ISL 2025-26: Ezzejjari, Rahim Ali lead charge in Team of the Week for Matchweek 11

East Bengal FC are the current table toppers of ISL 2025-26

A season that had to wait almost six months to begin is now entering its most decisive phase, with the ISL title race heating up at the top of the table with just two to three weeks of action left in the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season.

Matchweek 11 of the 2025-26 ISL season saw three teams play twice, while three other sides did not feature at all. The week began with East Bengal registering a 3-0 win over Odisha FC, before Jamshedpur FC eased past FC Goa with a 2-0 victory.

NorthEast United edged past 10-man Inter Kashi 3-2 thanks to Parthib’s late winner, while Sporting Club Delhi and Punjab FC played out a goalless draw in the capital. Odisha then held Bengaluru FC to a draw in their second game of the week, extending Pep Munoz’s wait for his first ISL win as head coach of the Blues.

In the penultimate game of the week, East Bengal extended Mumbai City FC’s winless run to four games as they came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 and take all three points. Chennaiyin FC’s miserable ISL campaign continued as they suffered another defeat, this time against Punjab FC in the final match of the week.

With Mohun Bagan SG enjoying a mini-break and not playing for almost 20 days, East Bengal’s back-to-back wins have taken them to the top of the 2025-26 ISL standings with 21 points from 10 games. Jamshedpur FC are level on points in second place but trail on goal difference.

At the other end of the table, Mohammedan SC remain rooted to the bottom with no change in their position.

From Mohammedan SC players reportedly refusing to train, to Manolo Marquez calling the AIFF a dictatorship, to Antonio Lopez Habas describing the ISL as a stupid league, to Oscar Bruzon announcing his departure at the end of the season, and refereeing controversy in the Mumbai City FC vs East Bengal clash, Matchweek 11 delivered its usual share of drama, if not more.

Here are 11 players who caught the eye and made it into our ISL 2025-26 Team of the Week for MW 11.

Formation (4-4-2)

GK: Gurpreet Singh

Although Bengaluru FC could not keep a clean sheet and had to settle for a draw against Odisha FC, Gurpreet Singh had a busy outing between the posts. The Indian international was tested repeatedly by Odisha’s attackers from distance and responded with a number of solid saves.

He produced an excellent rushing save to deny possible goal-scoring opportunity for Kartik Hantal around the hour mark, while also dealing comfortably with long-range efforts from Rahim Ali, Isak, Puitea and Sanathoi.

He could perhaps have done better for the goal he conceded to Rahim, and Gurpreet would likely be the first to acknowledge that.

LB: Nikhil Barla

Another strong performance came from Jamshedpur FC full-back Nikhil Barla in his side’s 2-0 win over FC Goa at the Furnace.

Having consistently performed at both left-back and right-back this season, Nikhil once again did an excellent job in keeping the FC Goa wide players quiet.

He made 6 recoveries and won 7 duels against the likes of Yasir and Rabeeh. He also switched play effectively from the back and looked to release his pacy wingers with long passes.

CB: Rafael Riberio

Playing at home, Sporting Club Delhi earned a very valuable point against Punjab FC with a goalless draw, and Rafael Riberio played a crucial role at the heart of defense in the absence of Alex Saji.

Riberio dominated physically and aerially against the likes of an in-form Effiong Nsungusi. He won all of his duels and tackles, made 7 clearances, 4 recoveries, and blocked 4 shots, many of them vital last-ditch interventions that helped preserve the clean sheet and secured a point.

CB: Kevin Sibille

East Bengal have firmly established themselves in the ISL title race, and Kevin Sibille’s defensive contributions alongside Anwar Ali and Jeakson Singh have played a major part in that.

Sibille started both games and looked assured throughout. Across 180 minutes, East Bengal conceded only once, thanks to the defender’s valiant efforts.

He made 9 clearances and 12 important recoveries while winning almost every duel, both aerial and on the ground.

RB: Lhungdim

If he continues to perform with the same aggression, intensity and consistency as he has displayed in ISL 2025-26, a national team call-up may not be too far away for the young right-back.

Punjab FC kept clean sheets in both matches, and Lhungdim played a major role on the right side of defence. Across the two games, he registered 21 successful defensive actions. He won 16 of his 24 duels, made 11 clearances and 9 recoveries, and most importantly kept both Augustine and Farukh Chaudhary quiet throughout.

Going forward, he also made several dangerous overlapping runs and created 3 key chances with his crossing and passing.

LM: Madih Talal

Jamshedpur FC’s 2025-26 ISL season can almost be split into two phases- with Madih Talal in the starting XI and without him.

The Red Miners have played 11 matches this season, winning 6 and failing to win 5. In every game they have won, Talal has started. In every game they have failed to win, he has not started.

The French midfielder was once again outstanding against FC Goa, scoring a superb long-range goal in the closing minutes that left Hrithik Tiwari with no chance.

He also created 3 key chances, progressed the ball consistently, and made several important recoveries high up the pitch.

CM: Ricky Shabong

With Nikhil Prabhu injured from the start of the season and now ruled out for the rest of it, it was important for Panagiotis Dilmperis that either Vinit Rai or Ricky Shabong stepped up. Ricky has done exactly that.

With Samir Zeljkovic and Dani Ramirez given the freedom to push forward, Ricky has taken on the destructive role in midfield, breaking up attacks and recycling possession.

He played an important part in helping Punjab FC keep clean sheets in both matches. Even if it was not his best week, he still won all of his tackles, made 7 recoveries and 4 interceptions.

He also maintained a combined passing accuracy of over 85%, with more than half of his passes played in the opposition half.

CM: Sergio Llamas

When Inter Kashi were reduced to 10 men early in the second half and fell two goals behind, they needed inspiration, and Sergio Llamas almost provided it.

He was involved in both of Inter Kashi’s goals. The first was a superb direct free-kick that gave no chance to Gurmeet in the opposition goal. For the second, he turned provider as his corner was converted by Asif Khan.

Defensively, he also contributed with 5 clearances, 3 recoveries, 2 interceptions and 4 duels won, but it was not enough as Parthib’s late strike secured all three points for NorthEast United.

RM: Bipin Singh

Operating in a new role under Oscar Bruzon in recent matches, Bipin Singh has adapted impressively as a right wing-back for East Bengal.

His impact has not been limited to defensive work. Against Odisha FC, Bipin opened the scoring with a fine finish and then provided the assist for Youssef Ezzejjari for East Bengal’s third goal.

Across both games, he also delivered several dangerous crosses towards the far post.

Defensively, he was dribbled past only once and remained solid, winning key duels while making important interceptions and blocks.

ST: Youssef Ezzejjari

After drawing blanks against Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC, Youssef Ezzejjari returned to scoring form with 3 goals in 2 games during this match week.

Coming off the bench against Odisha FC, the Spanish striker scored a brace to secure all three points. Both goals were classic poacher’s finishes that highlighted his impressive movement inside the box.

In the second match against Mumbai City FC, he calmly converted from the penalty spot to seal victory and send East Bengal to the top of the table. He also climbed to the top of the 2025-26 ISL golden boot race with these three goals.

ST: Rahim Ali

One of the advantages of Odisha FC fielding only one foreigner is that Rahim Ali is finally getting regular minutes in his natural striker role, rather than being shifted to right-back or out wide as in previous seasons.

Rahim was Odisha’s biggest threat, if not their only real one against East Bengal in the opening game of the week. He consistently found himself in good positions in the box and came close to scoring on several occasions.

He then showed better composure in the following match against Bengaluru FC, finishing smartly with his left foot past Gurpreet Singh to give his side the lead.

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