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FC Goa started their campaign this year with a convincing 2-0 win against a spirited Delhi Dynamos team in Goa today.
Zico’s boys were extremely wdisciplined and organized throughout the game. Although the Delhi team had the lion’s share of ball possession, the Goan outfit were clinical in front of goal
The first goal was a beautiful well worked move, which required only four passes to open up the Delhi defence. Mandar Rao Desai touched the final ball, although it was adjudged as Souvik Chakroborty’s own goal. The second Goal was a similar opportunistic strike from a powerful free kick from Jofre, which was converted by Reinaldo from close range.
Delhi dominated the rest of the match with two shots hitting the bar and a number of saves made by the FC Goa keeper Andrade. Here are the player ratings for today’s match.
FC Goa
Elinton Andrade-7/10
The 36-year old Brazilian keeper was brilliant between the sticks. He made a number of crucial saves all throughout the game. Along with a calm head, he was echnically very strong. Andrade played with a lot of confidence taking the pressure off the team’s defensive line.
Lucio- 6/10
One of the most consistent defenders of all time, Lucio brings in a lot of experience into the Goan team. However, he was beaten by the raw pace of young Ghanian striker Richard Gadze, a number of times in the first half. In the second half also he had to play his heart out to stop the young attacking trio of Dos Santos, Andre and Adil Nabi. But he used all his experience efficiently to lead the young lads of the team, a true leader indeed.
Gregory Arnolin- 7/10
Arnolin was superb in the center back position for the team with a stern defensive display. He had to cover up a lot of open spaces left out by Lucio especially in the first half. In the second half he was more aggressive. He tried a spectacular overhead kick from a corner kick right before the end of the game, unfortunately which he couldn’t connect.
Kenan Almeida- 6/10
The young Goan was instrumental for Sporting Club de Goa in the I-League last year. His performance was satisfactory today supporting the central defender from the left. But he was a little subdued compared to right back Debabrata Roy. This is the reason why the left side of the Goan team was very dull throughout the match.
Debabrata Roy- 7/10
Roy was one of the standout performers for FC Goa today. He used his pace to run up and down endlessly. Along with this he marked the dangerous Malouda effectively in the game. He was a very bright prospect last year and he was surely able to replicate that same performance in today’s match.
Denson Devdas- 6.5/10
Devdas has been very inconsistent throughout his career. His brilliant performances were followed by very poor ones, during his time at Mohun Bagan. But this time, we saw a rejuvenated and an evolved Denson Devdas. He was given the pivotal role as the only defensive pivot, a link between the defense and the midfield of the team. He did very well; destroying Delhi’s attacking moves.
Jofre- 7.5/10
The Spanish midfielder won a free-kick just outside the box by neatly beating Vinicius by a beautiful step over. His powerful free-kick was parried home by Reinaldo just before the half time. Other than that he played neat football with a more defensive play covering the space in front of the defensive. He held the ball calmly and distributed precise long balls for the strikers. One of the top performers of the match, he was substituted in the injury time at the dying minutes of the match.
Leo Moura- 7/10
Leo Moura participated in the goal scoring move of the team, when he played a neat one two with Reinaldo before passing it down the flank for Romeo Fernandez. Romeo crossed the ball into the box for Mandar Rao Desai, who made no mistake in finishing the move. Other than this Moura was good, playing in a more offensive role. His ball distribution was very strong providing a link between the defensive midfielders and the wingers.
Mandar Rao Desai- 8.5/10
It was good to see the young Goan playing with so much zest and caliber against internationally acclaimed players. Other than touching the ball into the goal (although it was adjudged as an own goal), he was all over the park. Dribbling past players like Riise and Carlos, he combined excellently with another stand out performer Romeo Fernandez to ensure the victory for the side. One of the player to watch out for in the future. He was rightly given the Man of the Match award.
Romeo Fernandez- 7.5/10
Another standout performer, he showed why he was signed by the first division Brazilian club last year. With soft touches and small inside outside dodges, he tore apart the Dynamos defense in the first half. His runs down the right flank were difficult to stop, although he had to play more defensively in the following half.
Reinaldo- 7/10
He was the lone striker for the team with Zico opting for a 4-1-4-1 formation, which gradually changed to 4-5-1 in the second half. Reinaldo held his ground scoring an opportunist goal in the first half which ensured the team’s victory. He formed a good partnership with fellow Brazilian Leo Moura in the middle of the park.
Subs-
Jonatan- 5/10
His powerful shot was saved by a flying Sanjiban Ghosh during the last minutes of the match. He came on in the 83rd minute and hardly could hardly get a touch on the ball.
Luciano Sabrosa- 5/10
The experienced Brazilian defender made one mistake in the three minutes, when he gifted a free kick a few yards outside the box. Roberto Carlos’s almost scored with the free kick.
C. Sabeeth
He came on in the 87th minute and did not get a chance to touch the ball, since the whole Goan team was back defending .
