Welcome back to the third instalment of our ISL Player of the Week. The last two have been won by hat-trick hero’s, a trend which seems to have come and gone quickly in this two week period.
Although there is no hat-trick featured in this week’s edition, there are plenty of goals to get stuck into with our stand out performer being involved heavily in his teams stunning away victory.
Without further a due, this weeks winner is Thiago Santos!
The Mumbai City playmaker was influential in his role to guide Mumbai to a very much needed three points at the hands of FC Goa, who have looked unplayable at parts of this season.
Vs FC Goa | 3-4 | G:1 | A:1 | HotM: 1
Mumbai are lucky to have escaped with a victory from Goa on the road. They were reliant on their two Santos’, Everton and Thiago who both had a hand in all but one goal. It was Thiago’s constant threat which edged our award as he looked a threat whenever involved.
City were behind twice in this one, thanks to strikes from Goa’s deadly duo, Ferran Corominas and Manuel Lanzarote. Those goals were either side of a Everton Santos shot, an easy strike after Thiago Santos’ effort rolled into his path.
The game flipped at the start of the second half when Seriton Fernandes received a second yellow and left Goa down to 10. This gave players such as Thiago Santos the chances and space to really turn the game on its head.
Thiago Santos really got to grips with the game and made it Mumbai’s three points to win. After a penalty made it 2-2, Santos scored the goal which put his team ahead. A darting run into box was followed by a killer pass through on goal, what was it your old coach used to say? Make sure you follow in. That’s exactly what Santos did and he got his reward.
A late Balwant Singh goal cancelled out Lanzarote’s second goal and equaliser to give Mumbai the three points and see them rise into sixth, only two points behind the play-offs and coincidently the team they just snatched three points from, FC Goa.
Early Days For Santos
At 22 years-old, the Brazilian midfielder has a relatively good return from his 11 appearances this campaign. Five goals and 1 assist in your first season in a new league is not bad in any way.
The youngster was at Brazilian giants Flamengo for most of his career and started playing for their first team in 2015, at the age of just 19.
If this season is anything to go by in his maiden voyage in the ISL, then the next few years to come are certainly nervous ones for teams who come up against this tall, powerful playmaker for Mumbai City FC.