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A top of the table clash featured Chennaiyin FC ad Atletico de Kolkata, as both teams gathered in Chennai to cross swords. A win for either side, would take them top of the league and away from the rest of the pack. While Chennaiyin featured a full strength squad, Atletico de Kolkata missed Fikru and coach Antonio Habas.
Here is at how each player fared, in a game built around tense airs.
Chennaiyin FC
Shilton Paul: 0/10 (Flop of the Match)
A tackle on the charging Mohammed Rafi was probably the end of Shilton’s match, as the referee dished out a Red Card in the 35th minute. A disappointing performance by the veteran goalkeeper also led Chennaiyin to play with a man down for the rest of the game.
Gourmangi Singh: 6/10
A rock solid defender as always Gourmangi Singh, rarely committed himself to unwanted challenges and often cleared the ball safely. Delivering a stellar performance, Singh starred in a resolute Chennaiyin defense.
Mikael Silvestre: 7/10
Deployed alongside Gourmangi Singh, Silvestre proved to be Chennaiyin’s anchor in this match. The Frenchman used all his technique and game reading abilities to successfully nullify the Kolkata attack.
Bernard Mendy: 8/10
Operating in the right back position, Bernard Mendy as always performed superbly. The 33 year old, marshaled the right wing and often bombarded forward with his eye catchy runs. Mendy, regularly proved to be the standout defender in Chennaiyin’s solid defense.
Dhanachandra Singh: 6/10
‘Dhana’ as he is called had an average outing. He rarely mistimed his tackles and often played to the tune of Gourmangi and Silvestre.Although, he rarely bombarded forward, Dhana left reasonable gaps of Atletico’s attack to capitalize on.
Marco Materazzi: 6/10
Chennaiyin’s coach cum player, Marco Materazzi played as a defensive midfielder and often provided enough covering to his side’s defense. The Inter Milan legend, regularly broke Kolkata’s play and one touch passes.
Harmanjot Khabra: 8/10
Awarded “ISL Emerging Player’ for his performance in this match, Harmanjot Khabra lived up to his reputation of a box to box midfielder. Khabra, excellently traced back Atletico players and covered ground with his tireless running of the ball.
Denson Devadas: 6/10
Devadas played his part in a three men midfield which was reverted to four, with an aim to provide covering for the defense. Devadas often did the dirty part of the game, and man marked Atletico de Kolkata players.
Elano: 8/10
Although the Brazilian missed his regular penchant of converting free kicks, he fulfilled its deficit with a well converted penalty kick deep into injury time. Slotted way past the Atletico goalkeeper, Elano not only equalized for a Chennaiyin side playing with a man down, but also earned his team a hard fought draw,
Valencia Mendoza: 9/10
Proving to be a livewire, Medoza threatened the Atletico defense with his pace and trickery. The Colombian regularly tested Atletico’s defense with his barging runs and it was his move that earned Chennaiyin a penalty.
Jean Maurice: 7/10
Striker partner to Mendoza, Maurice impressed with his regular hard work off the ball. He constantly pressed the Atletico defense forcing them to commit errors, while bagging free kicks.
Subs:
Gennaro Bracigliano: 6/10
Replacing Shilton Paul in the 35th minute, Bracigliano delivered a decent shift for Chennaiyin FC and often proved to be a safe pair of hands.
Jeje: 6.5/10
Although Jeje was brought on as an attacking change, the Mohun Bagan man rarely initiated attacks for a side already lacking an equaliser. However, Jeje tracked back and did all the defensive aspects of the game.
Balwant Singh : 6/10
Brought on late in the game, Balwant Singh did not have time to prove his goal scoring prowess and abilities.
Atletico de Kolkata
Edel: 7/10
Edel slotted in superbly between the sticks. He stood strong between Chennaiyin FC and the the goal, as the hosts regularly threatened Atletico de Kolkata.
Kingshuk Debnath: 5.5/10
Filling in for Denzil Franco, Debnath had a nightmare of a performance. The Mohun Bagan man was guilty of a mistimed tackle on Valencia Mendoza in the 18 yard box, which was awarded a penalty deep into injury time. Caught napping at his side of the flank, Debnath was often dragged out of position vacating space for the opposition’s forwards.
Arnab Mondal: 6/10
Although, Arnab Mondal is one of the best defenders in the Super League, the 25year old like his compatriot Josemi, had an off day. Still, the East Bengal man, kept Mendoza’s striker partner Maurice quiet for the better part of the game.
Josemi: 7.5/10
Although Mendoza proved handful for Josemi, the 34 year old used all his skill and acumen to stop the mesmerizing Colombian, from having a decent sniff at goal. Often covering for Arnab Mondal’s errors, Josemi had an off game as per his high standards, but played as a solid defensive pillar that he is.
Biswajit Saha: 7/10
The dependable Biswajit Saha dished out an average performance, yet again. Saha, often commanded his region of the wing, but rarely went provided support attackingly.
Ofentse Nato: 7.5/10
As always Nato delivered a solid anchor-like performance for the Atletico de Kolkata midfield. Keeping a check on the bombarding Mendoza or Maurice, Nato fared brilliantly in the defensive aspect of the game, while carrying and passing balls around superbly.
Borja: 6.5/10
Apart from a long range spectacular, which was saved superbly by Chennaiyin’s substitute goalkeeper, Borja did nothing ‘special’. The Spanish International found it difficult to break the midfield pairing of Chennai and often succumbed to pressure, giving balls away easily.
Luis Garcia: 9/10 ( Man of the Match)
Luis Garcia once again proved to be the talisman that he is for the Atletico de Kolkata side. The former Liverpool man regularly governed play, and controlled the tempo of the game, whilst releasing either Rafi or Sahni towards goal.
Jofre: 5/10
Apart from a disappointing performance, Jofre also gained a second yellow card which resulted in a red. Failing miserably to develop his strong foot in the match, Jofre was often left frustrated in majority of the game.
Baljit Sahni: 6/10
Although Baljit Sahni is known for his aggressive performances, the 27 year old showcased a rare view of his true capabilities. Baljit, failed to fire through a Chennaiyin FC side playing already, with a man down. Acting often as a mediator between passes, he jotted one-two with Garcia to his fullest.
Mohammed Rafi: 5.5/10
Perhaps replacing the mesmerizing Fikru was too much of a task for Rafi. Apart from an earned penalty, Rafi did nothing impressive in his limited game time, and often miscued chances.
Subs:
Sanju Pradhan: 6/10
Sanju Pradhan came is surprisingly for striker Mohammed Rafi. Introduced as a defensive change, Sanju rarely burst forward and stood his defensive ground quite nicely.
Arnal Lilbert: 5/10
Replacing marquee player Luis Garcia, Arnal Lilbert once again failed to impress fans and critics alike, with his performance. Lilbert, was often caught napping and rarely produced an inch perfect through ball
Rakesh Masih: N/A
Masih, came on around the 90minute marker and did not have enough time to justify his abilities.
