FC Goa avoided the ignominy of being the first ISL side to go 5 games without a win, putting in an assured performance at the Mumbai Football Arena to defeat Mumbai City FC by a solitary goal. Richarlyson’s 41st minute strike underlined Goa’s dominance of the first half and they comfortably saw out the second half to win their first game of ISL.
Here are how the players rated.
Mumbai City FC
Roberto Volpato (GK) - 6/10
The Mumbai City custodian was good for the most part, controlling his box well, and doing well to prevent Keenan’s cross from causing danger in the first half. He had no answer to Richarlyson’s goal, although he would be disappointed not to have organised his defensive zones in a better manner from the corner.
Ashutosh Mehta - 6.5/10
Ashutosh struggled as soon as Goa switched their formation and was beaten for pace multiple times in the first half. He could have conceded a penalty early in the second half but improved as Mumbai became desperate, sending in a couple of tempting crosses that should have been converted.
Lucian Goian – 7/10
The Romanian centre-back marshalled the Mumbai defence extremely well. His battle with Julio Cesar was football at its best, although Goian was occasionally caught out, which also resulted in him getting booked. Goian would be disappointed with the manner of the concession of the goal, which was a blemish on a relatively strong performance.
Aiborlang Khongjee – 6/10
The Indian defender prevented Robin Singh from running onto a 1-on-1 situation with a great sliding interception to clear. While he prevented a certain goal, Khongjee struggled in certain 1-on-1’s, getting turned with ease by Julio Cesar twice.
Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte – 6/10
The fullback was great going forward and battled well with Keenan Almeida. He was caught out of position a few times and had to be bailed out by his centre-backs. Ralte was quite promising going forward though and sent in a couple of tempting crosses.
Pronay Halder – 5.5/10
The Indian enforcer struggled to contain the FC Goa midfield in the first half, although he had a couple of forays forward thwarted. Halder went off in the 52nd minute thanks to an injury, although it is telling that Mumbai looked better after he left the pitch.
Krisztian Vadocz – 4/10
Mumbai City’s midfield goal-scorer in the last few games was completely anonymous today, as he was unable to exert any influence creatively. The Hungarian did not offer much defensively either and should have been substituted by Guimares.
Rakesh Oram – 6/10
The youngster had a relatively good game in the middle of the park, showing remarkable composure for an 18-year-old. While he did keep possession well and recycled the ball with ease, Oram had moments when he was physically bullied by the Goan midfield. He tired in the second half and was consequently replaced in the 69th minute.
Matias Defederico – 6/10
The Argentinian was very quiet in the first half, as he struggled to replicate his good form. He was marked rather tightly and was unable to provide any support to Diego Forlan. He had his best moment of the match in the 53rd minute, tricking his way past defenders before curling a shot wide – it wasn’t enough to prevent his substitution in the 61st minute
Diego Forlan – 5/10
The Uruguayan made his return to the Mumbai City lineup, but was rather disappointing – it’s telling that the Mumbai frontline lacked fluency with him on the pitch. Forlan was restricted to long shots from range and even misfired over the bar from a couple of free-kicks.
Sony Norde – 6/10
The Haitian was very dangerous down the flanks in the opening few exchanges, but he was negated after Goa’s formation switch. Norde only found space late in the second half as Mumbai poured forward, making a great, but unfruitful run in the 80th minute.
Substitutes
Jackichand Singh (52’) – 6.5/10
It’s a mystery why Jackichand does not get a start. The Indian winger came on to replace Halder and immediately was the brightest attacking force for Mumbai. He was very bright on the wings and tested the Goan keeper on the hour mark with a swerving shot from range.
Cafu (61’) - 4.5/10
Cafu was completely anonymous in an offensive and defensive sense – all he managed to do was run around a bit.
David Lalrinmuana (69’) – 5/10
David was unable to exert influence after he came on, although he did manage to win a free-kick late in the game in a promising position.
FC Goa
Subashish Roy Chowdhury (GK) – 6/10
The Indian goalkeeper was rarely tested but did well when called upon. It was a far cry from his nervous performance in the previous game, although a bit of concern remains from set-pieces. He positioned himself well for every shot and set-piece, calmly handling things, resulting in a solid backline ahead of him.
Raju Gaikwad – 7/10
He picked up an award after the end of the game and it was fully deserved. Gaikwad easily switched from the full back position to a 3-man central defence with ease and did not put a foot wrong, except for a nervous clearance from a cross that ricocheted off his body in the second half.
Gregory Arnolin – 7.5/10
The Goan captain put in a typically superb performance, bullying Deigo Forlan and ensuring that the Uruguayan had a quiet game. Arnolin controlled the Goan backline well after switching to a 3-man defence, making numerous important clearances and distributing the ball well from deep.
Rafael Dumas – 6.5/10
The Brazilian was a bit nervous after the switch to the 3-man defence. Dumas was turned a couple of times by Defederico but was bailed out by his teammates. He did look composed later on in the second half.
Keenan Almeida – 6.5/10
The Indian right-back had a fantastic battle with Ralte down the flanks. It was a see-saw game for him, as he threatened going forward with a couple of dangerous crosses into the box, but was also sometimes outmuscled by Ralte, which ended a couple of promising positions.
Richarlyson – 8.5/10
Even before the goal, the Brazilian was superb in midfield, absolutely bossing things. After the switch to a 3-5-2 formation, Richarlyson went to the left-wing back position and made merry, using his physique and technique to trouble the Mumbai defence. His goal in the 41st minute was superbly timed and finished with a lovely controlled finish, making it look easy that it actually was.
Trindade Goncalves – 7/10
Trindade has been a real find for FC Goa in midfield. The Brazilian could have had a much higher rating if not for his selfishness. Trindade made a couple of storming runs into the box, but when the position called for a cutback or a cross, he opted to shoot. However, he was full of running in midfield, also distributing the ball well.
Pratesh Shirodkar – 5/10
The Indian midfielder was quite combative in midfield but gave away possession often with some sloppy passing. He also collected a foolish yellow card and was fortunate that his midfield partners bailed him out.
Julio Cesar – 9/10
Julio Cesar was FC Goa’s best player on the night – he provided a superb assist for Goa’s opener, and should have had two assists, heading the ball down to Robin Singh early in the second half. The Brazilian sent in some delicious set-pieces and went close to scoring himself in the 88th minute.
Robin Singh – 5.5/10
Robin Singh produced his typically bruising, frustrating performance, but perhaps that is what makes the Indian striker. He missed a great chance to duble Goa’s lead early in the second half, mishitting a ball from 4 yards out. He followed that up with a foolish yellow, picked up when he needlessly got involved with Ashutosh Mehta from a corner.
Joffre – 6.5/10
The Spaniard was unusually quiet in the final third but did keep the game flowing. He was pushed wide for much of the game and sent in a couple of tempting crosses from the left in the first half, but as he tired was wayward with his deliveries, resulting in him being substituted in the 79th minute.
Substitutes
Mandar Rao Desai (75’) – 5/10
The Indian youngster had a promising run down the right which resulted in a cross to an offside Julio Cesar but did not do much else, as he only had 15 minutes to get into the game.
Debabrata Roy (71’) – 4/10
He was brought on to replace a tiring Keenan Almeida on the flanks but was unable to prevent Mumbai from sending in a couple of dangerous crosses from the wings.
Lucio (79’) – NA
Came on late to shore things up and the Brazilian spent too little time on the pitch to warrant a rating
