It’s another abysmal outcome for the hosts Chennaiyin FC in this year’s Indian Super League as they shared the spoils against the Bottom Rung Odisha FC in a goalless encounter at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim, Goa.
The Juggernauts recently ignited their engines and tasted their first victory of the campaign. They came into the match with their winning momentum which later turned out to be a tough hurdle for the Marina Machans.
The Men in Blue began brightly and had the golden opportunity in the second minute of the game but their Indian Striker Rahim Ali spilled out the goal-scoring chance in a one versus one encounter with the Goal Keeper.
Chennai dominated the majority of the game and constantly tested Arshdeep Singh. They fired the shots twice on target but still couldn’t wrap up the game with a win. On the Other side, Odisha did not trouble Vishal Kaith much but they eventually scored a goal in the 42nd minute of the game which was ruled out due to an offside. Besides that, it was not a great outing for Baxter’s side.
Let us now analyse the performance of each player:
Chennaiyin FC
Vishal Kaith – 7.5
The Chennaiyin goalie was clinical near the post and ensured the 4th clean sheet of the season. He played a crucial part in their team’s counter-attacking play and created two marvellous goal scoring chances for the Men in Blue.
Reagan Singh – 7
The Right Full back yet again produced a decent performance in the field. He provided a good delivery for Sylvestr to score in the final seconds of the first half which was later denied by the Odisha Goal Keeper.
Eli Sabia – 7
Chennaiyin FC skipper kept his composure and led the defence from the front. Sabia could have scored his first goal of this season but he misplaced the header in the 17th minute of the game.
Enes Sipovic – 7.5
The Big Bosnian is undoubtedly the best foreign pick for Chennai. He was rock solid at the back; won multiple air duels and cleared important deliveries inside the box
Jerry Lalrinzuala – 8
The 22-year-old Left Back from Mizoram produced a scintillating display in the field. He partnered well with Chhangte and kept the left flank busy. Jerry was so lethal in attack and also supported the defence well.
Memo Moura – 7
The Brazilian Midfielder was so instrumental in the middle and he was the main reason for his team’s dominance in possession. Memo came close to score a goal from header but was prevented by the keeper.
Anirudh Thapa – 6.5
The work rate of the wonder kid has drastically reduced since his injury. Thapa displayed a meagre performance and his passing accuracy was very poor in this game. This type of average performance is not expected from a player of his calibre.
Fatkhullo Fatkhulloev – 7.5
The Tajikistan Winger dominated the play in the right flank with his dribbling. He took the corner kicks and did well in the absence of Crivellaro. Fatkhullo switched wings with Chhangte and partnered well with Rahim Ali at the top.
Jakub Sylvestr – 6.5
The Slovakian took a new role in this match to fill the shoes of Crivellaro as the Attacking Midfielder and failed miserably. He just had a single attempt at the goal post which was saved by the Goalie. Jakub was later replaced in the 68th minute
Lallianzuala Chhangte – 8
The Mizo Flash was presented with the Hero of the Match award for his electric display in the field. Chhangte constantly gave threats for Odisha defenders but still couldn’t find the back of the net.
Rahim Ali – 6.5
The Bengal Striker had numerous opportunities to score his 3rd goal of the season but he failed to convert those chances. Ali fired the ball on target during the stoppage time in the first half but was denied by the keeper. He later hit the woodworks and missed the easy chance in the 71st minute.
Substitutes:
Esmael Goncalves – 6.5
Goncalves replaced Jakub Sylvestr in the 68th minute and didn’t make any difference in the game. He looked weary and lost the ball on numerous occasions.
Edwin Sydney Vanspaul – 6.5
Edwin had a dream ISL debut last year and he was Chennai’s local find of the season. But he got lost in the shuffle since the arrival of the new coach and hasn’t been used quite effectively. This match is not an exception as he replaced Fatkhullo in the 76th minute.
Odisha FC
Arshdeep Singh – 8
The Odisha custodian was clearly the game changer of the match and protected Odisha from Chennaiyin strikes. Arshdeep was very difficult to penetrate and he denied Ali, Sylvestr and Memo on multiple occasions.
Jacob Tratt – 7.5
Rechristening Jacob Tratt as a Right Full Back is the best decision that Odisha has taken lately. The move had worked in the last match and did not disappoint this time too. The 26-year-old Australian defender proved much effective against the likes of Chhangte and Jerry.
Steven Taylor – 7
The Premier League veteran once again made clever defensive works at the back to ensure a clean sheet. He made some important interceptions and tackles in this game.
Gaurav Bora – 8
Bora was the standout performer in the Odisha backline. He saved the team on many occasions; made some crucial interceptions and tackles in the box.
Hendry Antonay – 6.5
The former Chennaiyin defender was the weak link in the Odisha defence and was simply outplayed by Fatkhullo. Hendry displayed an average show and didn’t trouble the opponents much.
Jerry Mawihmingthanga – 7.5
The young prospect took the responsibility in the wings; stepped again and proved very difficult to handle. Jerry provided dangerous crosses and constantly gave threats for the Chennai defenders.
Vinit Rai – 6.5
The Indian defensive midfielder had an average outing in this game and remained invisible for the majority of the match.
Cole Alexander – 7.5
The 31-year-old South African was the sole reason behind Odisha’s decent performance in the midfield. Alexander lacked support from his fellow colleagues and thus couldn’t provide the deliveries into the box.
Nandha Kumar – 7
The Tamil Nadu winger did some decent work in the left flank. He troubled the Chennaiyin defenders at times but wasn’t that effective. Nandha had a wonderful season last time but he is yet to find his rhythm this year.
Daniel Lalhlimpuia – 6.5
The Ex-Bengaluru striker was merely seen on the pitch. He was replaced at the 70th minute as he didn’t contribute much.
Diego Mauricio – 7
The in-form Brazilian striker was kept quiet till the very end by the Chennaiyin Centre Backs. Mauricio found it difficult to bypass the Chennai defence but eventually found the back of the net in the first half which was later disallowed due to an offside.
Substitutes:
Manuel Onwu – 6.5
The Spaniard came from the bench during the 70th minute of the game but he couldn’t change the fortunes of Odisha.
Subham Sarangi – Not Rated
He came from the bench at the very last moment. So, he can’t be rated.
Follow IFTWC for all the latest updates on Indian Football and download our from playstore.