ISL 2017/18, Match 86: Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC, Player Ratings
The 86th match of the ISL saw the league leaders Bengaluru FC host fellow southerners Kerala Blasters FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
The two sides played their last fixture of the league stages with contrasting fortunes in the standings. Bengaluru FC has assured the top spot in the table with a total of 37 points from their 17 matches and were on a seven-match unbeaten streak.
Kerala Blasters FC, meanwhile, began on the sixth spot with 25 points from the same number of matches but had their playoff hopes dashed last night when ATK lost to FC Goa.
Bengaluru FC found it tough to break down the organized Kerala defenders for most of the match. The resolute Kerala Blasters defence conceded twice late in the match as Miku and Udanta Singh scored past Paul Rachubka to complete the double over last year's finalists.
Bengaluru FC
Gurpreet Singh (5/10): The Indian No.1 keeper had a quiet match between the sticks as Kerala weren't able to attack the goal much and had very few shots.
Boithang Haokip (6/10): The former Mumbai City FC man played as the right-back for the home side and was a good option on the overlap with his runs. He had to deal with the dynamic Jackichand Singh on his flank. However, he got injured in the second half with a wrist concern after going for an aerial ball into the box and landing awkwardly and was replaced by Udanta Singh.
Rahul Bheke (6/10): The Mumbai-born defender played as a centre-back with Subhashish Bose at his side as Albert Roca rested Johnson and Juanan. He was good in defence as he managed to quell the threat of Baldvinsson.
Subhasish Bose (6/10): The other centre-back for the home side partnered Bheke in a new-look Bengaluru central defence. He did well as he played out from the back and sometimes surged ahead to provide support in the attack as well.
Nishu Kumar (6/10): The young left-back was an active presence on the left flank with his runs into the box and had a great opportunity to score in the first half. He was replaced by the new signing Daniel Segovia before the hour mark as Roca increased the attacking pedigree.
Lenny Rodrigues (5/10): The lanky midfielder played centrally behind the attacking midfielders and did well to distribute the ball around the park.
Dimas Delgado (6/10): The Spaniard played alongside Paartalu in the defensive midfield role and was strong in his tackles in the midfield. He broke up a lot of Kerala plays in the centre and was the setpiece taker for the home side and provided the assist for the second goal by Udanta Singh.
Erik Paartalu (5.5/10): The big man from Australia played just in front of the defence, providing cover with his physicality. He was always a threat from corners and setpieces for the Blues.
Toni Dovale (5/10): The Spanish playmaker was the creative source for the Bengaluru side as he kept looking for the runs of Chhetri and Miku up ahead.
Sunil Chhetri (6.5/10): The Indian captain was confident in attack for the Blues as he played on the left flank and cut into the box with his runs. He was a constant threat on the flank as he kept Rino Anto occupied in the match.
Miku (8/10): The Venezuelan striker was heavily marked throughout the match as he was up against the gritty Jhingan in the box. He kept the Kerala defence alert at all times and was rewarded at the end when he slotted his powerful effort into the left bottom corner beating Rachubka in the 91st minute.
Substitutes
Udanta Singh (6/10): The pacey winger came on to replace the injured Haokip just before the hour mark and was a constant option in the attack on the right wing for the Blues. He got his name on the scoresheet in the added time when he scored from the top of the box to make it 2-0.
Daniel Segovia (5/10): The new signing made an appearance off the bench as Bengaluru increased the attacking threats at the hour mark. He got an assist to his credit when he set up Miku for the first goal.
Alwyn George (N/A): The midfielder came on to replace Chhetri for the final ten minutes of the match.