After a day's break, the Indian Super League resumed Thursday with table toppers NorthEast United taking on defending champions Chennaiyin FC at home in Guwahati. In what was expected to be a tough fixture for them, it was Chennaiyin in the end who came away with the three points, courtesy of a scrappy 1-0 win, in the process registering their first ever victory over the Highlanders.
Here's a look at how the players from the two sides fared. (All the ratings are out of 10)
NorthEast United FC
Subrata Paul - 7.5
Kept out Peluso twice in the first half, first off a free-kick and the second off a dipping curler. Overall had a very measured performance and tried his best to keep the goal out, getting his palm to it, but it was too well struck.
Shouvik Ghosh - 5.5
Largely wasn't involved in the game at all. Was taken off for a forward in the 63rd minute.
Gustavo Lazzaretti - 6
Was careless in possession, giving the ball away too many times and his passing from out back was wayward. Allowed Succi the space for his well-taken goal.
Didier Zokora - 6.5
Was involved in skirmishes all across the pitch with the opposition players, didn't have much to do after the about the 55th minute with his side on the attack.
Nirmal Chettri - 6
Couldn't get the better of Chennaiyin’s left wing combination of Peluso and Jerry who put a lot of pressure on him.
Rowllin Borges - 6.5
In what was a scrappy game, Borges was not exposed with Chennaiyin defending with men behind the ball and had a decent game.
Romaric - 7.5
The midfield powerhouse led his side's charge after having fallen behind. His powerful bursts from midfield and set piece delivery pressured the opposition defence. Unfortunately for him, the equalizer didn't materialize and he was replaced late on after he looked to have run out of gas.
Katsumi Yusa - 6.5
Had a largely invisible first half in which the game had no flow and tackles ruled the roost. Came into the game in the second half with his side having almost all of the possession, but his end product was below his best.
Nicolas Velez - 4.5
Found himself spaced out of the game with Chennaiyin defending deep and left the game in the first half itself through injury in the 38th minute.
Holicharan Narzary - 6.5
Came very close to scoring as he ran onto a Yusa cutback, but was denied by a superb last-ditch tackle from Jerry. Other than that move, didn't threaten like he has done in the past.
Emiliano Alfaro - 6
Was kept quiet by Chennaiyin’s central defenders and cut a frustrated figure by the end. The tournament's leading goalscorer didn't muster even a single shot on goal as he was completely marked out of the game. Also a little guilty of taking away a header from Passi in the 90th minute who was in a better position to score.
Substitutes
Wellington Priori (sub 38’) - 6
Came on for the injured Velez and kept things ticking along in NorthEast’s midfield.
Sumeet Passi (sub 63’) - 6.5
The tall forward made a real difference after coming on, adding an aerial threat to the Highlanders’ attack. He brought about two quick saves in succession in the 83rd minute; his first header was blocked by Bernard Mendy and his second by Chennaiyin custodian Karanjit Singh. Both efforts were goal bound.
Robert Cullen (sub 78’) - 5
Completely fluffed his shot inside the box when the ball fell to him after a good NorthEast attack and failed to impact the game after coming on.
Chennaiyin FC
Karanjit Singh - 8.5
Kept a second straight clean sheet with a very good showing. Didn't have many efforts on goal to keep out, but was impressive in the way he dealt with the ball in from corners and free-kicks. Barring a few misses in the first half, he was first to almost every ball that he came out for. Made one diving save to keep out Passi.
Jerry Lalrinzuala - 8
The teenager seems to be growing in confidence and backed up his showing against Goa in the last game with another fine performance here. Made a superb last-ditch tackle to deny what would have been a sure-shot goal for Narzary.
Bernard Mendy - 9
Led the team superbly on his return to the starting eleven. Won his personal battle with Alfaro, leaving the NorthEast marksman to feed off crumbs. Made a number of key interceptions, both in the air and on the ground, the best of which was a fantastic tackle to knock the ball away from Alfaro after he had been played through on goal, just as he was about to take the shot.
Eli Sabia - 8
In a game where the defence triumphed, the Brazilian had another impressive game and was part of a Chennaiyin back four that managed to effectively snuff out the threat of Yusa, Narzary and Alfaro.
Mehrajuddin Wadoo - 7
Didn't venture forward as much as he normally does, concentrating more on keeping things tight at the back.
Siam Hanghal - 7.5
After three substitute appearances, the Manipur lad was given a start by coach Marco Materazzi and the Manipur lad did well in the defensive midfield role against his former side. Laid on the assist for the goal.
Raphael Augusto - 6.5
Didn't enjoy too much success and was guilty of holding onto the ball for too long on many an occasion. Did well in pressuring NorthEast when not in possession, putting in the hard yards.
Hans Mulder - 6.5
After his early chance where he put his header high after Peluso’s shot was saved by Paul, the Dutchman didn't have any goalscoring opportunities. Played largely on the counter in the second half as his side sat back and defended their lead. Along with Augusto, ran his legs off in providing defensive cover.
Mauricio Peluso - 7.5
In his first appearance in the ISL, the Italian had a very bright first half, testing the keeper twice and running at the NorthEast defence on the left flank. Faded in the second half.
Baljit Sahni - 6
Perhaps his least impressive game so far this season. Didn't offer anything going forward. Teamed up with Wadoo on the right to lock down that right flank from a defensive standpoint.
Davide Succi - 7.5
The goal was a brilliantly taken effort, amongst the best in the history of the tournament. Outside of the strike, put in another tireless effort, operating all on his own up front.
Substitutes
Dudu Omagbemi (sub 75’) - 4.5
Was largely isolated as Chennaiyin had 10 men behind the ball defending their lead in the final 15 minutes.
Jayesh Rane (sub 87’) - N/A
Came on as a late sub for Sahni.
