I-League 2017/18: Match 65, Chennai City FC vs Mohun Bagan, Player Ratings
I-League action continued midweek as Chennai City FC hosted Mohun Bagan at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Coimbatore.
The teams started with different motivation in the league as Chennai City FC are battling for survival in the Hero I-League whereas Mohun Bagan is gunning for staying in the title race. Chennai City FC was placed ninth in the table with just 11 points from their thirteen matches. Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, started on the fourth spot with 20 points from twelve matches.
Mohun Bagan failed to capitalize on their attacking play as Chennai City FC held on for a 0-0 draw, ending the season unbeaten against the Mariners.
Chennai City FC
Uros Poljanec (GK) (6/10) - The Chennai keeper had a busy night as Mohun Bagan kept attacking the Chennai goal. He did well in collections from the crosses and corners but was substituted off in the second half when he got hit in a collision with Sheikh Faiaz.
Tarif Akhand (5/10) - The right-back for the home side had a busy night as he had to deal with the dual threat of Azharuddin Mallick initially and later Sheikh Faiaz on his flanks. He did his best to make it tough for the winger to attack freely.
Veniamin Shumeiko (6/10) - The center-back had a tough outing tonight having to deal with the attacking threat of Asier Dicka and Akram Moghrabi. The defender made a lot of clearances with his aerial prowess.
Dharmaraj Ravanan (7/10) - The former India U-23 defender was superb in the defense for Chennai today as he kept the threat of Akram Moghrabi in check. He was strong in his tackle and interceptions
Edwin Vanspaul (5/10) - The defensive midfielder for the Chennai side was a busy man tonight as Mohun Bagan kept attacking from all directions. He did well to hold his ground in the central midfield and played first cover for the Chennai City FC defense. He was sent off in the final stretch of the match in a chaotic sequence of events in Coimbatore.
Pandiyan Srinivasan (5/10) - The left-back for the home side was subdued tonight as he resorted majorly to defensive duties with the attacking barrages by the Bagan side.
Asif Kottayil (5.5/10) - The midfielder put in an industrious shift today having to defend for a long period of time as Mohun Bagan turned on the pressure on the home side. He was involved whenever Chennai broke on the counter-attack.
Soosai Raj (6/10) - The Chennai City FC winger was his creative best on the flank and kept the Bagan defense on their toe with his runs. He was the designated setpiece taker for the home side and did well with good deliveries for Joachim inside the box.
Aleksandar Rakic (6.5/10) - The debuting midfielder was a shining presence in the otherwise silent Chennai midfield as he kept testing the Bagan defense with through-balls and passes. He was strong on the ball and moved it well around the park whenever Chennai attacked.
Donghyeon Kim (5.5/10) - The Korean midfielder played centrally and did well to move across the midfield on both ends. He was actively defending whenever required and also kickstarted the Chennai City FC counter-attacks from the back.
Jean Michael Joachim (7.5/10) - The lone attacker for Chennai City FC was the danger man for Bagan as he kept threatening the goal with his chances. He took a lot of long-range chances and brought out the best from Shilton Paul in the Bagan goal. He was awarded the Hero of the Match for his performance.
Substitutes:
Kabir Taufiq (5.5/10) - The young keeper replaced the goalkeeper Poljanec in the 72nd minute when he got hit with a knee by Sheikh Faiaz. He was called into action quickly with a penalty but proved his credentials when he produced a great save from the spot-kick by Akram Moghrabi.
Sebastian Thangmuansang (4/10) - The midfielder came on to replace debutante Rakic at the start of the added time as Chennai City aimed to keep the Bagan side in check.
Beautin Antony (3/10) - The youngster came on in the final two minutes of added time in place of skipper Soosai Raj.