with his tackles and clearances, and exuded confidence during ground duels throughout the game.

Sunil Chhetri – 7.5

Although Sunil Chhetri did not score a goal for his team in the last match, the experienced campaigner performed admirably in Bengaluru’s recent game against Hyderabad. Guiding his team has been his primary role in the matches, and he also excelled in the last game by rarely losing possession.

Akash Mishra – 7

The left back had a decent outing for Mumbai City FC. He played a major role at the defense line and clinically made two clearances and blocked a shot that could have made a difference in the game. 

Rahul Bheke – 7

Rahul played a crucial role at the back during the match against Chennaiyin FC. Despite losing possession on several occasions, he excelled in clearances and tackles.

Lalengmawia Ralte –  7

As always, Apuia delivered a brilliant performance in the match against Chennaiyin FC. The midfielder from Mumbai demonstrated exceptional passing accuracy and showcased a superior performance in the attacking aspect of the game compared to the defensive end. Additionally, he successfully won six ground duels throughout the match.

Sahal Abdul Samad – 7

With each match, Sahal continues to demonstrate improvement in his game since returning from injury. He delivered a strong performance in the match against Odisha FC, mainly opting for short passes over long balls.

Manvir Singh – 6.5

Manvir appeared less effective in the game compared to the other players who led Mohun Bagan’s front end against Odisha FC. While he displayed proficiency in his passing, he lacked the necessary intent to maintain his team’s presence at the forefront of the game.

Rahul Kannoly Praveen – 6.5

Rahul demonstrated enhanced performance in KBFC’s recent match against FC Goa. He displayed proficiency in executing long passes and effectively maintained momentum on the field through well-contested duels.

Naorem Mahesh Singh –  6.5

Naorem’s 75-minute presence on the field did not yield significant results for East Bengal, as the midfielder demonstrated a lack of intent and was not at his best with his passes. However, he displayed a commendable performance in maintaining a strong presence in the backline and exhibited clinical defensive skills.

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – 6.5

Gurpreet delivered a significantly enhanced performance during Bengaluru FC’s match against Hyderabad FC. The goalkeeper executed four crucial saves, contributing to his team’s victory over a youthful Hyderabad side that displayed unwavering confidence throughout the match.

Lallianzuala Chhangte –  6.5

Chhangte’s performance declined in comparison to his previous game. Despite managing to take one shot on target, he lost possession 12 times during the match and was also caught offside once.

Lalchungnunga – 6

Lalchungnunga was able to participate in a full match after previously being on the bench during the match against Hyderabad and getting four minutes of playtime against Jamshedpur. His performance was notably precise in terms of defensive play. However, it is imperative that the young player receives more playing time in the upcoming fixtures in order to prepare for the World Cup qualifier tie.

Deepak Tangri – 7.5

Deepak Tangri delivered a significantly improved performance during Mohun Bagan’s match against Odisha FC. Not only did he excel in the forward position, but he also demonstrated mastery in defensive tactics. With seven tackles, three clearances, and an 84% passing accuracy, Deepak emerged as the focal point of the match.

Udanta Singh – 6

FC Goa participated in two matches during matchweek 16, with Udanta contributing to both fixtures. His performance was satisfactory in the match against NorthEast United FC, but notably improved in the match against Kerala Blasters. In the latter game, he displayed strength and proficiency in ground duels.

Mehtab Singh – 6

Mehtab’s performance in the match against Chennaiyin FC was rather average. The young player displayed fluency in his passes but appeared to lack the necessary determination on the pitch. As a result, the coach decided to substitute him at the beginning of the second half.

Nikhil Poojary –  6

Nikhil appears to be encountering difficulties with his form in the recent matches. With only one successful clearance throughout the game, the right back conceded possession sixteen times during the match.

Sandesh Jhingan – N/A  

Liston Colaco – N/A

Pritam Kotal – N/A

Anirudh Thapa – N/A

Brandon Fernandes –  N/A

Ishan Pandita – N/A

Suresh Singh Wangjam –  N/A

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