Player Ratings: FC Goa 2-0 Delhi Dynamos
FC Goa started their campaign this year with a convincing 2-0 win against a spirited Delhi Dynamos team in Goa today.
Zico’s boys were extremely wdisciplined and organized throughout the game. Although the Delhi team had the lion’s share of ball possession, the Goan outfit were clinical in front of goal
The first goal was a beautiful well worked move, which required only four passes to open up the Delhi defence. Mandar Rao Desai touched the final ball, although it was adjudged as Souvik Chakroborty’s own goal. The second Goal was a similar opportunistic strike from a powerful free kick from Jofre, which was converted by Reinaldo from close range.
Delhi dominated the rest of the match with two shots hitting the bar and a number of saves made by the FC Goa keeper Andrade. Here are the player ratings for today’s match.
FC Goa
Elinton Andrade-7/10
The 36-year old Brazilian keeper was brilliant between the sticks. He made a number of crucial saves all throughout the game. Along with a calm head, he was echnically very strong. Andrade played with a lot of confidence taking the pressure off the team’s defensive line.
Lucio- 6/10
One of the most consistent defenders of all time, Lucio brings in a lot of experience into the Goan team. However, he was beaten by the raw pace of young Ghanian striker Richard Gadze, a number of times in the first half. In the second half also he had to play his heart out to stop the young attacking trio of Dos Santos, Andre and Adil Nabi. But he used all his experience efficiently to lead the young lads of the team, a true leader indeed.
Gregory Arnolin- 7/10
Arnolin was superb in the center back position for the team with a stern defensive display. He had to cover up a lot of open spaces left out by Lucio especially in the first half. In the second half he was more aggressive. He tried a spectacular overhead kick from a corner kick right before the end of the game, unfortunately which he couldn’t connect.
Kenan Almeida- 6/10
The young Goan was instrumental for Sporting Club de Goa in the I-League last year. His performance was satisfactory today supporting the central defender from the left. But he was a little subdued compared to right back Debabrata Roy. This is the reason why the left side of the Goan team was very dull throughout the match.
Debabrata Roy- 7/10
Roy was one of the standout performers for FC Goa today. He used his pace to run up and down endlessly. Along with this he marked the dangerous Malouda effectively in the game. He was a very bright prospect last year and he was surely able to replicate that same performance in today’s match.
Denson Devdas- 6.5/10
Devdas has been very inconsistent throughout his career. His brilliant performances were followed by very poor ones, during his time at Mohun Bagan. But this time, we saw a rejuvenated and an evolved Denson Devdas. He was given the pivotal role as the only defensive pivot, a link between the defense and the midfield of the team. He did very well; destroying Delhi’s attacking moves.
Jofre- 7.5/10
The Spanish midfielder won a free-kick just outside the box by neatly beating Vinicius by a beautiful step over. His powerful free-kick was parried home by Reinaldo just before the half time. Other than that he played neat football with a more defensive play covering the space in front of the defensive. He held the ball calmly and distributed precise long balls for the strikers. One of the top performers of the match, he was substituted in the injury time at the dying minutes of the match.
Leo Moura- 7/10
Leo Moura participated in the goal scoring move of the team, when he played a neat one two with Reinaldo before passing it down the flank for Romeo Fernandez. Romeo crossed the ball into the box for Mandar Rao Desai, who made no mistake in finishing the move. Other than this Moura was good, playing in a more offensive role. His ball distribution was very strong providing a link between the defensive midfielders and the wingers.
Mandar Rao Desai- 8.5/10
It was good to see the young Goan playing with so much zest and caliber against internationally acclaimed players. Other than touching the ball into the goal (although it was adjudged as an own goal), he was all over the park. Dribbling past players like Riise and Carlos, he combined excellently with another stand out performer Romeo Fernandez to ensure the victory for the side. One of the player to watch out for in the future. He was rightly given the Man of the Match award.
Romeo Fernandez- 7.5/10
Another standout performer, he showed why he was signed by the first division Brazilian club last year. With soft touches and small inside outside dodges, he tore apart the Dynamos defense in the first half. His runs down the right flank were difficult to stop, although he had to play more defensively in the following half.
Reinaldo- 7/10
He was the lone striker for the team with Zico opting for a 4-1-4-1 formation, which gradually changed to 4-5-1 in the second half. Reinaldo held his ground scoring an opportunist goal in the first half which ensured the team’s victory. He formed a good partnership with fellow Brazilian Leo Moura in the middle of the park.
Subs-
Jonatan- 5/10
His powerful shot was saved by a flying Sanjiban Ghosh during the last minutes of the match. He came on in the 83rd minute and hardly could hardly get a touch on the ball.
Luciano Sabrosa- 5/10
The experienced Brazilian defender made one mistake in the three minutes, when he gifted a free kick a few yards outside the box. Roberto Carlos’s almost scored with the free kick.
C. Sabeeth
He came on in the 87th minute and did not get a chance to touch the ball, since the whole Goan team was back defending .