ISL 2016: North East United FC 0-1 Chennaiyin FC - Player Ratings
After a day's break, the Indian Super League resumed Thursday with table toppers NorthEast United taking on defending champions Chennaiyin FC at home in Guwahati. In what was expected to be a tough fixture for them, it was Chennaiyin in the end who came away with the three points, courtesy of a scrappy 1-0 win, in the process registering their first ever victory over the Highlanders.
Here's a look at how the players from the two sides fared. (All the ratings are out of 10)
NorthEast United FC
Subrata Paul - 7.5
Kept out Peluso twice in the first half, first off a free-kick and the second off a dipping curler. Overall had a very measured performance and tried his best to keep the goal out, getting his palm to it, but it was too well struck.
Shouvik Ghosh - 5.5
Largely wasn't involved in the game at all. Was taken off for a forward in the 63rd minute.
Gustavo Lazzaretti - 6
Was careless in possession, giving the ball away too many times and his passing from out back was wayward. Allowed Succi the space for his well-taken goal.
Didier Zokora - 6.5
Was involved in skirmishes all across the pitch with the opposition players, didn't have much to do after the about the 55th minute with his side on the attack.
Nirmal Chettri - 6
Couldn't get the better of Chennaiyin’s left wing combination of Peluso and Jerry who put a lot of pressure on him.
Rowllin Borges - 6.5
In what was a scrappy game, Borges was not exposed with Chennaiyin defending with men behind the ball and had a decent game.
Romaric - 7.5
The midfield powerhouse led his side's charge after having fallen behind. His powerful bursts from midfield and set piece delivery pressured the opposition defence. Unfortunately for him, the equalizer didn't materialize and he was replaced late on after he looked to have run out of gas.
Katsumi Yusa - 6.5
Had a largely invisible first half in which the game had no flow and tackles ruled the roost. Came into the game in the second half with his side having almost all of the possession, but his end product was below his best.
Nicolas Velez - 4.5
Found himself spaced out of the game with Chennaiyin defending deep and left the game in the first half itself through injury in the 38th minute.
Holicharan Narzary - 6.5
Came very close to scoring as he ran onto a Yusa cutback, but was denied by a superb last-ditch tackle from Jerry. Other than that move, didn't threaten like he has done in the past.
Emiliano Alfaro - 6
Was kept quiet by Chennaiyin’s central defenders and cut a frustrated figure by the end. The tournament's leading goalscorer didn't muster even a single shot on goal as he was completely marked out of the game. Also a little guilty of taking away a header from Passi in the 90th minute who was in a better position to score.
Substitutes
Wellington Priori (sub 38’) - 6
Came on for the injured Velez and kept things ticking along in NorthEast’s midfield.
Sumeet Passi (sub 63’) - 6.5
The tall forward made a real difference after coming on, adding an aerial threat to the Highlanders’ attack. He brought about two quick saves in succession in the 83rd minute; his first header was blocked by Bernard Mendy and his second by Chennaiyin custodian Karanjit Singh. Both efforts were goal bound.
Robert Cullen (sub 78’) - 5
Completely fluffed his shot inside the box when the ball fell to him after a good NorthEast attack and failed to impact the game after coming on.