ISL 2016: NorthEast United 2- 0 FC Goa - Player Ratings
NorthEast United
Subrata Paul – 8/10
The Indian veteran had a great game in goal and kept the concentrated Goan attack at bay. In the second half, he showed exactly why they nicknamed him 'Spiderman' with two outstanding saves in quick succession.
Reagan Singh – 4.5/10
The right back did his job, without being spectacular either in defense or offense. He was given a good ol' run around by Dessai initially, but warmed to his task as the game wore on. Was lucky not to concede a penalty in the dying moments of the match as he tripped the flying Goan winger.
Mailson Alves (off 27') – 5/10
The defender was solid in the early phases of the game, but was subbed off with an injury early on. Didn't have enough time to make much of an impact.
Gustavo Lazzaretti – 7/10
The NorthEast captain was solid and defended well throughout. Stopped a number of Goan attacks in that no-nonsense manner of his, and was instrumental in NorthEast keeping a clean sheet.
Robin Gurung – 6/10
The left back had a decent outing and handled the threat of the Goan wingers well. Committed a poor tackle in the 75th minute on Romeo for which he was deservedly booked
Wellington Priori – 7/10
The Brazilian had a great game in the middle of the park alongside Romaric and Borges. Controlled the game well, and played a superb pass in the second half to release Velez.
Romaric (off 71') – 7/10
The Ivorian was great in the centre of the park – smart on the ball and strong in the tackle – he controlled the game with his metronomic passing. He got clattered by Lucio late in the second half, and soon was subbed off.
Rowllin Borges – 8/10
Borges is developing into quite the defensive midfielder. Similar in style to Sergio Busquets, the Goan was exceptional in the middle of the park – without ever doing anything that made him stand out. He broke up play effortlessly, and played his passes crisply and it was he who ended most Goan attacks and started most NorthEast ones.
Katsumi Yusa – 7/10
The Japanese midfielder was a pain in the side of the Goan defence throughout. The willing runner that he is, he ran the opposition ragged throughout. If there were to be any complaints raised against him, it would be that he was too selfish as exemplified by a chance in the 10th minute when he elected to shoot rather than pass to better-placed teammates.
Halicharan Narzary – 8.5/10
The young Indian star was a revelation drifting all along the NorthEast frontline behind Alfaro. He played a number of superb passes forward, the pick of which was the flick that released Alfaro for the second goal. It was a piece of magic that any of the big names in the league would have been proud to pull off.
Emiliano Alfaro (off 92') – 9/10
The Uruguayan was outstanding today. He kept harrying and hustling (as he did in the opening match) and was rewarded for his persistance when Kattimani played the ball straight at him to gift him the opening goal. The second was an expert finish straight through the keeper's legs. He could even have had a hattrick but for a brilliant interception by Raju Gaikwad
Substitutes
Didier Zokora (On 27') – 6/10
The Ivorian marquee player of NorthEast came on and played centre-back – not the position he created his marquee status in, but he adapted well and was solid throughout.
Nicolas Velez (On 71') – 7/10
The little magician was brilliant for the twenty minutes he was on the pitch. He created Alfaro's hat-trick chance by very selflessly squaring the ball to the better-placed striker when he could have easily taken it on himself. Almost ran through on goal with a superbly timed run behind the defence but was called offside
Seityasen (off '92) – NA
Came on too late to make any discernable impact