Super Cup 2018, Qualifier 1: Delhi Dynamos FC vs Churchill Brothers, Player Ratings

Delhi Dynamos FC played their usual possession game
Delhi Dynamos FC played their usual possession game

Super Cup 2018 action officially kick-started as the first round of qualifiers got underway at the Kalinga Sports Complex in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha with Delhi Dynamos FC taking on Churchill Brothers.

The two sides had a poor season this time around as Churchill Brothers were relegated from the I-League.

Delhi Dynamos FC finished the league on a strong note but could only manage the eight spot in the standings, thus having to play in the qualifiers instead of the main draw.

The match marked a historic occasion as it was the first time when an ISL and an I-League team clashed in an official competition in Indian football.

Delhi Dynamos grabbed the early lead in the match when Kalu Uche scored a stunning goal from outside the box.

Delhi dominated proceedings for most of the first half but Churchill did well to recover and got back in the match through a Plaza goal.

The match ended 1-1 at the end of regulation time as the two sides put on an exciting display in the second half producing changes at both ends.

Willis Plaza proved to be the match-winner for the Goan side as his strike in the second half of the extra time put them through to the main draw of the Super Cup.


Delhi Dynamos FC

Xabier Irureta (6/10) - The Delhi keeper had a comfortable start in the match as Delhi established control but slowly Churchill got back as he conceded a goal scored by Willis Plaza.

Pritam Kotal (6.5/10) - The Delhi right-back was highly active in the attack as he made a lot of overlapping runs on the flank.

He combined well with Romeo Fernandes ahead of him as they produced a lot of attacks.

Edu Moya (6.5/10) - The central defender was solid in the backline as Delhi were strong on the ball.

He did not allow Ceesay free reign in the attack and marked him closely throughout the match.

Mohammed Dhot (6/10) - The young Indian centre-back was also comfortable in possession as Delhi played out the ball from the back.

He had the tough task of marking the dangerous Willis Plaza on his side.

Munmun Lugun (6.5/10) - The former Mumbai FC left-back made a lot of runs up and down the flank as he provided good support, both in attack and defence for Delhi.

He put in good crosses into the box making some overlapping runs when on the attack.

Matias Mirabje (7/10) - The Delhi Dynamos' playmaker was all over the pitch as he controlled the flow of play for the ISL side.

He took on the Churchill players when Delhi attacked and put in great balls into the attack using his ball distribution skills well.

Paulinho Dias (6.5/10) - The midfielder played a deep role today, sometimes appearing as a third central defender for the Dynamos.

He was strong on the ball and started the play from the back and made many crucial interceptions.

Nandhakumar Sekar (7/10) - Sekar played on the left wing for Delhi and was his usual formidable self-giving a tough time to the Churchill defenders as he cut inside from the left flank. He provided the assist for the Kalu Uche goal early on in the first half.

Romeo Fernandes (6/10) - The former Dempo was a constant threat on the right flank as he made a lot of attacking runs into the box.

He put in good crosses for Uche to attack inside the box. He was replaced by Seityasen Singh at the start of the second half.

Lallianzuala Chhangte (5.5/10) - The usually threatening Chhangte was kept in check by the Churchill defenders today as he had an off-day today on the pitch.

Kalu Uche (7/10) - The Delhi skipper opened the scoring for the Dynamos when he scored from outside the box into the left top corner past the Churchill keeper.

He was kept quiet in the second half by the Churchill defence and had just a couple of efforts on the Churchill goal.

Substitutes:

Seityasen Singh (5.5/10) - The midfielder came on to replace Romeo Fernandes at the start of the second half of the match.

He did well on the right flank proving a good option in the attack for the Dynamos.

Vinit Rai (4.5/10) - The Indian defensive midfielder replaced Mirabaje in the midfield as Delhi Dynamos coach Miguel Portugal put on some cover as Churchill looked threatening on the counter.

David Ngaihte (4/10) - The midfielder came on to replace Chhangte towards the end of the match as Delhi coach added attacking arsenal to the side.

Churchill Brothers

Churchill Brothers
Churchill Brothers recovered well from the early setback in the match

Ricardo Cordozo (6/10) - The Churchill custodian's match began on a poor note as he conceded an early goal from Kalu Uche in the sixth minute.

He recovered well and made a lot of saves as Delhi continued to attack the Delhi goal with intent.

Jovel Martins (5.5/10) - The Goan right-back had a busy outing today as he had to deal with the dual threat of the dynamic Nandhakumar Sekar and Munmun Lugun on his flank.

Denechandram Meitei (5/10) - The left-back for the Goans had a tough first half as he struggled to deal with the threatening Delhi attackers on his flank.

He was replaced at the start of the second half by Israil Gurung.

Hussein Eldor (6.5/10) - The defender from Lebanon played a competent partner in the backline to Monday as they dealt with the incessant Delhi attacks at the back.

He was strong in the air and made crucial clearances for Churchill Brothers.

Osagie Monday (7/10) - The Nigerian central defender had the tough task of containing Uche and did well gradually into the match after the early strike by his fellow countryman. Monday used his physical presence well to make it tough for the Delhi attackers.

Bektur Talgat (6/10) - The defensive midfielder was made to work hard in the centre of the park as Delhi passed the ball well in the midfield.

He played the first line of defence for the Goan side and put in an industrious shift today.

Nicholas Fernandes (7/10) - The dynamic winger on the left flank was a bright spark in the Churchill midfield as he used his pace well to make good runs. His cross led to the equalizing goal by Willis Plaza.

Richard Costa (6/10) - The midfielder played centrally behind the attackers and had a tough time maintaining possession as Delhi controlled much of the ball in the first half.

He had a better second half showing as he moved the ball well helping the Churchill side on the counter.

Britto PM (6/10) - The pacey Goan winger played on the right wing and was always an option for the Churchill side on the flank as he made threatening runs.

He utilized his pace well as Churchill attacked on the counter.

Dawda Ceesay (7/10) - The Gambian midfielder played as the No.10 behind Plaza today and was good on the ball as he took on the Delhi defenders.

He was strong whenever in possession and used his physicality well to hold off the Dynamos defenders.

Willis Plaza (8.5/10) - The former East Bengal striker got his first goal for the Goan side when he equalized in the 35th minute with a solid striker's goal inside the box.

He was a constant threat for the Delhi defenders as he made life difficult for the Delhi defenders.

He proved to be the match-winner for the Goan side when he scored at the start of the second half of extra time.

Substitutes:

Israil Gurung (5/10) - The youngster came on to replace Denechandram Meitei in the defence at the start of the second half.

Onyeama Francis (4/10) - The striker was put on for the final five minutes of the match by Albert Fernandes made an attacking change.

Uttam Rai (3/10) - The striker came on to replace Nicholas Fernandes towards the end of the first half of the extra time as the latter cramped up a couple of times.

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