ISL 2017/18, Match 86: Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC, Player Ratings

The 86th match of the ISL saw the league leaders Bengaluru FC host fellow southerners Kerala Blasters FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

The two sides played their last fixture of the league stages with contrasting fortunes in the standings. Bengaluru FC has assured the top spot in the table with a total of 37 points from their 17 matches and were on a seven-match unbeaten streak.

Kerala Blasters FC, meanwhile, began on the sixth spot with 25 points from the same number of matches but had their playoff hopes dashed last night when ATK lost to FC Goa.

Bengaluru FC found it tough to break down the organized Kerala defenders for most of the match. The resolute Kerala Blasters defence conceded twice late in the match as Miku and Udanta Singh scored past Paul Rachubka to complete the double over last year's finalists.

Bengaluru FC

Gurpreet Singh (5/10): The Indian No.1 keeper had a quiet match between the sticks as Kerala weren't able to attack the goal much and had very few shots.

Boithang Haokip (6/10): The former Mumbai City FC man played as the right-back for the home side and was a good option on the overlap with his runs. He had to deal with the dynamic Jackichand Singh on his flank. However, he got injured in the second half with a wrist concern after going for an aerial ball into the box and landing awkwardly and was replaced by Udanta Singh.

Rahul Bheke (6/10): The Mumbai-born defender played as a centre-back with Subhashish Bose at his side as Albert Roca rested Johnson and Juanan. He was good in defence as he managed to quell the threat of Baldvinsson.

Subhasish Bose (6/10): The other centre-back for the home side partnered Bheke in a new-look Bengaluru central defence. He did well as he played out from the back and sometimes surged ahead to provide support in the attack as well.

Nishu Kumar (6/10): The young left-back was an active presence on the left flank with his runs into the box and had a great opportunity to score in the first half. He was replaced by the new signing Daniel Segovia before the hour mark as Roca increased the attacking pedigree.

Lenny Rodrigues (5/10): The lanky midfielder played centrally behind the attacking midfielders and did well to distribute the ball around the park.

Dimas Delgado (6/10): The Spaniard played alongside Paartalu in the defensive midfield role and was strong in his tackles in the midfield. He broke up a lot of Kerala plays in the centre and was the setpiece taker for the home side and provided the assist for the second goal by Udanta Singh.

Erik Paartalu (5.5/10): The big man from Australia played just in front of the defence, providing cover with his physicality. He was always a threat from corners and setpieces for the Blues.

Toni Dovale (5/10): The Spanish playmaker was the creative source for the Bengaluru side as he kept looking for the runs of Chhetri and Miku up ahead.

Sunil Chhetri (6.5/10): The Indian captain was confident in attack for the Blues as he played on the left flank and cut into the box with his runs. He was a constant threat on the flank as he kept Rino Anto occupied in the match.

Miku (8/10): The Venezuelan striker was heavily marked throughout the match as he was up against the gritty Jhingan in the box. He kept the Kerala defence alert at all times and was rewarded at the end when he slotted his powerful effort into the left bottom corner beating Rachubka in the 91st minute.

Substitutes

Udanta Singh (6/10): The pacey winger came on to replace the injured Haokip just before the hour mark and was a constant option in the attack on the right wing for the Blues. He got his name on the scoresheet in the added time when he scored from the top of the box to make it 2-0.

Daniel Segovia (5/10): The new signing made an appearance off the bench as Bengaluru increased the attacking threats at the hour mark. He got an assist to his credit when he set up Miku for the first goal.

Alwyn George (N/A): The midfielder came on to replace Chhetri for the final ten minutes of the match.

Kerala Blasters FC

Paul Rachubka was unfortunate to concede two goals at the death (Photo: ISL Media)

Paul Rachubka (5/10): The Kerala keeper had a couple of shots to save in the first half and was brave between the sticks. He was unfortunate to concede twice in the end as Miku and Udanta slotted in the added time of the match.

Rino Anto (6/10): The right-back for the Kerala side was highly active on the right flank with his runs on the flank. He was a stable force in the defence as well, having to deal with the dual threat of Nishu Kumar and Sunil Chhetri on his flank.

Wes Brown (6/10): The Englishman organized the Kerala defence from the back as Bengaluru FC found it tough to break them in the first half. The Kerala defenders managed to hold Bengaluru for the most part of the match but conceded twice late in the match.

Sandesh Jhingan (6/10): The Kerala skipper was up against the deadly Miku and did well to keep the threat of the Venezuelan in check. He won a lot of headers in the box but was unfortunate in the end as the Kerala resolve was broken.

Lalruatthara (6/10): The left-back of the Kerala side was his usual gritty self as he went into tackles with intent and did well to defend his flank.

Arata Izumi (6.5/10) - The former FC Pune City man was given a start by David James and did well in the midfield to not allow Bengaluru FC to take control of the game. He spread the ball around well from the centre with good diagonal balls for his wingers and also helped out in the defence.

Milan Singh (5.5/10): The defensive midfielder played the sweeping role for the away side as he broke up a lot of plays and tough in his tackles.

Deependra Negi (5.5/10): The youngster Negi played behind the strikers in the midfield and was looking for the runs ahead and moved the ball well in attack.

Jackichand Singh (4/10): The Indian international made good runs into the box cutting in from the left flank. He had to be stretchered off the pitch when a groin stretch meant he couldn't continue any further in the match.

CK Vineeth (6/10): The Kerala man played against his former side and was an active force in the attack for the Blasters with his movement around the box.

Gudjon Baldvinsson (6.5/10): The Icelandic striker was the target man for Kerala ahead in attack and did well to keep the Bengaluru defence on their toes. He had a couple of shots at the Bengaluru goal but did not manage to keep any of them on target in the first half.

Substitutes

Prasanth K (5/10) - The youngster came on to replace Jackichand Singh on the left flank in the first half after Singh's groin injury. He was a burst of energy for Kerala as he

Sahal Samad (4/10) - The young midfielder came on to replace Arata for the final five minutes of the game as Kerala looked for the goal.