I-League 2017/18: East Bengal vs Chennai City FC, Player Ratings
East Bengal hosted Chennai City FC int he I-League in what was a do or die game for the Red and Golds. Any slip in points would have crushed the East Bengal’s hopes of winning the league this season. With just three round of games left in the league, every game is like a final for both the teams but for different reasons. East Bengal wants to win the league whereas Chennai wants to save relegation.
East Bengal put their foot on the gas right from the onset and the urgency in their game was showing by the number of attacks they mounted in the Chennai goal in the first 5 minutes. They had gone 2-0 up by the 25th minute and were in cruise control. The halftime score read 3-0 in favour of the Red and Golds.
East Bengal increased their lead to 5-0 within the first 10minutes of the second half, with Dudu completing his hattrick. The final score read 7-1 in favour of East Bengal with Dudu scoring four, Amna and Gabriel Scoring one each and Ravanan scoring an own goal. With this win East Bengal is still in the hunt for the I league.
On that note, let's take a look at the player ratings from today’s game
East Bengal
Ubaid C.K (6/10): Ubaid was not called into action much but he did perform well whenever he was called upon. He made one very good save from a Joachim header.
LalramChullova (7/10): Chullova played a delicious 40yard ball for Al Amna for the first goal that East Bengal scored. It was Chullova again whose darting run and cross resulted in the second goal. Probably he played his best game this season.
Mehtab Singh (7/10): Mehtab played some lovely crosses into the box, especially the crosses that he played from near the halfway line was sublime. Some of his crosses was undoubtedly the best crosses we have seen this season.
Eduardo Ferreira (7/10): Eduardo was a rock in the back for East Bengal. He was the main reason Rakic was kept so quiet today. He also dealt with all the aerial balls that were put into the East Bengal box with ease.
Gurwinder Singh (7/10): Gurwinder filled in for the suspended Arnab Mondol, and put in a performance which will surely put him in the reckoning for a starting XI spot in the upcoming games. He was solid and made some crucial blocks. He also helped his team build up play from the back.
Cavin Lobo (8/10): Lobo had the free role in the midfield today, as he rallied between attack and defence perfectly, he won a lot of second balls in midfield and ensured that Chennai didn’t create too many openings despite having more ball possession.
Katsumi Yusa (8.5/10): Katsumi played in an unusual position as a deep-lying midfielder. He did his job to near perfection as he tracked back very well, won the ball in midfield and made sure that Amna had the freedom to move forward in attack. Katsumi had a high number of interceptions and blocks.
Md. Al Amna (9/10): The first 20 minutes of the game was the Al Amna show, scored a good goal after a darting run and taking on three defenders. He did see two of shots blocked by the keeper only to score of the third the rebound. He completely controlled the midfield. He completely controlled the game and rarely put a foot wrong today.
Brandon Vanlalremdika (7/10): Brandon had a start after a long time, and played a good game. His runs down both the flanks were really praiseworthy and his partnership with both Chullova and Mehtab resulted in goals for East Bengal.
Kromah (7/10): Kromah provided two vital assists, and worked very hard to get his name on the scoresheet. He really kept the Chennai defence running after shadows with his clever runs and movements. He was selfish though at times and could have passed it to a teammate instead of going for the shot.
Dudu Omegbemi (9.5/10): Dudu looked lively in the first half, he scored a good goal after stealing the ball right from the defender and goalkeepers gasps and putting it into an open net. Dudu scored his second goal in the second half with a thundering strike from inside the box. He completed his hattrick with a nice finish from a Kromah though ball. He went on to score another goal, to take his total I league goals of this season to 5.