ATK Mohun Bagan went into their first technical home game at Fatorda knowing a win over Odisha FC will catapult them to the top of the league. In what was a cagey affair with both sides unwilling to let their opposition score, Krishna once again turned saviour for the Mariners as his stoppage-time header beat Kamjit in goal.
While both sides failed to break down to very solid defences, goal-scoring chances created were few and far between. While ATK Mohun Bagan continued their perfect start to ISL 7 as they notched up all 9 points from the 9 available in the first 3 games and are the only team in the league to yet to let in a goal. While the lack of creativity will worry Habas, Baxter just might have laid down the groundwork for the managers on how to break down ATK Mohun Bagan.
Let’s take a look as to how the players fared in our ratings:
ATK Mohun Bagan
Arindam Bhattacharya: 7
While the Mohun Bagan custodian now has 3 clean sheets from 3 games, he only had to make only one decent save from a Cole Alexander swivelling shot.
Pritam Kotal: 7
The Mariners captain had yet another decent game providing solidarity to Habas’ 3 man defence.
Sandesh Jhingan: 7.5
Sandesh was once again a dominant presence in ATK Mohun Bagan’s defence, barring a couple of ill decisions and mistimed tackle. He was at the end of Tiri’s ball into the box which he laid perfectly on a plate for Krishna to head home.
Tiri : 7.5
Tiri did get booked early into the first half for a rash tackle on Marcelinho, barring that the Spaniard was once again impenetrable.
Prabir Das: 7
Prabir had a decent game, in a game where both sides struggled to create anything substantial, Prabir too had very quiet game.
Carl McHugh: 7.5
Mchugh was once again instrumental in breaking up Odisha’s play and most of Mohun Bagan’s foray forward went through the Irishman.
Javi Hernandez: 7.5
With Edu Garcia missing out, added responsibilities have been trusted on Javi Hernandez and after his displays in the Derby, expectations were high. He did have a decent outing but the Mariners will expect more.
Jayesh Rane : 6.5
Jayesh had yet another disappointing game, losing possession on far too many occasions. Habas will have to look at an alternative if he doesn’t comes good soon.
Subhasish Bose: 7
Subhasish had a decent playing along the left-wing. Sound defensive performance, a lot is yet expected from his crosses into the box while attacking.
Manvir Singh : 6.5
Manvir got his first ISL this season in the Derby and Habas rewarded him with a place in the starting lineup. Manvir failed to impress on his first start for his new side.
Roy Krishna : 8
Roy Krishna is paid the big bucks to score goals and he has scored in every game he has played this season. Darting runs into the box, out jumping defenders to win headers, Mohun Bagan’s talisman was everywhere and managed to grab the goal that got his side all 3 points.
Substitutes:
Brad Inman: 7
Sk. Sahil: 6.5
Glan Martins: 7
Odisha FC
Kamaljit Singh: 7
Kamaljit had very little to do in goal as his defenders were impeccable around him but if he could have managed to save Krishna’s header in the 95th minute the Juggernauts would come out with a well-earned point
Shubham Sarangi : 7.5
Shubham had a great game down the right flank, overlapping and causing mayhem in ATK Mohun Bagan’s ranks while performing his defensive duties down to the T.
Steven Taylor : 8
The former Newcastle United star and Roy Krishna’s teammate in Wellington didn’t let his former teammate out of sight for most of the game. He was solid defensively and would be upset that his side couldn’t take point home.
Jacob Tratt : 7.5
The Aussie probably had the easiest chance in the game but his headed effort was just a few meters away from Arindam’s goal. Tratt too had a good game in the heart of the defence and his partnership with Taylor will give hope to Baxter as well as Odisha fans.
Hendry Antonay : 7.5
The young Indian defender was impressive with his pressing and positioning and his hard-hitting tackles were perfect and vicious at the same time.
Cole Alexander: 7.5
The former Bafana Bafana International orchestrated most of Odisha forays into the Mariners half. His shot from distance caused problems for Arindam but was parried away to safety.
Gaurav Bora : 7
Bora who was part of the double pivot in central midfield played mostly as a holding midfielder, played a good enough part in breaking up ATK Mohun Bagan’s forward movement.
Premjit Singh : 7.5
Premjit along with Shubham down the right formed a formidable partnership which did cause a headache for Tiri and Sandesh and his movement with the ball at his feet did turn a few heads.
Marcelinho : 7
The charismatic ISL veteran midfielder took the field after taking painkillers and struggled to find a foothold through the first half and had to taken off early into the second.
Nandha Kumar : 7.5
While Nandha had a very good game his would be upset that he was unable to mark Sandesh in the dying minutes of the game and that cost his side the points. He will take heart from the fact that going forward he was a real thorn along with Premjit to the Mariners defence.
Diego Mauricio : 7
Mauricio took the ISL by storm when he came off the bench to score a brace and secure a 2-2 draw against Jamshedpur, his second strike likely to be a contender for the goal of the tournament. He was given a start tonight but was kept quiet for most of the game by Tiri and Sandesh.
Substitues:
Samuel Lalmuanpuia: 6.5
Manuel Onwu: 6.5
Follow IFTWC for all the latest updates on Indian Football and download our from playstore.