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East Bengal hosted Gokulam Kerala FC in their last home game of the calendar year, with a win ensuring the Red and Gold brigade go top of the table. Gokulam, on the other hand, were looking to get a point at least that would help them to get their journey towards the top half of the table on the way.
A Md. Rafique classic volley from 22 yards out, gave East Bengal the lead just before Halftime which completely changed the complexion of the game.
The second half started with Gokulam playing a very physical brand of football as boots were raised and elbows flew around, due to which Gokulam were reduced to 10 men after Rohit Mirza kicked Katsumi Yusa from behind with no intention of going for the ball.
The game ended 1-0 in favour of East Bengal and with that win, the Red and Gold Brigade went up to the first spot of the league.On that note, we take a look at the player ratings from game.
East Bengal
Luis Barreto (7/10): Barreto was called into action a couple of times in the first half, and he did look up to the task to stop Gokulam’s advances towards his goal.
Prakash Sarkar (7/10): Prakash was on the pitch for the longest duration in his short I-League career. He also seems to grow in stature with every passing game as he adjusts to his position as a right back.
Eduardo (7.5/10): Eduardo was brilliant in keeping Bayi Kamo and Francis quiet as he made some crucial last-ditch tackles to stop Bayi and Francis from taking a proper shot on target.
Arnab Mondal (7/10): After a long time Arnab was seen in his usual calm cool stature as he kept the likes of Bayi and Francis away from the East Bengal box. His anticipation was really good today as he cut off a lot passes in the final third for Kerala.
Salam Ranjan Singh (7/10): We have seen Salam play as a centre back, right back and now left back. With every passing game, Salam Ranjan is proving his case as an astute left back to. His transition from attack to defence was brilliant.
Katsumi Yusa (6/10): Katsumi limped off with an injury, as he couldn’t perform to level that is expected from him. Specially his set pieces today were of really poor quality, and his runs were also not very effective.
Al-Amna (6.5/10): A lot was being said about East Bengal play lacklustre football in the first half and a lot of that was due to the fact that their main man in midfield Al Amna was a shade below his self during the game.
Rafique (8.5/10): Rafique played the role of a Regista and was successful up to a certain extent. He kept taking long shots right from the onset, and he was finally rewarded in the 43rd minute when his 22-yard volley landed right into the back of the net.
Laldanmawia Ralte (6.5/10): Danmawia has been East Bengal's go-to man for goals this season, but he had an average game today, as he was poor in the attacking third.
Charles De Souza (6.5/10): Charles played in an unusual position as the man right behind the striker. He did a good job of helping the midfield and was often seen dropping deep and helping the defence and also put in some good ball-winning tackles.
Wills Plaza (5.5/10): Plaza was mostly kept quiet by the likes of Addo and Chigozie. He did have a few runs at the Gokulam defence but was mostly unsuccessful.
Gokulam Kerala FC
Bilal Hussein (5.5/10): Bilal did make two good saves one from Charles and another from Plaza, but his positioning was poor.
Emmanuel Chigozie (7/10): Chigozie did a good job to keep the East Bengal attackers at bay especially after they were reduced to 10 men.
Daniel Addo (7/10): Addo was brilliant in the first half, and he kept Plaza quiet for most parts of the first half. He also helped Gokulam win a lot loose balls.
Provat Lakra (6/10): The Gokulam right back worked really hard to keep the likes of Katsumi quiet but wasn’t very effective. It was actually Salam Ranjan who troubled him the most.
Santu Singh (7/10): Santu was probably one of the best defenders on the pitch. He was the main reason why Danmawia had such a quiet game.
Md. Rashid (5.5/10): Even though the Kerala midfielders had a bright start to the game, Rashid was guilty of gifting away possession to East Bengal on multiple occasions.
Arun Jayaraj (6/10): Arun did a good job to cover a lot of ground in the midfield and his distribution was also quite good. He also did a good job to keep a tight check on Amna
Khaidem Meitei (6/10): Meitei did a good job of running down the left wing for Gokulam. He was one of those players who ventured forward at every chance he got, but his link up and final delivery into the box was left wanting.
Rohit Mirza (4.5/10): Rohit Mirza was rightly sent off as he blatantly kicked Katsumi Yusa from behind, a tackle which could have ended a player’s career, had he connected it an inch lower. Before being sent off though Mirza was lively down the right wing for Gokulam and his sending off came as a big blow given he was one of the better players in the Gokulam side.
Bayi Kamo Stephane (6.5/10): Bayi, before being subbed off, had a good game, as he troubled the East Bengal defence with his touches and turns and also tested Barreto with some good snapshots. Bayi passing and movement was something that kept the East Bengal defenders on their heels.
Francis Idriss (6.5/10): Francis was unlucky to not score from the freekick which hit the bar. Francis was also really good with his passes and set-piece delivery. The one thing that Francis needs to work on is his movement.
