I-League 2017/18: East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan, Player Ratings
Mohun Bagan romped past arch-rivals East Bengal in the Kolkata Derby held at the Salt Lake Stadium today. Khalid Jamil's men were handed a blow as early as in the 2nd minute when Dipanda Dicka scored from close range after being set-up beautifully by Mohun Bagan's latest signing Akram Moghrabi.
The Mariners continued to play a very convincing brand of attacking football and doubled their lead in the 35th minute courtesy of a stunning acrobatic finish from Dicka, who was rightfully adjudged Hero of the match for his stunning display in front of goal.
The result helped Mohun Bagan to within just three points away from East Bengal in the standings despite playing a game lesser. Without further delay, let's take a closer look at how players from both sides fared during the match:
East Bengal
Luis Barreto - 6/10
The East Bengal shot-stopper would feel lucky to have not conceded more on the night as he was let down by his teammates on a few occasions. Barreto could not do much to keep out two stunning shots from Dicka in the first half and never looked like coming close to stopping them.
Lalramchullova - 5/10
The full-back was kept on his toes for the majority of the game thanks to the overgrowing attacking instinct shown by the Bagan players on the night. Lalramchullova enjoyed very little while going forward and was pegged back to his own half for a long time.
Arnab Mondal - 4/10
The East Bengal skipper had a torrid start to the game and struggled to deal with the threat offered by Moghrabi and Dicka early on in the first half. Mondal was unable to keep the duo quiet and was taken off in the 50th minute in the name of a tactical tweak.
Eduardo Ferreira - 4/10
The Brazilian also struggled for large chunks of the game owing to the pace and physicality provided by the Bagan strikers, who ran riot inside East Bengal's final third. Ferreira was poor in terms of awareness and was caught napping on a few instances.
Salam Singh - 5/10
Salam Ranjan Singh could not offer anything more to the disappointing night for the Red and Golds and was made to work tirelessly to try and keep the Bagan attackers at bay. The defender would have enjoyed more going forward.
Prakash Sarkar - 4/10
The midfielder did not have the best of games through the middle of the park for the hosts who were completely steam-rolled by Watson and Fernandes in midfield. Sarkar was eventually taken off in the 42nd minute for Surabuddin Mollick.
Mohammed Rafique - 5/10
Rafique tried to make things happen for the hosts while going forward with a few daring runs but he had nothing to show for it and eventually faded off as the game progressed.
Mahmoud Al Amna - N/A
Picked up an injury in the 4th minute and was replaced by Bazie Armand.
Yusa Katsumi - 6/10
The former Mohun Bagan winger Katsumi Yusa was involved in the thick of the action whenever the Red and Golds pushed forward but he was let down by his teammates who failed to support him with the same level of determination.
Willis Plaza - 5/10
Plaza was denied a goal in the first half after the referee ruled it out when the ball went out of bounds during its flight from a well-worked corner by Katsumi. That was all for him on the night and he struggled to cause any real threat to Shilton Paul in the visitors' goal.
Dudu Omagbemi - 4/10
The striker failed to link-up with his teammates and it almost felt like he was a passenger up front who had zero service to work himself into key positions to try and nick a goal. Dudu capped off a disappointing night when his diving header drifted wide of the goal towards the end of the game.
Substitutes
Bazie Armand - 5/10
Armand was called into action very early due to the injury suffered by Al Amna and was even forced to play at left-back after the introduction of Cavin Lobo in place of Arnab Mondal. The midfielder was strong on the ball and also picked up a booking in the process.
Surabuddin Mollick - 5/10
The midfielder replaced Prakash Sarkar towards the end of the first half and could not make any significant impact in the game as Mohun Bagan took full control of the proceedings from there on.
Cavin Lobo - 6/10
Lobo was introduced in the 50th minute and showed signs of promise while going forward. The midfielder was constantly looking to try and knit a move together to help East Bengal get back into the game but it was not meant to be on the night.