ISL 2024-25: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Nikhil Poojary garrison Matchweek 3 Team of the Week defence

The Blues’ impressive performance saw a majority of their players get featured among the best in the league.

The 2024-25 edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) wrapped up its penultimate match week before going into the international break in October. It was a week filled with goals, red cards, and a lot of drama. It all began with Punjab FC securing their third win of the season against ten men Hyderabad in Delhi followed by Mohammedan SC getting the better of Chennaiyin FC to secure their first-ever ISL win.

FC Goa and East Bengal produced a five-goal thriller and a red card as the Gaurs managed to get their first three points of the season. After that, the Saturday doubleheader saw Odisha FC get their first win of the season followed by Bengaluru FC’s five-star performance against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The last match staged the only draw of the week as NorthEast United and Kerala Blasters shared spoils in Guwahati.

Let us take a look at Khel Now’s team of the week from Matchweek 3.

Formation: 4-4-2

GK – Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu continues to hold his spot and makes his third back-to-back appearance in Khel Now’s team of the week. The Indian shot-stopper is the only goalkeeper to have not conceded a single goal since the start of the season. He played a pivotal role in keeping Mohun Bagan’s attacking unit at bay.

RB – Nikhil Poojary (Bengaluru FC)

Nikhil Poojary makes his second consecutive appearance in Khel Now’s team of the week. The Indian international was one of Bengaluru FC’s best players in their 3-0 triumph over Bagan. He provided an assist and worked his socks off at the back with crucial interceptions and blocks.

CB – Gaurav Bora (Mohammedan SC)

Gaurav Bora becomes the first defender from Mohammedan SC to feature in Khel Now’s team of the week this season. The defender put up a good show in his side’s first-ever ISL win. Bora was involved in the thick of things on either end of the pitch. He was instrumental in keeping a clean sheet and also had a few goal-scoring chances.

CB – Mourtada Fall (Odisha FC)

Although Odisha FC have not had a great start to the ISL campaign, Mourtada Fall has been one of their best-performing players. The Senegalese defender played a crucial role in his side’s first win of the season. He scored a goal and won the majority of his aerial duels after he was called in as a replacement for Carlos Delgado.

LB – Jerry Lalrinzuala (Odisha FC)

Jerry also put together a good performance against Jamshedpur. The left-back was constantly making bombing runs forward and also came back to defend in time. He won the majority of his ground duels, and put in four tackles while maintaining an excellent passing accuracy of 93%. 

RM – Boris Singh (FC Goa)

Boris was excellent on the right wing in FC Goa’s win over East Bengal. He put in a commendable performance on the wings and helped FC Goa get their first win of the season. He executed three key passes, completed 89% of his passes, and created the second goal for the Gaurs.

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CM – Borja Herrera (FC Goa)

Borja Herrera was the best player across the league in the third match week and helped his side secure their first win of the season. He brought his A-game to the table and scored the first hat trick of the season against his former side. It seemed as if whatever he touched turned into gold.

CM – Suresh Singh Wangjam (Bengaluru FC)

Suresh seems to be coming back to his best this season. The Indian international was solid in Bengaluru’s historic win against Mohun Bagan. He dominated the proceedings in the middle of the park and contributed equally on either end of the pitch while scoring a goal.

LM – Hugo Boumous (Odisha FC)

Hugo Boumous makes his second appearance in Khel Now’s team of the week this season. The French-Moroccan powerhouse gave an excellent account of himself in Odisha’s win over Jamshedpur. He was always on the move and created both goals becoming the current highest assist provider in the league with three assists to his name.

ST – Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

Sunil Chhetri scored from the spot against Mohun Bagan and is now the league’s highest active and all-time goalscorer. The Blues’ skipper scripted history by becoming the league’s record all-time top scorer with 64 goals to his name across 11 seasons. Chhetri is high on confidence and has led Bengaluru FC to three wins in three games.

ST – Noah Sadaoui (Kerala Blasters)

The Moroccan forward produced the goods and was a livewire on either flank for Kerala Blasters in the game against the Highlanders. He scored a wonderful solo goal from outside the box to salvage a point for his side. Moreover, he created a lot of chances for both himself and his teammates, but couldn’t put in the finishing touches.

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