ISL 2017/18: Match 40, NorthEast United FC vs FC Goa, Player Ratings
NorthEast United FC hosted FC Goa in Match 40 of ISL at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday.
The home side came into the match after a dismal 5-0 thrashing against table-toppers FC Pune City that led to the sacking of their head coach Joao De Deus. Former East Bengal coach Eelco Schattorie took charge as the assistant coach and Avram Grant joined the John Abraham-owned side as the technical advisor. The Highlanders started the match in ninth position with just four points from seven matches.
FC Goa, who had a troubled experience just three days ago with the plane fiasco on their way to Kolkata took the field with some changes to their line-up. The Gaurs were placed fifth on the table with a tally of 13 points from their seven matches.
NorthEast United won the match 2-1 as they inflicted an upset on high-flying FC Goa after a string of poor results. Marcinho was the hero of the match grabbing a goal and an assist on the night. Manuel Arana had levelled for the visitors just seven minutes after the Marcinho goal. Seminlen Doungel scored the winner latching onto an incisive pass from Marcinho to secure the three points for the Highlanders.
NorthEast United FC
TP Rehenesh (6) - The NorthEast United custodian was sharp between the sticks and safely collected the crosses which were put in the box by the FC Goa wingers and full backs. He was beaten by Arana from a close angle once, which resulted in Goa's only goal, but had a solid game overall.
Mamadu Samba Cande (6.5) - The burly centre-back, also known as Sambinha was strong in the defence and he had the task of marking ISL season 4's top-scorer Ferran Corominas, who was constantly trying to make good runs. Sambinha made some crucial interruptions and managed to contain the deadly striker.
Nirmal Chettri (6) - The experienced right-back for the Highlanders was a little hasty on Saturday as he got booked early on in the first half. The former India national provided good support from the right wing for the home side and sent in a couple of telling crosses.
Jose Goncalves (6.5) - The captain of the home side was a rock in the Northeast United defence and was the major reason why his team was able to keep Goa subdued in the first half. His mistake led to Arana's goal but that was a rare blip on a highly impressive night.
Reagan Singh (6) - The former Mumbai FC left-back was forced to do defensive duties tonight as he had to negate the threat of Goan midfield maestro Manuel Lanzarote and he handled his responsibilities quite well.
Seimenlen Doungel (8) - Barring a few in-roads in the Goan box, Doungel had a quiet game compared to his usual standards in the first half. He started the second half with a bang as he found himself at the end of a through ball from Marcinho and then on being in an one on one situation with the goalkeeper, Laxmikant Kattimani Doungel calmly chipped the ball in the back of the net.
Martin Diaz (7.5) - Diaz played centrally and was the pivot between the defence and the attack along with Rowlin Borges.The Uruguayan moved the ball around well across the pitch and kept looking for the incisive runs of his forwards with the aerial through balls.
Rowlin Borges (7.5) - The Indian defensive midfielder was highly industrious and strong in the midfield halting FC Goa in their stride on a number of occasions. Borges swiftly distributed the ball to the wings as he kickstarted the attacks for the Highlanders.
Marcio de Souza Junior (9) - Marcinho, as he is probably known, was the major source of all attacks for NorthEast United and even managed to score a goal as he latched on to a cross from Danilo Cezario. Marcinho was the provider for Doungel's goal that gave the home side the lead for the second time in 90 minutes.
Holicharan Narzary (7) - The Indian international made some fast paced runs along the wings and kept the Goan wing-backs on their toes.
Danilo Cezario (7.5) - The Brazilian provided the assist for the first goal and was instrumental in creating a series of attacking moves. He left the Goan defence jittered on a number of occasions.
Substitutes:
Robert Lalthlamuana (4.5) - The winger came on for the final 15 minutes and had little time to make any sizeable impact on the match.
Abdul Hakku (4) - The centre-back came on at the 90th minute in place of Marcinho to reinforce the NorthEast United defence as they strived to hold on to the lead.