Nikhil Barla and Ake Loba headline ISL 2026-27 Matchweek 3 Team of the Week
Nikhil Barla and Ake Loba headlined the Team of the Week for Matchweek 3 of the 2026-27 Indian Super League, selected after fixtures played across venues including the Fatorda Stadium and Kalinga Stadium. The XI was arranged in a 4-2-2-2 formation to recognise standout performers from the latest round of ISL matches.
Matchweek 3 produced a mix of high-scoring and tight contests: a 1-5 result in Pune where Antonio Lopez Habas’ side claimed a second straight win over Inter Kashi FC, a goalless draw at the Kalinga Stadium in which Alaeddine Ajaraie missed a last-minute penalty that could have given NorthEast United FC a third straight victory, and a 2-3 win for Punjab FC over Churchill Brothers SC at the Fatorda Stadium courtesy of Sanathoi Singh’s 95th-minute winner. Other results included a 0-0 draw between Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC, Mohun Bagan SG beating Chennaiyin FC 1-0 in Kolkata, and FC Goa earning a stoppage-time equaliser through Alex Vallejo to draw with SC Delhi. The season has seen renewed fan presence and record viewership for a single ISL match; NorthEast United FC top the table with seven points, six teams remain winless, and Inter Kashi FC sit bottom with one point and a significantly worse goal difference than Chennaiyin FC and SC Delhi, who also have one point.
In goal, Vishal Kaith was preferred after a performance that included six saves, a crucial one-on-one stop against Irfan Yadwad, two high claims and two punches to secure a victory against his former club Chennaiyin FC. The report noted that other goalkeepers — Hrithik Tiwari and Amrinder Singh — also posted clean sheets during Matchweek 3, but Kaith’s impact edged him ahead for the Team of the Week.
At right-back, Naocha Singh made his first ISL start under head coach Ashley Westwood for Kerala Blasters and delivered a defensive performance that featured winning three of four tackles, six duels won, zero times dribbled past, six key recoveries and several interceptions and clearances to limit Farukh Choudhary’s influence. Central defender Clarence Fernandes, enjoying a breakout season with SC Delhi after Alex Saji’s departure, recorded six clearances, four duels won, three interceptions and one tackle while effectively keeping FC Goa from equalising while he was on the pitch.
Left-sided defender Pramveer Singh was highlighted for his athletic and physical displays against Odisha, winning all his tackles, three duels, making four clearances and six recoveries, and completing 14 of 16 long balls to aid transitions. Nikhil Barla, a late arrival at NorthEast United FC following the closure of football operations at Jamshedpur FC, registered a match-high right-flank output with all tackles won, eight clearances, six duels won and 11 recoveries, and nearly scored with a long-range effort that tested Hrithik Tiwari.
In midfield, Tomba Singh made his first start for FC Goa after moving from Inter Kashi FC and posted 95% passing accuracy, completed most of his long balls, created a big chance, won all his tackles, five duels and made 11 recoveries while his midfield partner Alex Vallejo supplied the game’s goal. Sergio Llamas was noted for an all-round display for Mumbai City FC against Kerala Blasters: he created two key chances, completed all seven of his long balls, won all his ground duels (8/8), and made five clearances.
On the flanks and in attack, Vishnu PV — starting for the first time that season against Inter Kashi FC after earlier providing an assist off the bench — contributed four big chances, had one unsuccessful touch and forced an error from goalkeeper Albino Gomes that led to a goal. Sebastian Gutierrez scored a brace for Churchill Brothers against Punjab FC, also creating chances for teammates despite his side losing, while Messi Bouli continued to influence Punjab FC’s attack by scoring the opener, producing a shot deflected for Planas’ goal and providing the final assist in the build-up to the third goal, even as coach Pavlos Dermitzakis had earlier claimed Bouli was not his preferred signing.
Ake Loba made his first ISL start for East Bengal and played around an hour, being involved in all four first-half goals: he set up Dani Ramírez (without being credited with the assist), created the second for Vishnu PV, converted a penalty for his first goal for the club to make it 0-3, and then completed a brace with a headed finish from Bipin Singh’s cross.
NorthEast United FC lead the ISL table with seven points from three games following Matchweek 3; five teams remain undefeated — NorthEast United FC, Bengaluru FC, East Bengal FC, Punjab FC and FC Goa — as the season progresses.
