ISL 2025-26: Ebindas, Irfan lead charge in Team of the Week for Matchweek 8

Mumbai City remain at the top of the table after MW-8 in ISL 2025-26 table.

With eight game weeks of ISL 2025/26 action completed, the first half of the season has come to a close, with each club having played at least seven games, with the exception of Odisha FC, which had a number of games postponed.

While some clubs have outperformed expectations, some have significantly underperformed in the first half.

The eighth match week of the 2025/26 ISL season began with Tomasz Tchorz’s Delhi defeating Northeast United FC 3-0. FC Goa returned to winning ways with a commanding 3-1 victory over the Juggernauts at the Fatorda in the following game.

East Bengal resumed ISL action on Saturday, defeating Chennaiyin FC 3-1 after missing out on the previous game week.

Kerala Blasters defeated 10-man Bengaluru FC 2-1 in the second game of the day, giving them their first ISL win of the 2025/26 season.

Inter Kashi secured yet another victory, defeating Mohammedan SC 1-0 in the fifth game of the week. Mohun Bagan SG fought back from two goals down to overcome Punjab FC 3-2 in the week’s second-to-last game, while Kerala Blasters and Northeast United drew 1-1 in the final game.

While Jamshedpur FC and Mumbai City FC did not play this week, the latter still leads the rankings by a slim 1-point margin over Mohun Bagan SG. While a victory and a draw have given the Blasters some breathing room at the lower end of the league, Mohammedan remains at the bottom with no points.

From the Kerala Blasters’ first victory at the Kanteerava in ISL history to Clifford Miranda calling out the East Bengal squad and refusing to shake hands with their staff, there was no shortage of drama in this ISL MW as usual.

Not to mention the referee errors; practically every game contained at least one match-defining mistake, as one would expect in the ISL.

Here are 11 players that grabbed our interest and made it into our ISL 2025-26 squad of the week for MW 8.

Formation (4-2-3-1)

GK: Nora Fernandes

In a week where several goalkeepers, like Bob Jackson, Mohammad Nawaz, and Vishal Kaith, have put up outstanding performances, Nora edges ahead of them just because he was able to preserve his team’s clean sheet.

Nora was called into action on many occasions throughout the game, but the former Kerala Blasters goalkeeper was on top of his game, making important stops to keep his team in the game and prevent any defensive mishaps.

LB: Vishnu PV

Vishnu, who is not a natural left back, has been deployed in a left-back/left wing-back role by Oscar Bruzon in recent games, and he appears to be enjoying the switch.

While he was defensively vulnerable at the beginning of the game, Vishnu improved as the game progressed and was a persistent threat to the Chennaiyin defense with his forward runs. He assisted on the game’s second goal and came close to scoring on multiple occasions.

CB: Pol Moreno

In a week marked by an increasing number of goals scored and fewer clean sheets, it’s tough to find a center-back with better performance than Pol Moreno. With Odisha relying heavily on counterattacks and long balls, Pol performed admirably at the defense, making important interceptions and winning all of his aerial duels.

He contributed to the attack by hitting a fantastic free kick from long range with his right foot. This was Moreno’s second goal of the season for the Gaurs in ISL 2025/26.

CB: Nishchal Chandan

The big, imposing center back in the Inter Kashi defense delivered another fantastic performance. Nishchal, who moved from the I-League to the ISL this season, has been in excellent form and continues to amaze with each passing week.

Habas chose Nishchal over foreign defender Humanes at the back, and he is slowly establishing himself as one of India’s top defenders. The defender made seven clearances and four interceptions against Mohammedan, thwarting the opposition’s attempts to score with crucial defensive actions to preserve the clean sheet.

RB: Sandip Mandi

Coming up against a young Mohammedan side that relies heavily on its wingers to create opportunities through direct play and crossing, Sandip played an important part in keeping the opposing wingers at bay with a strong defensive performance. He made seven clearances during the game, evading each challenge.

Moving forward, he was threatening with his crosses and overlapping runs. Sandip created the game’s only goal with  a superb cross from the left flank, which was turned in by Asif Khan.

CM: Abdul Halik Hudu

In his team’s 3-0 victory over Northeast United FC, the Sporting Club Delhi midfielder played the ideal role of a destroyer in the center of the park. The midfielder made nine recoveries in the middle of the pitch and won 5/6 ground duels.

He also made a few critical blocks and interceptions, as well as playing a few key passes to help the attack. But, more than any of these statistics, he made sure to keep the opposition’s best player, Andy, quiet throughout the game.

CM: Dani Ramirez

Coming up against an Apuia-less Mohun Bagan midfield, Punjab FC’s Spanish midfielder Danish Ramirez took advantage of the occasion, scoring and creating numerous opportunities for his teammates.

Dani gave the Shers an early lead with a left-footed strike from close range, and he produced four big chances in the final third with his brilliance from open play and set pieces. He was also continually attempting to win the ball back in the middle of the park, completing five recoveries and winning three ground duels.

LW: Sahal Abdul Samad

While Sergio Lobera was questioned about Sahal’s minutes ahead of the game against Punjab, the former Kerala Blasters FC player proved his quality on the pitch with a magnificent long-range strike that left the opposing goalie with little chance.

Sahal came off the bench and drastically changed the game for the Mariners. Sahal was instrumental in helping the Mariners recover from a 2-1 deficit to a 3-2 win. He accomplished an exceptional game, winning defensive duels, completing all of his dribbles, creating opportunities, and scoring a goal.

CAM: Ebindas Yesudasan

While Ebindas played little in Kerala Blasters’ second game of the week against Northeast United FC, young midfielder played a significant part in the club’s first win of the season against Bengaluru FC at the Kanteerava.

Ebindas assisted both goals with two fantastic defensive splitting passes that set up easy chances for his peers Victor Bertomeu and Fransisco Feuillaser. With these two assists, Ebindas now leads the 2025/26 ISL assists chart with four assists.

RW: Joseph Sunny

Joseph is one of the Indian attackers who is currently in excellent form in the ISL, scoring goals and providing assists while putting up a strong performance. The SC Delhi attacker was on fire in the team’s most recent match against Northeast United FC, scoring twice and adding an assist.

Both goals he scored demonstrated something Indian football has lacked for some time: a calmness in front of the goal. With this brace and an assist, Joseph now has four goal contributions in the six games he has played this season. 

ST: Irfan Yadwad

Being tasked to start as the striker with both Daniel Chima Chukwu and Inigo Martin benched, Irfan Yadwad repaid the faith shown by his coach with a brilliant, well-taken goal against East Bengal FC. Irfan was a relentless menace to the East Bengal defense, both inside the box and on the flanks. He attempted a few shots from dangerous positions and once struck the woodwork as well.

With more games under his belt as a striker, one could expect that Irfan Yadwad returns to his best, a confident striker who is lethal in front of goal, like we witnessed in ISL 2024/25.

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