ISL 2026-27: Antonio Moyano, Mihailo Perović lead charge in Team of the Week for Matchweek 2

East Bengal started their ISL title defense in style against Churchill Brothers.

Following an action-packed and highly engaging opening matchweek of the 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL), which saw fans across the country tune in on their mobiles, laptops and TVs to watch their favorite clubs return to action, the second matchweek kicked off on 16 October and concluded on 19 October, receiving a similar response from fans.

The week began with Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Sporting Club Delhi facing off in the capital. While Hnamte gave the hosts the lead, the Mariners came back from behind to secure all three points.

In the second game, an all-Indian Inter Kashi side picked up their first point of the season against Odisha FC in Pune. The third fixture saw Bengaluru FC comfortably beat Chennaiyin FC 2-0 in a Southern Derby, yet again.

Following that, an intense rivalry dating back to the NFL and I-League days was revived in the ISL, with Churchill Brothers welcoming defending champions East Bengal FC to Goa. However, Habas’s side eased past the hosts with a convincing 0-4 victory.

Later that day, NorthEast United extended their winning start with a commanding 4-1 win over Kerala Blasters, whose lack of a proper pre-season was evident.

Mumbai City FC and Punjab FC featured in the final game of the match week. The Islanders looked set to claim their first three points until the 90th minute, when former Islander Gurkirat Singh headed home an equalizer for Punjab FC to salvage a point. It was his first ISL goal in almost three years.

NorthEast United currently lead the standings, while Sporting Club Delhi sit at the bottom without a point after two games. FC Goa were the only team not to feature in matchweek 2 of the 2026-27 ISL due to their commitments in the 2026-27 AFC Challenge League.

From Thoi Singh’s exquisite volley and Dani Ramírez’s free-kick to Bipin Singh’s brilliant curler, Aman CK scoring his first ISL goal, and Gurkirat Singh potentially reigniting his career, the matchweek was filled with goals and spectacular moments that shaped the outcomes of the matches.

While several players stood out and showcased their brilliance across different positions, here are the eleven players who impressed us the most and earned their places in our ISL 2026-27 Matchweek 2 Team of the Week.

Formation (4-2-3-1)

GK: Nora Fernandes

Nora Fernandes must be one of the unluckiest goalkeepers in the league. He has produced two outstanding performances so far but has still conceded five goals, largely due to the expansive football SC Delhi play, which often leaves their defense exposed.

Even in the 1-2 loss to Mohun Bagan, Nora stood out, and without his heroics, the Mariners would have won the game far more comfortably.

His low save to deny Lee Erwin’s left-footed shot in the first half, another stop to keep out Erwin’s curling effort in the second half, and his saves against Zeljkovic and Manvir’s attempts to score a third were all top-notch.

His efforts kept the hosts in the game until the final whistle.

LB: Akash Mishra

Although Mumbai City conceded late to lose their clean sheet and drop two points, captain Akash Mishra produced an excellent performance that night.

He was a constant threat down the left flank, making runs up and down the wing, something that was missing from his game against Churchill Brothers in the opening matchweek of the 2026-27 ISL.

He won all nine of his ground duels, made five recoveries and five clearances, was not dribbled past, and won seven of his eight tackles against Punjab’s technically gifted and pacey wingers.

He also created a couple of key chances in attack.

CB: Anwar Ali

While Anwar did not have much to do for large parts of the game for East Bengal against Churchill Brothers, he was called into action whenever the hosts played long balls or attempted to create chances through quick transitions.

Anwar won all his aerial duels and tackles while making three interceptions and two crucial blocks.

He also recovered the ball eight times and tested the opposition goalkeeper with a long-range effort.

CB: Mehtab Singh

Mehtab, who has featured in a right center-back/right-back role during transitions for Mohun Bagan this season, had a solid game at the back for the Mariners vs SC Delhi, although there was little, he could have done to prevent Hnamte’s goal.

