Jerry Mawihmingthanga makes debut in ISL 2021-22 team of Gameweek 10

These footballers were the cream of the crop in the first gameweek of the new year.

For the first time in weeks, the Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season have seen a change at the top of the table with Hyderabad FC leapfrogging Mumbai City FC. Both teams are currently tied on points, with the Nizams sitting atop with a better goal difference. The gameweek witnessed 17 goals and displayed a number of hard-fought encounters to the fans.

Odisha FC caused the biggest upset, toppling Mumbai City FC 4-2 courtesy an inspired performance from Jerry Mawihmingthanga. In the last game of the week, both ATK Mohun Bagan and Hyderabad FC fluffed several knit-edged chances to clinch the win, with the game ending 2-2.

Let’s find out who made it to our ISL 2021-22 team of the gameweek 10.

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Goalkeeper: Debjit Majumder (Chennaiyin FC)

What a debut from the long-forgotten Debjit Majumder in this edition of the ISL! The diminutive goalkeeper made three saves, one from inside the box, and kept a clean sheet as he faced the on-song attacking duet of Jordan Murray and Greg Stewart. Jamshedpur’s flurry of attacks was incessant, with 19 attempts. Walking into such a massive challenge and coming out unscathed deserves credit for Majumder.

Right-back: Naorem Roshan Singh (Bengaluru FC)

The youngster is back in the fray. Sourav Das may have scored the own goal for SC East Bengal as Bengaluru FC earned a point. But it was an inviting, floated ball from Roshan into the six-yard box that had to be dealt with. The versatile player created yet another chance for club captain Sunil Chhetri, who shot straight at the keeper from 10 yards out. Roshan is one of the brightest stories out for the JSW club this season, with the club enduring a troubling campaign.

Centre-back: Marko Leskovic (Kerala Blasters)

After starting the game strongly with two goals inside the first 20 minutes, Kerala Blasters gave away the tempo and control to their opponents as FC Goa fought back to earn a point. Goals from Jorge Ortiz and Edu Bedia ensured that the momentum was taken away from Kerala. FC Goa looked threatening for the entirety of the second half. However, they met a wall in Marko Leskovic, who made five clearances, four interceptions and two tackles to ensure Kerala salvaged a point.

Centre-back: Sajid Dhot (Chennaiyin FC)

After being on the bench for the ongoing season at Odisha FC, Sajid Dhot was signed by Chennaiyin FC on a loan until the end of the ISL 2021-22 season. Coach Bozidar Bandovic had his plans laid out for the 24-year-old defender, who walked straight into the starting XI and walked out with a clean sheet and 14 clearances under his belt. Dhot added more balance to the right side of defence for the Marina Machans straightaway and is sure to play a key role in the future. A passing accuracy of 76% shows he played his part in recycling possession.  

Left-back: Hira Mondal (SC East Bengal)

The best player on the pitch for SC East Bengal by a mile, Hira Mondal can easily be bracketed under the finds of the ISL 2021-22 season. A tireless worker in both halves of the pitch, Mondal ensured Udanta Singh was kept in check against Bengaluru FC. He even made a clearance off the line, earning a point single-handedly for Renedy Singh’s team. SC East Bengal must hold onto this diamond in the long term.

Central midfield: Edu Bedia (FC Goa)

The captain of the ship, Edu Bedia has been FC Goa’s mainstay for the longest time now. In the match against Kerala Blasters, he found the sweetest of touches from the corner spot, scoring an Olympic goal. The beauty of the goal notwithstanding, Bedia also ensured he played a key role in ensuring Derrick Pereira hasn’t lost a game so far since taking over from Juan Ferrando.

Central midfield: Anirudh Thapa (Chennaiyin FC)

Chennaiyin FC absorbed pressure from Jamshedpur FC for nearly an hour and Anirudh Thapa led his troops from the front. He, apart from the tireless shift to cover his defence centrally, also created a superb chance. However, his team failed to put the ball into the back of the net. He’s always a reliable customer on the ball and was the lynchpin of the Marina Machans’ midfield.

Right wing: Jerry Mawihmingthanga (Odisha FC)

Jerry has been one of the longest-serving players of Odisha FC, and has earned a lot of experience under his belt at the club. It all came into fruition against Bengaluru FC, as the 24-year-old winger found the back of the net twice, almost single-handedly killing the game. For the first goal, Jerry was brave to make space for himself behind the defence while for the second one, he scored from a neat strike from the right channel inside the box.

Central attacking midfield: Adrian Luna (Kerala Blasters)

Alvaro Vazquez played a casual ball in the left channel in the 20th minute to Luna, who made a little space for him and unleashed a classy strike to dip past Dheeraj Singh from nearly 30-yards out. To make things worse for the goalkeeper, the ball hit the inside of the post and disturbed the net. Ten minutes before this piece of ingenuity, the Uruguayan had found the head of Jeakson Singh for Kerala’s first goal. What a game for him!

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Left wing: Udanta Singh (Bengaluru FC)

If only the flashes of his brilliance were more consistent, Indian fans would be far happier and secure, knowing the talent he possesses. On his day, Udanta can be breathtakingly worrying for any defence, as he was against Odisha FC. He successfully completed all his dribbles, and also created a brilliant chance for his team. Had Jerry not been on the pitch for Odisha, Udanta could have walked out of the game with at least a point. The West Block Blues would hope he continues this form for the remainder of the ISL 2021-22 season.

Centre forward: Jorge Ortiz (FC Goa)

Unlucky! Jorge Ortiz was one of the best players on the pitch in FC Goa's game against Kerala Blasters. He won duels and ran at full throttle and continued to keep the tempo up at the attacking end of things for the Gaurs. Ortiz had three shots on target, but was unlucky to end the game with just one goal. He also created a chance for Devendra Murgaokar with a delicious cutback, but the Goan shot straight at Prabhsukhan Gill.

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