ISL 2022-23: Top five performers of GW1

It was a sensational opening week that saw foreign players impress their teams.

The 2022-23 season of the Indian Super League ISL saw fabulous football action in its first week. There were plenty of exciting clashes that saw a lot of goals, tackles and high-octane action. The past week’s action saw Kerala Blasters FC win the opening game of the season by 3-1 against East Bengal where Ivan Kaliuzhnyi introduced himself to Indian football with a brace.

Last year’s ISL winners Hyderabad FC played an entertaining 3-3 draw with ISL 2020-21 winners Mumbai City FC. It was a contest where Joao Victor and Greg Stewart were central to their respective team’s performance respectively. 

Foreign players were particularly impressive during the past week’s action in the ISL. Here is a look at the top five individuals who were the best performers of the week in ISL:

Joao Victor

Joa Victor got two goals in the opening game of the season. Hyderabad FC’s skipper was once again instrumental to the team and their performance. He opened the account with a penalty to level the score before the break. Later in the second half, the Brazilian scored a second of the night against Mumbai City FC with a header from close range.

Apart from the two goals, Joao Victor’s leadership shone the brightest during the 3-3 draw. The skipper was leading the troops by example, kept a close watch on Greg Stewart and caused multiple transitions in the midfield.

Ivan Kalyuzhnyi

Ivan Kalyuzhnyi became an instant hit with the fans with a quick-fire brace in his debut for Kerala Blasters FC. Coming from the bench in the second half, the midfielder helped the Yellow Army record a 3-1 win over East Bengal.

The midfielder from Ukraine scored his debut goal after a sensational solo run from the halfway line and then left the spectators in awe by scoring through a beautiful volley from outside the penalty box. And with these goals, the Ukrainian sealed his place on the list of the top five performers of ISL GW1.

Diego Mauricio

Diego Mauricio’s return to Odisha FC was highly anticipated by the fans of the club. His debut campaign in the ISL was memorable with the Kalinga Warriors where he got 12 goals and two assists in 20 appearances. Two years later, he is back with Odisha FC and got off to a brilliant start, scoring twice in a 3-2 win over ISL Shield winners, Jamshedpur FC.

He scored a curling shot into the right corner, a strike that is becoming a dangerous weapon, to score Odisha's first goal of the season. Then, he scored a late winner by latching on to a loose ball and scoring past the goalkeeper. 

Kwame Karikari

Kwame Karikari is one of the newcomers in the ISL 2022-23. The forward from Ghana began his debut campaign by coming on from the bench and helping Chennaiyin FC record a 2-1 win over ATK Mohun Bagan.

The 30-year-old took no time to settle and provided a goal and an assist in his first outing for Chennaiyin FC. He scored the equaliser from the penalty spot and then set up Rahim Ali who scored the winner to win all three points.

Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart was one of the biggest transfers ahead of the 2022-23 season of the ISL. The Englishman scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists last term for Jamshedpur FC. Now playing for Mumbai City FC, the attacker was sensational in his first outing for the Islanders against Hyderabad FC in the league.

Thanks to Greg Stewart’s goal and an assist, Des Buckingham and co were able to secure a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw with the Nizams, and in turn a place for him on the list of the top five performers in ISL GW1. He also created five chances during the game, most for an individual from either side.