ISL 2017, Match 10: Bengaluru FC vs Delhi Dynamos, Player ratings
Bengaluru FC made it two wins out of two in the ISL 2017, with a dominant display at home to dispatch Delhi Dynamos 4-1. Both teams came into this match with a win in their first game, but it was Bengaluru who were the superior side as they outplayed the Dynamos from the opening whistle to the final one.
The Dynamos simply couldn't handle Bengaluru's attacking threat as they were all over them with only a superb showing from their keeper Albino Gomes keeping the score in check.
Here's a look at how the players fared.
Bengaluru FC
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK) - 6
The giant between the sticks for Bengaluru FC didn't really have much to do. When he was called upon, to deal with some well-placed corners, he looked his usual confident self. Could do nothing about the penalty that was well-taken.
Harmanjot Khabra (DF) - 6.5
Was solid through the night. He combined well with Udanta down the right for a few good moves and did well to keep Dynamos wide men in check. He doubled up as a fourth midfielder at times, which helped Bengaluru dominate proceedings.
Juan Antonio (DF) (75 mins) - 6
The Spaniard was taken off after 75 minutes after he picked up a yellow card in an altercation with Guyon Fernandes. Before that, he'd marshaled his team's defence well, keeping Dynamos skipper Kalu Uche quiet.
John Johnson (DF) - 7
Physicality is Johnson's specialty and he brought it in spades tonight. Never hesitant to make an advanced tackle, he put a lot of pressure on both Uche and the young Lallianzuala Chhangte, not giving them time to turn on the ball. He also was there to clear crosses into the box the few times that the Dynamos did threaten.
Rahul Bheke (DF) - 6.5
Got the better of the young Chhangte by denying him space to run into. He didn't allow Chhangte to get on to his left foot and constantly dared him to beat him on his right foot. Along with Khabra, he made sure that Delhi's wingers didn't threaten much.
Edu (MF) (62 mins) - 8.5
Sensational tonight was Edu, having a hand in so many moves going forward for Bengaluru. Be it providing a killer pass or making an off-the-ball run, Edu was in his elements tonight. His delivery from the free-kick for his side's first was pin-point and so too the one for the second from the corner. His combination play with his frontline too was superb. The Dynamos defence just couldn't pick him up.
Erik Paartalu (MF) - 8.5
The big Australian's goal came just in time as Bengaluru were beginning to get frustrated at not having broken through despite all their dominance. He broke free from the Dynamos' defenders to power the first one in with a header and executed a fantastic header for the second too, spinning around to guide it past the keeper. The two-goal hero also carried out his enforcer duties in midfield well.
Lenny Rodrigues (MF) - 9
Lenny might have got goal number three, but it's not his goal that gets him high marks here. Instead, it was his skill in orchestrating things the entire match. Be it pressing high up against the Dynamos' defence, playing precise through balls, bringing the wide men into play expertly, Lenny was simply brilliant. His distribution of the football was faultless.
Udanta Singh (FW) - 8
Gave the Dynamos' defence headaches with his constant running and threat from the right-hand side. He delivered some fantastic crosses into the box as well for his forwards. Sena Ralte, Delhi's left-back, endured a torrid time trying to mark Udanta.
Miku (FW) - 7.5
Got his first goal of the competition and it was an expertly taken one considering that he almost lost his footing in the process. But, barring the goal, still looks like he hasn't hit his stride fully.
Sunil Chhetri (FW) - 7
Provided the assist for his side's fourth goal with a beautiful ball over the Dynamos' defence, but was perhaps the least impressive member of Bengaluru's front-five. A lot of passes were misplaced and there were poor final balls from the captain tonight. His attempt at setting up Miku in the second half with a cushioned header turned into the perfect back-pass to the Dynamos keeper.
Substitutes
Nishu Kumar (DF) (on for Udanta) - 5.5
Brought in to tighten things up, which he did
Toni Dovale (MF) (on for Edu) - 5
Had a few good moves after coming on, but of course, Bengaluru were looking to just keep the ball by then.
Braulio Nobrega (FW) (on for Juan Antonio) - 5.5
With Nishu coming on for Udanta, Braulio got the attacker count back up. Didn't really have many chances to impact the game.