The 2015 Hero Indian Super League so far has been a nice blend of youth and experience. Both veterans, with their experience, and youngsters, with their fearlessness and adventurism, have made a big impression on the league. After the completion of the league stage of the second edition, we take a look at most high-impact senior and youngster of the four semi-finalists who will battle it out for a place in the Grand Finale.
FC Goa
Leo Moura
Age-37
Assists -8
Passes completed-724
Leo Moura has had a profound impact on FC Goa’s campaign this season. He, along with Delhi Dynamos FC’s Florent Malouda, is the only player to have provided a record eight assists in a season. FC Goa, who finished the league stage as leaders, registered quite a few big wins and Moura was at the centre of those triumphs. Besides that, he has also hit the back of the net twice. An inspirational figure for the Gaurs in the centre of midfield, he, along with Nicky Shorey of FC Pune City FC, has the distinction of providing three assists in a game. The 37-year-old Moura has also completed more passes (926) than any other player in the league.
Mandar Rao Dessai
Age-23
Goals-3
Assists-2
23-year-old Mandar Rao Dessai has impressed one and all with his blistering pace and control on the ball. An absolute nightmare for the opposition teams this season, not only has Mandar found the back of the net thrice this year, he has also provided two assists to the Gaurs’ cause in Season 2.
Delhi Dynamos FC
Florent Malouda
Age -35
Assists -8
Passes completed-673
Tackles -38
The 35-year-old, Florent Malouda has been nothing short of breath-taking for the Dynamos this year. The fact that he has been directly involved in eight of Delhi’s 18 goals says a great deal about his contribution. The former France midfielder has featured in every Delhi game and on many occasions saved Delhi’s blushes by providing brilliant assists in the dying moments of the game. That Delhi have reached the semis is largely down to Malouda’s contribution.
Souvik Chakraborty
Age -24
Tackles-65
Clearances-70
Passing accuracy-81.72%
24-old-old Souvik Chakraborty adapted very quickly to the new role of right-back this season. He has been one of the reasons why Delhi have been pretty solid at the back. All through the league stage, he has drawn praise from the seniors in the side, like their marquee player-cum-coach Roberto Carlos and Hans Mulder. The latter has gone on record saying that Souvik is the best Indian player in the Lions team. Chakraborty is fourth in the leaderboard for tackles in Season 2 of the Hero ISL.
Atlético de Kolkata
Borja Fernandez
Age-34
Goals-1
Assists-2
Tackles-66
Borja Fernandez is one of the few players to have featured in every game from start to finish. The 34-year-old defensive midfielder has led the team from the front and in the first half of the league when ATK were struggling he ensured that the team didn’t go down without a fight. He doesn’t grab the headlines much but there is no denying that he has been priceless for the defending champions as his 66 tackles suggest. The box-to-box midfielder has also provided two assists and once hit the back of the net with his ferocious right foot. The defending champions owe him a lot for their second successive semi-final appearance.
Tiri
Age-24
Passing accuracy-82.42%
In the absence of the injured Josemi, Tiri stepped up to become a major defensive asset for ATK. Apart from that, his eye for a goal has seen him hit every attempt of his on target, although he is yet to get his name on the scoresheet. Kolkata have one of the meanest defences in the league, having conceded 17 goals in 14 matches and plaudits must go to Tiri who has played a major role in keeping things tight at the back. The 24-year-old Spaniard is also comfortable in possession and boasts a passing accuracy of 82%.
Chennaiyin FC
Elano
Age-34
Goals-4
Assists-4
Elano, for the second season running, lived up to his reputation by scoring four goals and providing four assists for the Super Machans this year. He has been one of the reasons behind Stiven Mendoza’s goal-scoring spree by providing the telling pass in the final-third for the Colombian forward. The 34-year-old Brazilian remains one of the most elegant players in the league with his finesse with the ball at his feet. His control on the ball is unparalleled and he is a master at splitting open opposition defences by providing through-balls in behind defences for forwards to run onto.
Stiven Mendoza
Age-23
Goals-11
Assists-2
23-year-old Mendoza is a man on a mission this season, looking to make up for lost time after missing the semi-finals of Hero ISL 2014 due to injury. The Colombian has been in ominous form this season, scoring 11 times in Chennaiyin FC’s journey to the semi-finals. One of the two players to bag two hat-tricks this season, Chennai’s pocket dynamo’s total tally of 15 goals is the most by any individual in the history of the league. The 23-year-old is also a team player and has provided two assists for the Super Machans in Season 2.