Delhi Dynamos
Sanjiban Ghosh- 7/10
When Subhasish Roy Chowdhury had to be replaced, a lot of eyebrows were raised on the selection of young Sanjiban Ghosh, instead of experienced Abhijit Mondal. Frankly, he is not as technically strong as Mondal neither does he has played much for the Mumbai FC’s first team. At such a big stage like the ISL, he hardly had time to settle down. But today he played surprisingly well, making a number of super saves especially the one from substitute Jonatan. He flew on to save a swerving powerful shot from 36 yards. With more time he is will improve more as a player.
Chicao- 6/10
The 34-year old Brazilian took time to adjust. He was partly responsible for the first goal, due to his positioning. He was nowhere near Mandar Rao, so Souvik had to come in to cover him, which eventually led to the goal. He made amends with powerful runs in the midfield, throughout the match before he was fatigued and had to be replaced.
Anwar Ali- 5/10
Anwar was one of the poor performers of today’s match. He was nowhere to be seen throughout the game, especially when the goals were scored. He should have covered his position, which was exploited by Desai. It looks as if he needs more time to get fully fit.
John Arne Riise- 6.5/10
He is gifted with the deadliest left foot, scoring a number of scorchers for Liverpool throughout his career. The most capped Norwegian is 35 now, not that same left back anymore. He does not have that burst of speed anymore, but age can never take over class. We saw pure magic when he swerved one shot effortlessly on to the bar while the FC Goa keeper was stranded at one spot.
Souvik Chakroborty- 5.5/10
The first goal of the game was adjudged as his own goal after he touched the ball right after Desai shot it. Although it was not his duty to mark Desai, at that point, he tried his best to cover him. Other than this he was average and should have taken more initiative to mobilize the Dynamos defense especially across the flanks. Right back being not a position he plays in generally, it would be harsh to make him responsible for the goals conceded by the Delhi side.
Vinicius Ferreria- 4.5/10
The worst performer of today’s game, he was the main reason behind FC Goa’s second goal. He could not handle Jofre who was fouled by him right outside the box after dodging him effortlessly. He was nowhere to be seen, during the first goal even deserting his designated defensive position. He was finally substituted by Dos Santos right after half time.
Zodingliana Ralte- 6/10
The young Mizo footballer is the youngest player from today’s match. Aged 20, he is physically strong winning the ball against the opponents with sheer strength. He was very active throughout the game playing in the attacking half more of the time since there was hardly any constructive move by the Goan team throughout the second half.
Hans Mulder- 6.5/10
Last year’s stand out performer was one of the few players who was retained by the Dynamos team management this player. Playing in a new position, he was impressive. He started the match as the only defensive pivot, but gradually he moved up as an attacking midfielder. He failed to score although coming tantalizingly close with a power shot in the first half. He was substituted right after, the first half by Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos.
Florent Malouda- 8/10
The Ex- Chelsea man was instrumental in today’s game for the Delhi side. Even at an age of 35, he surely looks to be the catch of the season for the Delhi side. His header hit the post in the second half. Just like Elano in yesterday’s game, the Frenchman took the whole responsibility of the team on his shoulder creating a number of chances for the team. Unfortunately the defensive wall of the Goa team was too much for him to break today.
Shylo Malsawamtulunga- 7/10
He is one of the very few players from the Asean Cup winning East Bengal side who still plays regular first team football for the club. He was given a start in the right wing of the team and he surely did not disappoint the coach. He was very lively during the game cutting inside the Goan defense number of times, although not being able to convert the chances into goals.
Richard Gadze- 7.5/10
The young prodigy from Ghana is tipped to be a very promising player in the tournament. He showed why he has been so highly rated by the pundits. He made a number of positive runs, won a number of headers, he was able to beat Lucio many times with his speed and made a lot of shots on target which were saved by the Brazilian keeper. He had to be fouled in order to snatch the ball. With proper support from Adil Nabi and Dos Santos earlier in the match could have made a huge difference in today’s match result.
Subs
Roberto Carlos- 7/10
The Brazilian maestro might have not made a significant contribution in today’s game but he showed sheer magic touches which the Indian crowd was expecting to see from him. He almost scored a goal from a free kick when he surprised everyone with a low grounder which almost crept in under the legs of Andrade. He played in the central defensive role while he also came forward in the dying minutes of the match.
Gustavo dos Santos- 6.5/10
He played well after coming on, in the 46th minute of the match. He made a good combination up front with Gadze and Nabi although he failed to score. He played with a lot of confidence. It would be a surprise if he doesn’t start in the future games of the Delhi side. He was provoked by Arnolin and he lost his cool leading to a yellow card. This is one thing that he has to work on.
Adil Nabi- 6.5/10
The depth of the Delhi Dynamos side is so much that a player with the caliber of Nabi had to sit out the entire first half. West Brom’s youth side’s top goal scorer last year showed everyone bits of his class when he tried to form a partnership with Gadtze upfront. However he should have been brought on earlier especially, when Malouda was tired early in the second half. The Pakistani origin player from the English Premier League side can be really influential if utilized properly.
