NorthEast United 1-0 Atletico de Kolkata: Player Ratings
Atletico de Kolkata and North East United faced off in the Battle of the East at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati on Friday night. North East picked up their second consecutive win handing Atletico de Kolkata their second loss in as many games.
Here are the player ratings from the match:
North East United FC
TP Rehenesh - 6/10
The young goalkeeper didn’t really have much to do in the first half but was up to the task every time he was tested in the later stages of the match. However, a lack of communication between him and centre back Lopez is a cause of concern which Farias will be keen to rectify.
Carlos Javier Lopez – 5/10
The Argentinian who has been brought in to replace the injured Kondwani Mtonga was shaky at times and certainly didn’t have the best of outings. He appeared a bit rusty and was not seen communicating with the young Indian goalie.
Cedric Hengbart – 6.5/10
Hengbart is seen as an imposing and dependable presence at the back and he lived up to that reputation. He was rock solid at the back and it was largely due to his performance that Habas’ men couldn’t score.
Aiborlang Khongjee – 5.5/10
The former Mohun Bagan defender put in a decent performance at the back. He was only once caught out of position and Atletico almost made their opponents pay. Apart from that, he partnered Hengbart really well.
Reagan Singh – 6.5/10
He was really exciting making some good runs ahead and also rushing back to help out in defence. His brilliant volley in the 39th minute was spectacularly saved by Amrinder Singh.
Robin Gurung – 4/10
The left back put in a below par performance at the back for the John Abraham owned side. He was caught out of position on a number of occasions and often failed to put pressure on the Atletico attackers.
Andre Bikey – 5.5/10
The former Charlton man failed to use his physical presence and hardly threatened. He was expected to anchor the midfield and send the balls ahead but that never happened.
Bruno Arias – 7/10
The Spanish midfielder was possibly the best North East player on the pitch. He constantly threatened the Atletico defence. Every time a ball was played forward, he was there lurking and looking to pounce.
S.Hangal – 5/10
The midfielder was virtually non-existent throughout the game. He didn’t have too many shots on goal or decisive passes.
Francis Dadzie – 5/10
He has scored once for his side this season but never looked like doing that on Friday night. Midway through the second half, he was injured and hence was substituted.
Diomansy Kamara – 6.5/10
The former Fulham man threatened on a number of occasions but nothing really materialized. He linked up well with Arias but midway through the second half, he seemed to have lost steam and was eventually substituted.
Substitutes:
Sanju Pradhan – 6.5/10
The former ATK man put in an exciting performance and threatened down the wings. He linked up with Velez quite a few times. It would perhaps have been better had Sanju started the game.
Nicolai Velez – 7/10
He had scored a beautiful goal against Pune City FC and threatened to do the same against ATK. He created a few openings and eventually scored in the 76th minute.
Simao Sabrosa – 6.5/10
The Portugese’s introduction was met with a wild cheer across the stadium and the former Atletico Madrid man lived up to the expectations. He played some good passes ahead and linked up well with Arias.
Atletico de Kolkata
Amrinder Singh – 7/10
The man from Punjab was the best Atletico player on the pitch tonight. He saved some sure shot goals especially the volley from Reagan Singh in the 39th minute. His efforts surely should have earned him a clean sheet.
Rino Anto – 4/10
The Bengaluru FC man was disappointing on the right. He gave away possession far too cheaply and will consider himself lucky to have not been sent off early in the first half.
Arnab Mondal – 5/10
The Indian international was decent at the back but his heading in the opposition half was poor. Further, he could have done a bit more to prevent the goal which was scored in the 76th minute.
Tiri – 5/10
The Spaniard came on in place of countryman Josemi but was nowhere near as good as him. He should have done a bit more to prevent the goal but apart from that, he didn’t have much to do.
Augustine Fernandes – 5.5/10
The left back also put in a decent performance at the back. However, more was expected of him. He rarely linked with Lara and hence ATK’s attacks down the left wing were very few.
Oftense Nato – 4.5/10
The holding midfielder was disappointing. He was hardly seen throughout the game and also earned a yellow card for a foul on Bikey in the second half. Though he did have a shot come off the bar, representing Atletico’s closest attempt at scoring.
Borja Fernandez – 5/10
Just like his midfield partner, the ATK captain was also disappointing in the middle of the park. Neither were any chances created nor did he threaten with any shots on goal.
Baljit Sahni – 4/10
Fresh after serving a two-game suspension, Baljit Sahni put in a poor performance down the right wing. He committed a few fouls early on and appeared rather disinterested throughout the game. He was substituted in the second half with Sushil Kumar coming on in his place.
Jaime Gavilan Martinez – 4.5/10
The Spaniard threatened early on in the first half but since then appeared to be a shadow of himself. He took some shots on goal but it never really threatened the North East goalie.
Javi Lara - 6/10
Javi Lara was Atletico’s most involved player, often threatening to pull NEUFC apart on his own but his wastefulness in front of goal meant that the visitors could not capitalise on their relentless attacks.
Iain Hume – 5/10
The Canadian was also not at his best. A header early on landed in the grateful arms of the goalkeeper TP Rehenesh. Apart from that, last season’s player of the season hardly did anything to test the young Indian goalie. Hume will have to pick himself up as he is effectively ATK’s marquee player right now.
Substitutes:
Sushil Kumar-5/10
The former India international came in place of Baljit Sahni and put in a decent performance. His arrival certainly helped Hume a bit and it would perhaps have been better to introduce him a bit early.