ISL 2025-26: Anirudh Thapa, Gurpreet Singh lead charge in Team of the Week for Matchweek 2

East Bengal are at the top of the table while SC Delhi finds themselves in the relegation zone at the end of ISL MW-2.

Another packed, interesting week of football in the 2025/26 ISL has come to a close, with many amazing moments on the pitch as well as some controversy off the pitch. On the pitch, many players demonstrated exceptional brilliance, and Rinzuala’s goal against Bengaluru FC was one of them.

The altercation between the Blasters’ management and the GCDA before the team’s home game against Mumbai City demonstrated that there is never a typical week in Indian football without problems.

The match week began with FC Goa defeating Mohammedan SC in Kolkata, while East Bengal extended their dominating start to the ISL season with a win versus SC Delhi in the second game of the week. In the following game, Jamshedpur FC defeated Punjab FC at the Furnace.

NorthEast United earned a draw against Bengaluru FC in the fourth encounter, while Mumbai City defeated the Blasters in Kochi later that day.

Mohun Bagan SG accomplished what they do well in the second but last game of the week, thumping at home, with Chennaiyin FC being the latest victim. In the week’s last game, Odisha FC and Inter Kashi FC shared the spoils at the Kalinga.

As the ISL season progresses, players are gradually regaining match fitness, and there were some standout performances. However, these eleven players, have drawn attention this match week.

Formation: 4-4-2

GK – Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Bengaluru FC supporters should be grateful to the big man in goal for at least rescuing a tie, even though they will be disappointed that they lost points at home. Despite conceding a spectacular rocket from Rinzuala, Gurpreet made several excellent stops to keep the scoreboard intact.

Gurpreet overworked his reflexes to save everything, including long shots, set pieces, and tap-ins, which enabled Bengaluru FC to get a draw.

LB – Akash Mishra

Akash Mishra, who suffered a horrible ACL injury last season, is gradually returning to 100% fitness, and his display against the Blasters indicated that he was back at his best. Akash lined up against Korou on the right side and did a fantastic job keeping the Blasters’ youngster quiet.

Akash had a flawless evening, winning all of his ground duels and tackles. He also made a couple key blocks to prevent threatening crosses into the box from the flanks. Instead of retreating, Akash was on the front foot, attempting to win the ball as high as possible and launch rapid counterattacks.

CB – Pol Moreno

Although it appears that defending against an all-Indian Mohammedan SC should be a simple task for Spanish center-back Pol Moreno on paper, the opposition was making some excellent transitions and attempting to launch rapid counterattacks.

Moreno and Jhingan were both on the front foot, attempting to halt their attacks. With his proactive tackles and interceptions, Moreno stepped into the middle to help his team regain possession of the ball. On top of his defensive performance, he scored a bullet header to give Gaurs the advantage.

CB – Subhasish Bose

Despite Chennaiyin’s dismal attacking performance against Mohun Bagan SG, Subhasish Bose did a fantastic job of seizing every chance they had. Whenever Imran Khan attempted to create something from the flanks, Subhasish was there to quickly reclaim possession by cutting it out.

And every long ball from Chennaiyin’s defense and midfield to their right-hand side was intercepted by Bose, leaving them with little opportunity of creating scoring opportunities.

RB – Vanlalzuidika

Odisha FC headed into the Inter Kashi encounter with only five days of preparation and were anticipated to struggle against Habas’ team. However, they delivered a fantastic performance defending themselves against the Kashi attack, and Zuidika in particular stood out. The former Mohammedan SC right-back had a memorable debut for the Juggernauts.

Given the danger posed by Danu and Planas from the left, Zuidika needed to be at the top of his game, and he accomplished just that. He was not dribbled past for the whole game and made 12 defensive contributions, winning all of his ground duels against the Kashi assault.

CM – Anirudh Thapa

Are we witnessing Anirudh Thapa at his peak at the ISL? It appears to be. Sergio Lobera has worked his magic, forming a fantastic Mohun Bagan SG midfield with Thapa and Apuia. While Apuia seems to be a third center back in build-ups, Thapa enjoys the freedom to advance forward to demonstrate his impressive passing, and he certainly appears to be enjoying his new role.

With his energy, he made seven recoveries helping his team win the ball in the Chennaiyin half, while also providing a defense-splitting pass to assist the first goal to round-off yet another impressive display. He also came close to scoring with a left-footed volley from a long range.

CM – Miguel Figueira

Miguel, like last week, makes it into our ISL TOTW after another outstanding midfield performance for the Red and Gold Brigade. Despite playing a more withdrawn role this time around because Saul wasn’t there, Miguel made sure to show everyone why he’s one of the ISL’s top foreigners this season.

Like in the previous game, he scored a spectacular left-footed goal to finish off his impressive display, both on attack and defense. He also got the assist for Ezzejjari’s second goal of the night with a brilliant line-breaking pass.

LW – Dejan Drazic

Dejan Drazic continued his excellent form this season with another remarkable effort. The Serbian attacker is under considerable pressure to perform this season as he is the only foreigner in the team’s attack. It’s safe to say that Drazic is living up to the expectations.

With his goal and assist against Mohammedan SC, Drazic has contributed to all three FC Goa goals this season. He has contributed nine goals in 13 appearances this season across all competitions, including the AFC CL-2.

RW – Edmund Lalrindika

Following Edmund’s outstanding cameo in the last game, many East Bengal supporters demanded him to be picked in the starting lineup ahead of Nandha. While Nandha continued to start, supporters’ desires were fulfilled when he replaced Saul in the team. And boy, did he seize the opportunity.

Edmund’s outstanding right-footed volley from long range put East Bengal back on level after they were knocked down early by Augustine. He also won a penalty against Clarence, which was scored by Ezzejjari to give Oscar Bruzon’s team the lead.

ST – Youssef Ezzejjari

Right now, Ezzejjari appears to be the league’s most in-form player. While players such as Maclaren and Petratos have put in outstanding performances, the Spanish striker appears to be in top form at the moment, hitting back-to-back braces. And his finish for the second goal through the legs of Vishal, that shows the confidence he is in.

East Bengal appears to have finally discovered the striker they have been looking for over the previous few years. With Bipin, Miguel, and Edmund providing opportunities behind him, Ezzejjari appears to be a contender for the 2025/26 ISL Golden Boot.

ST – Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia

Even though he only had a brief cameo—just 30 minutes—the caliber of his goal would earn him a spot on our Team of the Week. What better way to announce yourself in the ISL than that first touch followed by the peach of a strike from his right foot? And to achieve it on a pitch where Sunil Chhetri was there, Rinzuala will never forget that life-saving strike.

Benali cannot bench him anymore and should start him ahead of Parthib, who has looked off. There are high hopes on him to replicate the same in NT colors, but only time will tell if he is the right guy to spearhead India’s frontline.

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