Kerala Blasters FC 3-1 Mumbai City FC: Player Ratings as Alvaro Vazquez's double sinks Islanders

Kerala Blasters' Alvaro Vazquez celebrates scoring against Mumbai City. [Credits: ISL]

Kerala Blasters FC put in a fantastic performance to beat Mumbai City FC 3-1 in the ISL earlier tonight.

Sahal Abdul Samad opened the scoring for the Tuskers with a good finish following a mazy run. Alvaro Vazquez doubled their advantage after winning a foul from Mourtada Fall in the box and converting the resulting spot-kick.

The Islanders began the second half well but goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz gifted the ball to Vazquez, who scored the Kerala Blasters' third goal. Substitute Diego Mauricio then won a penalty and converted it for Mumbai City late on but it was a mere consolation.

FULL-TIME | #KBFCMCFC

ഒരു തകർപ്പൻ പ്രകടനം ⚡

@KeralaBlasters do the double over the defending champions @MumbaiCityFC to pick up 3️⃣ precious points! 👏

#HeroISL #LetsFootball https://t.co/yyDndfJNAN

The win means the Tuskers now need just a point to qualify for the semi-finals while the Islanders' fate is no longer in their hands.

Here are the player ratings from the match:

Kerala Blasters

Prabhsukhan Gill - 6/10

Gill made a couple of decent saves and also claimed a few crosses in a fairly routine performance.

Sanjeev Stalin - 6/10

Stalin was subdued going forward but put in a decent shift in defense, recording a clearance and a block while winning three ground duels.

Marko Leskovic - 6.5/10

Leskovic was solid at the heart of the Kerala Blasters defense, making five clearances and winning four aerial duels. Mumbai City struggled to trouble the centre-back, who looked assured on and off the ball.

Hormipam Ruivah - 6.5/10

Ruivah was unfortunate to concede a penalty that seemed quite soft on first viewing. He did well to hold his side's lead late on, recording seven clearances and an interception.

Sandeep Singh - 6.5/10

Sandeep Singh was a menace going forward and latched onto the ball in some good areas but made the wrong decision at times. The Kerala Blasters right-back also made two tackles and an interception in defense.

Adrian Luna - 7/10

It almost seems like Luna just doesn't have any bad games at this point. He didn't get on the scoresheet but still had an excellent outing, recording three key passes and even hitting the woodwork. The Kerala Blasters' talisman also won eight of his 11 duels and made two clearances, two interceptions and a tackle.

81' SO CLOSE!!! 😓😓

Luna's free-kick from range is tipped onto the post by Nawaz, and Rahul and Alvaro can't get connections onto the rebounds to get the ball into the back of the net.

#KBFCMCFC #YennumYellow #KBFC #കേരളബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ്

Lalthathanga Khawlhring - 6.5/10

Khawlhring was lucky not to concede a penalty for a high boot on Mumbai City's Brad Inman but was solid beyond that point. His work in the middle allowed the attackers to flourish.

Ayush Adhikari - 6.5/10

Adhikari enjoyed another decent outing and provided his defense with ample protection against an iffy Islanders frontline. The midfielder won three ground duels and made a clearance.

Sahal Abdul Samad - 6.5/10

This game once again showed glimpses of what Abdul Samad is capable of. He latched onto a loose ball to wriggle his way around three defenders to score Kerala Blasters' opener but was dealt with well after that.

We dare you to not smile from ear to ear after looking at this sight 😊

#KBFCMCFC #YennumYellow #KBFC #കേരളബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് https://t.co/QIAhWYV5hw

Jorge Pereyra Diaz - 6.5/10

Pereyra Diaz didn't have much luck in front of goal but still combined extremely well with Vazquez and Luna at times. He recorded four key passes and sent in two successful crosses but had no shots on target.

Alvaro Vazquez - 8.5/10

Vazquez was close to his brilliant best in this match to put Kerala Blasters on the brink of a top-four finish. His quick feet saw him win a penalty, which he dispatched with aplomb. He also latched onto a mistake from Nawaz with a cushioned finish that sealed the game.

61' VAZQUEZ HAS ANOTHER!!!!

Nawaz miscues his kick and it falls kindly to Vazquez, who obliges 😊

#KBFCMCFC #YennumYellow #KBFC #കേരളബ്ലാസ്റ്റേഴ്സ് https://t.co/OYEwAsjSUf

The Spaniard had four shots on target as Mumbai City FC struggled to deal with him all night.

View the today's ISL match result here.

Substitutes

Rahul KP - 6/10

Rahul came on for Abdul Samad in the 72nd minute. He added more energy to the Blasters' attack and helped them see out the win.

Prasanth Karuthadathkuni - N/A

Karuthadathkuni replaced Adhikari in the 86th minute. He had just two touches of the ball and didn't really impact the match.

Chencho Gyeltshen - N/A

Gyeltshen came on for Vazquez in the 90th minute. He charged forward well but ultimately didn't impact the game much.