Intercontinental Cup Player Ratings: Chhetri and Halder shine as India seal title

It was a collective effort from the Blue Tigers which helped defeat the Harambee Stars in the end. 

India won the Intercontinental Cup with a resounding 2-0 victory over Kenya at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday. It was Captain fantastic Sunil Chhetri who equalled Lionel Messi's mark in terms of international goals with a first half brace to lead his side to another trophy. Here are the player ratings for the finale.

India

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu- 7.0

Gurpreet proved why he's India's #1 with a commanding performance in which he saved everything thrown at him. His distribution was excellent and he oozed confidence. The custodian also produced some Hollywood saves in the second half to prove his amazing shot-stopping ability.

Pritam Kotal- 6.5

Kotal played very cleverly to absolutely neutralize his man and marked him out of the game. He wasn't noticeable apart from a solid block in the second half, but his composed performance proved how he's a necessity in this Indian team.

Anas Edathodika- 7.5

Anas complimented his partner perfectly and was always there to clear the danger for the Blue Tigers. He made some vital clearances from deep inside the box and looked pumped on the day. It was a much more aggressive outing in which he made sure that nothing went past him and commanded the backline like a natural leader.

Sandesh Jhingan- 7.0

 

 

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Jhingan proved too hot to handle for Pistone Mutamba once again, as he bullied the striker out of the game. The defender made some solid tackles and proved his ball-playing abilities with the long-ball which assisted Chhetri's second goal.

Subhashish Bose- 6.5

Bose gave a much more composed performance on the day and held his own against the dangerous Ovella Ochieng. He delivered a clever performance and had another solid showing at the back to prove how he's been one of the finds of the tournament for India.

Anirudh Thapa- 7.5

 Thapa recovered brilliantly from the nightmare earlier on against Kenya and was like a pocket magnet for the Blue Tigers. He made some clever movements and his creativity was shown in his distribution. The midfielder also provided a smart assist for the first goal.

 

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Winning celebration 

Pronay Halder- 7.5

Pronoy has been the Man of Steel for India in the middle and gave a rock-solid performance yet again. He bullied his opponents to win back the ball repeatedly and covered for his defence really well. Halder definitely solidified his spot in the national team in the course of the tournament.

Udanta Singh- 5.5

"The Flash" showed his potential once again with an improved performance on the wings. His dangerous movement was an ever-bearing threat for Kenya and Singh was unlucky to see one particular inviting cross not being capitalized on by anyone.

Holicharan Narzary- 5.5

Holicharan was a bit frustrating in attack again, but made up with his defensive showcase. He supported his full-backs really well and proved why manager Stephen Constantine trusts him so much with another hard-working performance.

Sunil Chhetri- 9.0

The man is ageing like fine wine and upped his game massively for the finale. Chhetri's movement was highly unpredictable and he scored a really clever opening goal. If it was possible, he outdid himself with his second, which he controlled fantastically and calmly put into the back of the net.In the pr

In the process, he equalled Lionel Messi in terms of international goals and his contribution to Indian football has been nothing less than that of Messi's for his own side. He was definitely the Man of the Tournament for scoring eight goals and leading from the front in every game.  

Jeje Lalpekhlua- 6.0

Jeje played with much flair in the game, but missed his clinical nature on the day. He got into promising positions and occasionally troubled Kenya's goalkeeper, but failed to do anything big.

Substitution

Balwant Singh- 6.0

Balwant did the hold-up play really well and showed his creative side with some passes. However, he didn't get enough support in attack, but looked lively and energetic.

Rowllin Borges- 6.0

He was brought on to add some more steel to India's defence and did that convincingly. Borges helped the Blue Tigers maintain their defensive record and impressed with his set-pieces.

Ashique Kuruniyan- NA

Kuruniyan moved well with the ball at times, but failed to create anything in his short cameo.

Narayan Das- NA

He was brought on in the dying minutes and helped India maintain their clean-sheet.

Jerry Lalrinzuala- NA

Came on with seconds on the clock, but looked a lively figure in defence.

Laldanmawia Ralte- NA

The East Bengal man made a short debut of a few seconds to earn a medal.  

ALSO READ:

Chhetri brace as India trounce Kenya in Intercontinental Cup final

Sunil Chhetri equals Lionel Messi's international goalscoring mark

Govt heeds Constantine's plea, India set to play in Asian Games

 

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Match highlights: India 2-0 Kenya

Kenya

Patrick Matasi- 6.0

Matasi was unable to deal with the unpredictability of India's attack and couldn't really do anything to save the goals. He made some decent saves, but was ineffective when it mattered.

Jockins Atundo- 6.0

Atundo didn't really have to do much defensively, but was a threat in attack. His long-throws and crosses looked dangerous, but he couldn't really conjure up anything big for Kenya.

Erick Otieno- 6.0

Otieno had another decent outing in which he disabled the dangerous Udanta from threatening on the wing. He made some important challenges, but couldn't really do anything to contribute in attack.

Musa Mayeko- 5.0

Another polarizing performance to that of his opposition captain as Mayeko failed to rally his troops. He conceded poor goals and failed to take the game by the scruff of the neck. He was also lucky to not get sent off after a terrible challenge on Thapa and produced a disappointing showing.

Michael Kibwage- 50

Kibwage had a nightmare against Chhetri and was struggling to keep up with the Indian captain. He made an error by easily letting the forward go past him and score the second goal and couldn't support his own captain that well.

Bernard Oginga- 5.0

Oginga was a frustrated figure as he struggled to dominate the midfield like the other day. Was robbed of the ball on numerous occasions and showed his frustration by getting booked after a poor tackle. He was lucky to not get sent off after numerous rash challenges.

Odhiambo Dennis- 6.5

Probably the best midfielder for the Harambee Stars as Dennis used his presence very well. He was confident in midfield and distributed the ball superbly. He also had a few cracks at goal, but played too deep to threaten on the attacking front.

Patilah Omoto- 5.5

Omoto was disappointing on the day and really struggled on the left wing. He failed to create anything for Kenya and didn't look confident at all after conceding two goals so quickly in the first half.

Kenneth Muguna- 4.0

Muguna was given a chance to be the creator in the middle for the Harambee Stars, but struggled to do anything. He was quite invisible in his short stint and was sppn subbed off.

Ovella Ochieng- 6.0

Ochieng looked much more positive on the right wing and threatened the Blue Tigers with his lightening movement. Some of his crosses were promising as well, but he was unlucky to see them being cleared.

Pistone Mutumba- 5.5

Mutamba was left a frustrated figure because of the way the Indian defence neutralized him. He struggled to use his physical prowess to his advantage and squandered a few opportunities, which summed up his poor outing in the tournament.

Substitution

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John Makwata- 6.5

Makwata was the only bright light in Kenya's ineffective attack and showed the confidence to take on the Indian defence. He tested his opponents on many occasions and was unlucky not to score. He was definitely the best attacker for the Harambee Stars.