Indian Super Cup 2018: Mohun Bagan vs Shillong Lajong FC, Player Ratings
The action resumed in the Indian Super Cup as the second quarter-final clash took place at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar between Mohun Bagan and Shillong Lajong FC in an early evening kick-off.
The two sides from the I-League came into the match on the back of close wins over their Round of 16 opponents.
Mohun Bagan overcame a stiff challenge from fellow I-League side Churchill Brothers with a 2-1 win after a brace by Dipanda Dicka.
Shillong Lajong FC, on the other hand, pulled off an incredible comeback from 0-2 down to win 3-2 against Indian Super League franchise FC Pune City.
Mohun Bagan took a 2-1 lead at the half-time after goals from Shaikh Faiaz and Nikhil Kadam put them in a slender lead that was cut down by an opportunistic goal by Abdoulaye Koffi.
The Kolkata giants added another goal in the second half that was superbly headed by Akram Moghrabi as they won 3-1 at full time. Mohun Bagan will face the winner of the match between Bengaluru FC and NEROCA FC.
Mohun Bagan AC
Shilton Paul (4.5/10) - The veteran keeper produced a superb save from the penalty attempt by Samuel Lalmuanpuia but conceded just minutes later when Koffi headed past him.
He looked shaky between the sticks as he fumbled a lot of easy collections from crosses.
Gurjinder Kumar (6/10) - The left-back of the Mohun Bagan side did well at the back helping out the defence as he dealt with the pacey wingers of the Lajong side.
He provided good support to Nikhil Kadam ahead of him whenever he went out into attack.
Kingsley Eze (6/10) - The former Aizawl FC man was a strong figure at the back as the Bagan defence dealt with the threat of Samuel and Koffi.
He put in a lot of tackles and won aerial duels in the box to keep the Shillong attack at bay.
Kinshuk Debnath (5.5/10) - The Mohun Bagan skipper conceded a penalty midway into the first half when he brought down Sheen Stevenson inside the box.
Arijit Bagui (7/10) - The right-back for the Kolkata side was very active on the flank and made a lot of runs on the attack.
He put in a great ball inside the box that was headed in by Moghrabi for the third Mohun Bagan goal.
Yuta Kinowaki (6/10) - The Japanese midfielder played just in front of the defence and put in a hard shift as he moved up and down the midfield.
He put in good tackles in the centre of the pitch and started attacks from the back for Bagan.
Cameron Watson (6/10) - The central midfielder played all across the middle of the park as he distributed the ball in all directions.
He was crucial for Bagan as they controlled the tempo of the game.
Nikhil Kadam (8/10) - The former Mumbai FC man scored a scorcher from outside the box when he pounced on a headed clearance from Laurence Doe and the ball hit the underside of the bar and bounced inside.
Shaikh Faiaz (8/10) - The young winger scored the first goal of the match when he latched onto a delicate lob put by Dicka into the box.
Faiaz did well to control the ball and scored it in an off-balance position.
Dipanda Dicka (7.5/10) - The top scorer in the I-League turned provider today when he set up Faiaz for the first goal of the match.
He was a constant danger for the Lajong defenders with his presence in the box.
Akram Moghrabi (8/10) - The Lebanese forward played the perfect partner to Dicka up ahead as he created chances and made good runs in and around the box.
He scored an incredible diving header when he connected to a cross from the right side by Arijit Bagui.
Substitutes:
Beingaichho Beikkhokei (4/10) - The former Bengaluru FC man came on to replace goalscorer Nikhil Kadam in the 71st minute as Bagan made the first change in the match.
Raynier Fernandes (3/10) - The Mumbai-born midfielder came on in the final five minutes of the match.
Ricky Lallawmawma (1/10) - The left-back was put on in the final minute of the match replacing Shilton Fernandes.