ISL 2017/18, Match 48: Mumbai City FC vs Kerala Blasters FC, Player Ratings
Mumbai City FC hosted Kerala Blasters FC in the second match of Sunday's doubleheader at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri, Mumbai.
Mumbai City began the match in the fifth position on the Hero Indian Super League standings with a tally of 14 points from nine matches so far. Kerala Blasters meanwhile were two spots down at the seventh position with 11 points from their nine matches.
Kerala Blasters FC won the match 1-0 with a controversial goal by Iain Hume when he scored from a quickly taken free-kick by Courage Pekuson in the first half.
Kerala Blasters won their second away game on the trot as they moved on to the sixth spot in the ISL standings. Mumbai City FC stays rooted to the fifth spot and is now equal on points with the Kerala Blasters.
Mumbai City FC
Amrinder Singh (6/10) - The Mumbai City FC custodian had a quiet night between the sticks except for the Hume goal when the defence was caught unawares by the free-kick taken quickly by Pekuson.
Abinash Ruidas (7.5/10) - The industrious Mumbai City left-back was highly active on the left flank on both the ends of the pitch. Ruidas kept making overlapping runs and combined well with Everton Santos to put in good crosses into the Kerala box.
Lucian Goian (7.5/10) - The no-nonsense defender and Mumbai City FC skipper was his usual reliable self in the central defence. He kept Sifneos in check during the first half and was always a threat in setpiece situations.
Mehrajuddin Wadoo (7/10) - The former Chennaiyin FC defender was a stable presence in the Mumbai City FC defence alongside Lucian Goian. Wadoo won many headers and made good clearances
Davinder Singh (6.5/10) - The young right-back came into the lineup in place of the injured Raju Gaikwad had a busy night as he was kept alert at all times by the runs from the Kerala attackers on his wing.
Gerson Vieira (7/10) - The tough-tackling defensive midfielder played in front of the defence. He was the link between the defence and midfield. He broke up a lot of plays and kept the ball moving for the home side.
Sanju Pradhan (7/10) - The former NorthEast United man put in some great crosses into the box for the Mumbai attackers from the right flank. He was given a tough time, though, by the Kerala left-back Lalruatthara on the right flank.
Achille Emana (7.5/10) - The Cameroonian midfielder was a strong presence in the Mumbai attack as he kept finding his team-mates on both flanks of the pitch with inch-perfect passes.
Balwant Singh (7/10) - The Indian national striker was a point man for the Mumbai City midfielders as he was a threat in the Kerala box. He made good runs behind the Kerala defence and was good in the air as well getting a couple of headers on target at the goal.
Everton Santos (7/10) - The Brazilian attacker played on the left wing and troubled the Kerala defence with his runs on the flanks. He combined well with Emana and Ruidas as they attacked from the left side with crosses and through-balls.
Thiago Santos (7.5/10) - The other Santos in the Mumbai lineup played a similar role to his countryman as he plied his trade on the right wing. He had a great effort on the goal but his shot was parried away by Chowdhury with a great save.
Substitutes:
Pranjal Bhumij (6/10) - The young winger came on at the hour mark and did well to put in some crosses for Balwant Singh and Thiago Santos in the box.
Rafa Jorda (4.5/10) - The lanky forward came on for Everton Santos with 15 minutes to play as the Mumbai coach aimed to use his height advantage in the Kerala box.
Leo Costa (5/10) - The Brazilian, who has returned after his injury early on in the season was put in by Guimaraes for the final 5 minutes and almost equalized for the home side. His effort after a scramble in the Kerala box hit the post on the right side.