ISL 2025-26: Robson, Edmund lead charge in Team of the Week for Matchweek 3

Mohun Bagan SG lead the ISL 2025-26 table while Mohammedan SC finds themselves in the relegation zone

With the Indian Super League (ISL) wrapping up three weeks of action and the Indian Football League kicking off, it appears that Indian Football has returned to normalcy, with fans able to watch their favorite clubs play consistently on the field rather than fighting the federation in court.

The ISL match week 3 began with FC Goa’s special effort to offer free admission to women of all ages for their 1-0 victory over Sporting Club Delhi. The next game saw Owen Coyle’s Jamshedpur FC upset East Bengal at the Salt Lake, while Punjab FC easily defeated Bengaluru FC at the Kanteerava.

The next day, Inter Kashi upset Kerala Blasters at home to win the first match in ISL history, while Mohun Bagan SG easily defeated Mohammedan SC at home.

Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC drew 1-1 in the sixth game of the week, thanks to goals from their foreign centre-backs, while the final match also finished in a tie, with Mumbai City FC and Northeast United FC sharing the spoils.

If you’re seeking for fascinating off-field drama, AIFF didn’t disappoint when they put forward a last-ditch effort to include Churchill Brothers Goa in the 2025-26 ISL season.

From Robson’s Brazilian Samba magic to Rei Tachikawa’s outstanding winner, the week was jam-packed with dramatic results and excellent goals.

Here are 11 players who grabbed our attention this week and made it into the 2025/26 ISL team of the week for MW-3.

Formation: 4-2-3-1

GK: Mohammad Nawaz

Nawaz appears to be back to his best and confident, which is something the goalie hasn’t had since his time in Goa. Nawaz appeared imposing at the back with his commanding keeping, great distribution, and punches from corners, rescuing Chennaiyin FC in yet another match.

Nawaz made one of the best saves of the week when he stretched his reflexes brilliantly to deny Rahul KP’s left footed shot in the first half stoppage time.

LB: Aakash Sangwan

Aakash Sangwan has been a steady performer in the FC Goa defense from the beginning of the 2025-26 ISL season, conceding only one goal in three games and having the league’s joint best defensive record.

Augustine has been one of SC Delhi’s greatest strikers this season, and Sangwan did an excellent job of keeping the youngster quiet, as he couldn’t get past the left-back even once all night.

Aakash Sangwan was outstanding both offensively and defensively. He capped off his outstanding performance with a fantastic cross that helped Dejan Drazic score the game-winning goal that gave the Gaurs all three points.

CB: Stephen Eze

Another week in the ISL and yet another outstanding defensive performance by Stepehen Eze, who also scored a goal. Not only did he equalize for the Red Miners to come back into the game, but the Nigerian defender also played a significant role in keeping the league’s most in-form scorer, Ezzejjari quiet.

Eze had 14 successful defensive actions in the game against East Bengal, including 9 clearances, the most of any player in the contest.

His last-ditch tackle to prevent Bipin from crossing to Ezzejjari, who would have doubled East Bengal’s advantage, kept the Red Miners in the game.

CB: Khaimin Lhungdim

Despite not being a center-back by trade, Lhungdim’s outstanding performance in Punjab’s 2-0 victory against Bengaluru FC makes it hard to exclude him off the TOTW.

Playing against Ashique, considering his agility, dribbling, and strength is a difficult task, but the Punjab FC defender believed in himself and was confident in his abilities.

He made three important clearances in and around the six-yard box, as well as seven ball recoveries farther up the field. Lhungdim was assured in his defensive play and was successful moving forward with his link-up with Kipgen on the right wing.

RB: Abhishek Singh

Abhishek Singh, whether at left or right back, appears to be one of Sergio Lobera’s first choices, with the Spanish coach admiring the kid.

While the Mariners haven’t had much defensive work to do this season, Abhishek is continuing to establish his dominance on the game with his game moving forward.

He contributed to Mohun Bagan SG’s fourth goal of the match with a superb, weighted cross that Manvir headed in at the far post. Abhishek used his speed to make some fantastic recoveries while playing against a Mohammedan team that relied on counterattacks.

CM: Ricky Shabong

Ricky Shabong’s midfield performance against Bengaluru FC was excellent and demonstrated that his remarkable performance from the previous season is still persisting. Shabong, an impressive midfielder since his Mohun Bagan SG days, is finally realizing his full potential under Panagiotis Dilmperis.

Bengaluru FC’s midfield, which includes Fanai, Suresh, Kuziev, and Braian Sanchez, is one of their strongest points. However, Ricky and his companion Nikhil Prabhu won that particular day.

With four tackles, three interceptions, two blocks, four recoveries, and seven ground duels won, Ricky produced twenty solid defensive actions. Isn’t that impressive?

CM: Puitea

One of the most noticeable differences in Puieta’s game this season is that he no longer has experienced players like Jahouh around him to retain the ball and guide him; instead, he is the midfield boss and must look after the ball, a job he finds appealing.

Puitea appears to be taking on a more defensive position. He is more disciplined in his passing and tackling, keeping an accuracy rate of 86%, and switching the flanks to initiate attacks.

Puitea also appears to be calculated in his forward passes, having created four chances. His set-pieces have been a key threat for the Juggernauts this season, and he assisted Carlos Delgado’s equalizer from a free-kick.

LW: Robson Robinho

Robson’s effort against Mohammedan SC was more than simply an outstanding football performance; it was a statement from the Brazilian that he has arrived and is here to rule the ISL.

While his old teammate Miguel has scored since game one, it has taken Robson three matches to score his first league goal.

Robson has been extremely threatening on the left flank since his debut against the Kerala Blasters, and in fact has come close to scoring on several occasions.

He appeared to have discovered the formula against Mohammedan, though, as he struck the woodwork once and scored two goals. The Mariners will be hoping it’s nothing catastrophic because he left the field hurt.

CAM: Alfred Planas

Inter Kashi created history against the Kerala Blasters by winning their first ISL game, and Alfred Planas played a major part in making that happen.

The Spanish attacker has been outstanding for Kashi this season and appears to be the major source of creativity for Habas’ side.

He assisted Nauris Petkevičius on the opening goal, then Planas went on to score, getting his first goal of the season and Inter Kashi’s second of the night.

RW: Edmund Lalrindika

Edmund Lalrindika was a standout performer in the I-League for the last two seasons. This season, he moved up to the ISL, but his performance has hasn’t dropped even by a bit. Since game one, he has been East Bengal’s most dangerous Indian forward.

In his first game, he grabbed an assist off the bench, banging on Oscar Bruzon’s door to start. Edmund started the second game and equalized for East Bengal with a fantastic goal.

Edmund gave East Bengal the lead against Jamshedpur in the third game with another cool, collected finish, but his team was unable to maintain the lead and win.

ST: Effiong Nsungusi

While Jamie Maclaren and Dimi Petrartos were outstanding for the Mariners, Nigerian striker Effiong Nsungusi’s superb brace against Bengaluru FC helped his team secure all three points.

It appears that Punjab FC has once again found success with their clever scouting in drafting talented international players to the ISL.

Nsungsi was excellent inside the box for the opening goal, leapfrogging Fanai and beating Gurpreet at the near post with a bullet header. The second goal was another fantastic effort, as he beat Gurpreet from long range with a beautiful left-footed strike.

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