ISL 2019-20 Team of the Week: Chennaiyin FC trio in red-hot form

The Indians have put their hands up and scored important goals but the foreign dominance remains a intact..

It was a roller coaster ride for the teams this week in the Indian Super League (ISL) with goals flying in from left right and centre. However, the top four have strengthened their positions further with their clinical performances. FC Goa played out a 6-goal thriller against Odisha while Bengaluru kept things tidy at the back and grabbed all three points against Hyderabad. On the other hand, ATK were again clinical with their finishing and have come out on top at Jamshedpur and lead the ISL points table. Yet, the most entertaining game was Kerala Blasters hosting Chennaiyin which ended up with a proper tennis score and Owen Coyle's men prevailed keeping their hopes of playoffs alive. [KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] The players have fared out pretty well and even the Indians have put their hands up and scored important goals but the foreign dominance remains upfront. Here's Khel Now's ISL Team of the Week 12 -

Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (Bengaluru FC)

The India international was in sublime form against Hyderabad FC as he single-handedly kept the Blues in the game and earned himself a clean sheet. He saved Marko Stankovic's penalty and also followed it up with another save to deny Bobo to tried to capitalize on the rebound. However, the most important save of the match was when he denied Liston Colaco from close range. It was a brilliant run for the Goan forward but Gurpreet stood tall and parried it away from danger. The passion in his eyes was a testament to the fact that he wants to put performances like these every week in ISL.

ISL 2019-20: Team of the Week 12

Left Centre-Back: Nishu Kumar (Bengaluru FC)

The young defender from Uttar Pradesh was on a different level against Hyderabad FC. He scored a world-class goal from a set piece which at the final whistle stood as the only difference between both teams. The control and technique he showed to rifle the ball past Laxmikant Kattimani was simply sensational. Even a striker would be proud after scoring a belter like that one! He was good with his defensive duties as well but his overlapping runs with blistering pace threatened Hyderabad FC more. Nishu also came close to scoring a brace but his shot from distance went straight at the goalkeeper.

Centre-Back: Juanan (Bengaluru FC)

The Spaniard has been a rock at the heart of the Bengaluru defence and his speciality is how he keeps a silent demeanour and does his job with utmost honesty and aplomb. Juanan has been the glue that binds Carles Cuadrat's system. His ability to play out balls from the back and spearhead a very flexible backline makes him one of the best defenders in the league currently. The defensive organisation of the Blues simply kept Bobo out of the game, cutting off his supply and Juanan had a huge role to play in that department. He is one of the senior members of the side and he acts like one on the field. [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Right Centre-Back: Pritam Kotal (ATK)

The India international has not received the limelight which he deserves mainly due to the performances of his teammates week in week out. Be it Roy Krishna or David Williams or Prabir Das and Soosairaj. Kotal has transformed in a back three with utmost maturity and the 26 year-old deserves a lot of credit for his performances this season. Kotal's assurance at the back allows Prabir Das to venture forward with relief and his pace to track back helps him a lot to have that edge over the opposition forwards. He has knitted a great partnership with Agus Garcia and the duo along with Anas kept Sergio Castel and Farukh Chaudhury at bay throughout the game.

Right Midfielder: Jackichand Singh (FC Goa)

The Manipuri winger has grown leaps and bounds under Sergio Lobera and on an aspect which Indian wingers have lacked in the recent past - the goal-scoring ability. Jackichand scored a brace in a crucial match against Odisha where he combined well with Ferran Corominas and Hugo Boumous.

Right Central Midfielder: Rowllin Borges (Mumbai City FC)

The Goan midfielder has been a mainstay in the middle of the park for Jorge Costa's men. He kept the game under Mumbai City's control and recycled possession with some inch-perfect interceptions. Borges initiated most of the attacking buildups. He completely dominated the likes of Lalengmawia and Simon Lundevall in midfield for the Highlanders and allowed Mumbai City to take the upper hand in the game. [KH_ADWORDS type="2" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Left Central Midfielder: Rafael Crivellaro (Chennaiyin FC)

What a transformation it has been for Chennaiyin FC! From languishing at the bottom at the start of the season to leading the scoring charts, it has been a great journey for the Marina Machans and one of the players who has been the architect of this side from midfield has to be Rafael Crivellaro. His combination and understanding with Valskis upfront has seen the duo create and finish numerous goals this ISL season. He notched up a brace against Kerala Blasters and also got two assists in the process making him the real MVP for Owen Coyle's men.

Left Midfielder: Lallianzuala Chhangte (Chennaiyin FC)

Chhangte has been another player who has taken the steps in the right direction with Owen Coyle's arrival. He has shown his hunger to get in the right positions and support the likes of Crivellaro and Valskis in terms of goal-scoring. He scored a brace against the Blasters keeping the defenders on their toes with his blistering pace and stark attacking instincts. [KH_ADWORDS type="1" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Right Forward: Roy Krishna (ATK)

The Fijian has been the poster boy for ATK this season and has lived up to the expectations fully. He can score, create and even drop back and help his defenders. He is a strong character in the dressing room and also on the pitch. His leadership and positive aura flow through the team. An opportunist's goal by Krishna in the second minute against Jamshedpur and a sublime through ball to set Edu Garcia free in on goal was enough to earn a spot here.

Forward: Nerijus Valskis (Chennaiyin FC)

Where would have the Marina Machans be without their Lithuanian talisman? Valskis has been monumental in Chennaiyin's rise and if Coyle's men are staring at playoffs qualification, credit goes to the big man up front who has been in red-hot form of recent. He was termed as a flop by many fans when he struggled to get going in the early part of the season but when the 32-year old started finding his scoring feet, there has been no stopping him. [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | Article Continues Below"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Forward: Bartholomew Ogbeche (Kerala Blasters)

Ogbeche has simply gone strength-to-strength from last season to this season with Kerala Blasters. Despite all the issues he faced this season he has not disappointed the fans and deserves more from this season. Ogbeche kept the Blasters in the game which was probably their worst in terms of defence. 3-0 down at the break, the Nigerian was determined to restore parity and he scored a magnificent hat-trick to bring his team back. However, their shambolic defending dug their own grave in the second half.