Up against Aimen, Mehtab was not dribbled past, won most of his duels and all his tackles, and made seven recoveries and three clearances.

He was also useful going forward, creating three key chances, two of which came from crosses.

RB: Ricky Meetei

Returning to the Bengaluru FC team after serving a suspension in the opening game of the 2026-27 ISL, Ricky had a solid outing at right-back against Irfan Yadwad and Prakadeswaran, who frequently switched wings.

Although he had limited impact going forward, Ricky won most of his ground duels, completed four of his five tackles, and made crucial recoveries and interceptions to avert danger and quickly launch transitions.

He also displayed his physicality whenever required and was instrumental in helping his side secure a clean sheet.

CM: Apuia

Although Hnamte was the one who found the net on the same pitch where he and Apuia battled it out, Apuia makes it into our TOTW for the incredible defensive shift he put in that night.

He made 10 recoveries in the middle of the park, won five of his seven duels and recorded a 94% passing accuracy, misplacing just three of the 54 passes he attempted.

Going forward, Apuia played a brilliant pass that split the SC Delhi defence and set up Miguel Figueira, who scored the winner to secure Mohun Bagan’s first victory of the 2026-27 ISL season.

CM: Antonio Moyano

Moyano, who was crucial to NorthEast United FC’s win over Mohun Bagan in the opening week where his effort struck the post before falling to Jithin MS, who scored the winner, went on to open his ISL account in matchweek 2. He scored against Kerala Blasters FC with a low finish across the goal, converting Ajaraie’s assist.

He also picked up a fortunate assist when Korou’s clearance deflected off him and fell to Ajaraie, who scored his second goal of the game.

Beyond his goal contributions, Moyano made five recoveries, won his only attempted tackle, won three ground duels and completed three long balls to find NorthEast United’s pacey wingers.

LW: Alaeddine Ajaraie

NorthEast United FC, who struggled to score goals during the 2025-26 ISL season, have already scored five in two games this campaign.

One major reason is the return of Alaeddine Ajaraie, who has been directly involved in three goals, scoring twice and providing one assist, with all three contributions coming in the 4-1 win over Kerala Blasters.

Had he timed his run at the back post to meet Rabeeh’s cross, Ajaraie could have completed his hattrick and put the game beyond doubt.

He scored NorthEast United’s first and third goals while setting up Moyano for the second, playing a part in all three goals scored while he was on the pitch.

CAM: Dani Ramirez

Dani Ramirez, who featured in several of our TOTW selections during the 2025-26 ISL season for Punjab FC, returns to the team in his first ISL appearance in East Bengal colors.

The Spanish midfielder won a free-kick in a dangerous position in the opening minute and converted it with a brilliant left-footed curling effort to give his side the lead.

He recovered the ball three times in the opposition half and struck the post once. He also played two key passes that could have led to goals with more clinical finishing. Ramirez recorded an 86% passing accuracy, with 75% of his passes directed into the opposition half, an impressive stat.

RW: Bipin Singh

The only player on this list who came off the bench rather than starting the game, Bipin Singh earned his place in our matchweek 2 TOTW with two brilliant goals after coming on as a half-time substitute.

Minutes after entering the pitch, he created two excellent chances for Dani Ramirez and David, both of which were failed to be converted into goals.

He then scored his first goal in the 85th minute, leaving three Churchill Brothers defenders and the goalkeeper stunned with a curling effort before tapping in Vishnu’s cross five minutes later.

ST: Mihailo Perović

Perović was instrumental in Bengaluru FC’s attack during their 2-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC, playing a key role in both goals.

For the opener, he drifted towards the right flank and delivered a dangerous cross across the face of goal to Borja Martinez. Nawaz saved Borja’s attempt, but Ryan Williams converted the rebound. It was a reminder that Perović offers more than just goals, as he also created three chances during the game.

For the second goal, he capitalised on the mistake involving Nawaz and Emmanuel Imanishimwe, positioning himself perfectly to tap the ball home and seal the win for Bengaluru FC.

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