ISL 2025-26: Ajsal, Thapa lead charge in Team of the Week for Matchweek 5

Mohun Bagan SG, FC Goa & Mumbai City FC remain undefeated after Matchweek 5 of ISL 2025-26

The fifth week of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season concluded with a thrilling 1-1 tie at the JLN Stadium in Delhi. While only 10 of the 14 teams were in play this match week, the quality on the field and controversy off the field remained identical with previous weeks.

Kerala Blasters FC picked up their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw against East Bengal FC at Salt Lake Stadium, kicking off the match week. In the second match of the week, Mohun Bagan SG and Bengaluru FC played one of the season’s best games, featuring end-to-end action but no goals.

In the next match, NorthEast United shocked Jamshedpur FC to win at home for the first time this season. Later same day, Inter Kashi FC played Mumbai City FC in their first home game of the ISL 2025-26 season, but were defeated 2-1. FC Goa came back from behind to get a point against Punjab FC in the week’s final match.

Mohun Bagan SG leads the standings with 13 points after five games, while Mohammedan SC remains at the bottom of the table, the only team without a point this season.

From Andy’s brace to Habas’ red card, there was plenty of drama this game week, both on and off the field.

Here are 11 players that attracted our interest and made it onto our ISL 2025-26 team of the week for MW 5.

Formation (4-2-3-1)

GK: Gurpreet Singh

Bengaluru FC kept the Mariners at bay and kept a clean sheet despite facing an onslaught that included Maclaren, Cummings, Petratos, Liston, and Manvir, all of whom were Indian. Gurpreet was frequently called into action, and he played an important role in goal with a few vital saves.

He was dominant in the box, using his aerial abilities to halt Mohun Bagan from scoring through set-pieces. He also made a few close-range saves to prevent Alberto Rodriguez from handing Mohun Bagan SG all three points.

LB: Subhasish Bose

Unlike the previous game, where Subhasish was extensively engaged in the attack, picking up two assists, Bose was heavily involved in defense, keeping one of India’s elite wingers, Ryan Williams, quiet. His positioning and experience were key against a Bengaluru side who depended on counterattacks to break down the Mohun Bagan SG defense.

Bose was on top of his game, winning over 10 duels, five clearances, and five recoveries, including a spectacular block against Ryan Williams, who was one-on-one with the keeper.

He was also carrying the ball forward from the left flank, combining with Liston and delivering a few threatening crosses.

CB: Bijoy Varghese

Bijoy was excellent in the Punjab defense, playing with ten men for the entirety of the second half, ensuring that they maintained the 1-1 score and salvage a point.

And, with Pablo Santos having to go off injured, Bijoy stepped up as a leader and performed admirably.

Bijoy won all of his duels versus Drazic, Brison, and Pandita, and he made a few critical tackles. He also made 10 clearances, the most of which were to block dangerous crosses sent into the box, and 7 recoveries to round off an excellent performance.

CB: Fallou Ndiaye

Kerala Blasters earned their first point of the season against East Bengal FC, and Fallou Ndiaye was instrumental in securing the point.

With Bah’s departure and Bikash’s injury, Fallou and Hormipam were forced to step up at the back to get the Blasters out of the relegation zone. 

Coming up against Ezzejjari, Fallou had to be on top of his game in terms of movement and aerial ability, and he did so by winning all of his aerial duels and making eight clearances, the most of any player on the pitch. He also came close to scoring for the Blasters courtesy of a fantastic Ebindas set-piece delivery.

RB: Naorem Roshan Singh

While Bengaluru’s whole defense, including goalie Gurpreet, performed admirably against Mohun Bagan, Roshan Singh at left-back stood out with a handful of vital defensive actions.

The Bengaluru FC left-back produced six decisive clearances, all of which prevented critical attacks within his own box.

Roshan produced two last-ditch blocks to deny the Mariners’ attack and preserve the Blues’ clean sheet intact.

While the first against Maclaren almost rolled into his own net, the second against Liston was spectacular and undoubtedly denied a goal for the Mariners.

CM: Anirudh Thapa

Contrasting with the previous four games this season, in which Anirudh Thapa had little to no defensive work, the Mohun Bagan SG midfielder was called into action more defensively than going forward.

Against players like Kuziev, Fanai, and Braian Sanchez, Thapa and Apuia had what was likely their most intense performance of the season.

Thapa completed 12 successful defensive actions, putting the Bengaluru FC attackers at bay. The highlight of his performance was his important double block to deny Sunil Chhetri, who seemed poised to give Bengaluru FC the lead from close range.

CM: Andy Rodriguez

As NorthEast United continue to miss Alaeddine Ajaraie, they needed someone in the team to step-up and score goals to win games. And that’s exactly what Andy did as he stepped up and scored a brilliant brace, ensuring the first win for the Highlanders this season.

His first was a magnificent long-range free kick, while the second was a left-footed strike through a wall of Jamshedpur players that proved to be the difference between the two teams.

Andy was outstanding defensively facing Stojanovic and Tachikawa, winning 5/6 duels and making five vital clearances.

LW: Rohit Danu

When Danu joined Inter Kashi, he had just one goal, to get more game time and prove the potential he was once known for. And that’s exactly what he has been doing this season as he enjoys a lot of game time under Habas at the club.

His directness on the wings has been a constant menace in the Inter Kashi offense this season. He created four opportunities for Kashi and consistently looked for ways to take on the opposition defense.

His efforts paid off with a goal against Mumbai City, his first in four years.

CAM: Miguel Figueira

Miguel put on another outstanding performance in the East Bengal FC midfield against the Kerala Blasters. As always, if Miguel goes a game without a goal or an assist, it’s because his team’s strikers opted to put their scoring boots away.

Miguel was at the top of his game both defensively and offensively, creating four crucial attacking opportunities with his outstanding set pieces and accurate crosses.

He won all of his tackles while also winning 7 ground duels, retrieving the ball, and launching East Bengal attacks.

RW: Lallianzuala Chhangte

Chhnagte extended his impressive start to the season with another goal against Inter Kashi, which proved to be the difference between the two teams at the final whistle.

With this goal, the Mumbai City skipper has now scored three times in five matches this season.

Chhangte was a persistent danger from the right wing and had Sandip Mandi on his toes, in addition to scoring the goal.

Even for Mumbai’s first goal, Chhangte’s wonderful corner rebounded off an Inter Kashi defender and dropped to Noufal, who flicked it into the back of the net.

ST: Muhammad Ajsal

Ajsal is one of those players in the Indian football circuit who has worked tirelessly for seasons to earn a chance to distinguish himself at the top level.

He has previously played in the I-League, Super League Kerala, the RFDL, and the Santosh Trophy, and is now receiving his shot in the ISL.

Ajsal made his Blasters debut against East Bengal and scored his first goal, a critical equalizer that gave his club the first point of the season.

He came close to scoring on numerous occasions and was always causing difficulty for the East Bengal defense with his fantastic runs across the face of the goal.

With Bertomeu banned for three games, Ajsal is anticipated to play more minutes in the upcoming games. With more minutes, he is only expected to improve.

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