ISL 2017/18, Match 75: NorthEast United FC vs Kerala Blasters FC, Player Ratings
Match 75 of the Indian Super League saw NorthEast United FC host last year's finalists Kerala Blasters at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.
The two sides have had a contrasting run of fortune in this season as the Highlanders have struggled this year and lie in the bottom half of the table in the ninth position with 11 points from their fifteen matches. Kerala Blasters FC, on the other hand, is in the fifth position with 21 points from the same number of matches and have a shot at making the playoffs.
Kerala came out 1-0 winners away from home as they kept their playoff hopes alive in the tournament. Wes Brown scored his first goal in the first half of the match, when he headed in a corner from Jackichand Singh.
NorthEast United FC
TP Rehenesh (6/10) - The NorthEast United keeper was a stable presence between the sticks as he kept out the efforts from Kerala. He was beaten from a corner when Wes Brown headed past him but did well for most of the match.
Gursimrat Singh (5/10) - The left-back was given a start by Avram Grant and did well in the defence as he was up against the pacey Jackichand Singh on his flank. He was not involved in the attacks much as he mostly resorted to his defensive duties.
Nirmal Chhetri (5.5/10) - The defender played centrally in a different position from his usual right-back spot alongside Martin Diaz. He had a tough day marking Gudjon Baldvinsson, who looked threatening but did well.
Reagan Singh (6/10) - The right-back was highly active on his flank as he made a lot of overlapping runs and put good crosses into the box. He did well defensively as well, keeping the threat of Prasanth K in check
Martin Diaz (5.5/10) - The Uruguayan played in central defence and was a tough tackler as he dealt with the threat of the dynamic CK Vineeth.
Robert Lalthlamuana (5/10) - The NorthEast skipper played a defensive role on the left, stemming the flow of the Kerala attacks from the right flank.
Rowllin Borges (6/10) - The lanky midfielder was the pivot man between the midfield and defence for the home side. He played the first line of defence and distributed the ball well from the centre. However, he did not have much impact on the game other than that.
Lalrempuia Fanai (6/10) - The midfielder played on the right side as he kept looking for overlapping runs from the fullback and the strikers ahead of him. He did well to keep the attack going for the home side and even took corners.
Lalrindika Ralte (6/10) - The former ATK man played a little deeper role in midfield as he moved the ball well with his famed left foot. He had a couple of good efforts on the goal and was the designated setpiece taker for the home side.
Danilo Lopes (5.5/10) - The NorthEast United FC striker was the main man up ahead with a lot of efforts on the goal but did not trouble Paul Rachubka in the first half. He was substituted at the end of the first half as John Jairo replaced him in the attack.
Maic Sema (6.5/10) - The Swiss striker played just behind Danilo and moved across the attack and kept looking for good passes in attack. He was a threat in the setpiece situations for the home side.
Substitutes:
John Jairo (5.5/10) - The hulking striker came on at the start of the second half replacing Danilo Cezario in the attack. He was a threat in the attack with his physical presence and gave the Kerala defenders a tough time.
Seminlen Doungel (N/A) - The midfielder came on for the final ten minutes as Grant put him on in search of the equalizing goal.
Halicharan Narzary (N/A) - The other change made ten minutes from time by Grant as NorthEast made changes looking for the elusive equalizer.