Ratings: Carl McHugh steals point for ATK Mohun Bagan with late equaliser

The Mariners came twice from behind despite playing with 10 men.

Mumbai City FC drew 2-2 against ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) at the Mumbai Football Arena (MFA) on Sunday evening. Lallianzuala Chhangte and Rostyn Griffiths notched a goal each for the Islanders. ATKMB responded with an own-goal courtesy a shot by Joni Kauko.

Carl McHugh then came on as a substitute to bag the equalizer in the 89th minute. It was a closely-contested encounter and ATKMB were reduced to 10 men after Lenny Rodrigues was sent off for an erratic challenge on Greg Stewart in the second half. Though Mumbai City dominated the proceedings for long, ATKMB did well to triumph over the important moments of the match and take away a game from this key encounter. Here are the player ratings for both teams from this match.

Mumbai City FC (By Tarkesh Jha)

Phurba Lachenpa – 5.5

The goalkeeper made some firm collections but was found out in ATK Mohun Bagan’s equalizer. Lachenpa was also booked for wasting time during one of the goal-kicks in the first half.

Rahul Bheke – 6

Bheke delivered one of his finer performances of the season as he put in some robust challenges and coupled it with some dynamic contributions in the attacking half as well.

Rostyn Griffiths – 7

Griffiths was alert and made some good interceptions inside the 18-yard box in the first half. He returned after the break with some greater vigour and secured the second goal of the night for the home team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18HmW0rBH8k

Mehtab Singh – 6

Mehtab continued his good run of form with another performance that left everyone with little to complain for. He was proactive with his challenges, dealt with the opposition’s offensive moves by steering higher up and recycling the ball back to the midfield.

Sanjeev Stalin – 3

Stalin was getting increasingly found out by the ATK Mohun Bagan duo of Hugo Boumous and Manvir Singh and coach Buckingham responded swiftly to it by taking him off for Mandar Rao Dessai at half-time.

Lalengmawia Ralte – 6

Apuia went about his usual work of recovering possession, linking up with Jahouh but was curiously involved in a greater role near the opposition’s box tonight. He got in some good positions where he could take meaningful shots on target but the end product was missing in that aspect.

Ahmed Jahouh – 5.5

Jahouh was at his creative best at the heart of the midfield by winning the ball back countless times and releasing Mumbai City FC’s wingers on some quick runs with his cross-field passes. However, he was culpable of losing the aerial challenge that led to McHugh’s goal that starved Mumbai City of a victory in this tightly-contested encounter.

Bipin Singh – 5.5

Bipin displayed some good footwork and regularly got into goal-scoring positions. Even his deliveries inside the box were accurate but the team would have expected some better finishing from his end, especially when they had momentum on their side whilst leading.

Greg Stewart – 6.5

Stewart dictated most of Mumbai City’s attacking moves. He was all over the place in the first half but moved to a more compact, central role in the last 45 minutes. He hit the crossbar at least thrice during the course of the game and some better accuracy on that front could have changed the result altogether in Mumbai’s favour.

Lallianzuala Chhangte – 7

Chhangte’s imperious goal-scoring touch extended for yet another game as he took a confident long-range shot that resulted in Mumbai’s opening goal in the fourth minute. He switched flanks with Bipin briefly but was substituted for Vikram Pratap Singh in the second half.  

Jorge Pereyra Diaz – 5

Diaz as the focal point of attack allowed Mumbai City to play Stewart in a more free-flowing role. However, the former Kerala Blasters striker didn’t really have many chances coming his way. Neither did he finish off the solitary one that he got at the end of either.

Substitutes:

Mandar Rao Dessai – 5.5

Mandar certainly brought in greater assurance in the left-back slot and certainly made a case to start in the XI in Mumbai City’s next game against Chennaiyin FC.

Alberto Noguera – 5.5

Noguera’s introduction certainly brought life into the proceedings. One of his shots deflected off the crossbar and he also created two goal-scoring chances overall.

Vikram Pratap Singh – 4

Vikram attracted the wrath of Stewart for wasting off a promising chance in the dying moments of the game. He didn’t make any efficient deliveries into the box during his short stay on the field either.

ATK Mohun Bagan (By Uttiyo Sarkar)

Vishal Kaith  - 5.5

Kaith had a really topsy-turvy evening in Mumbai. He did make a few strong saves, but still didn’t look totally comfortable at the back. Failed to react quickly enough for the second and couldn’t punch away the ball – allowing an easy goal for Griffiths.

Asish Rai – 4.5

The young right-back failed to make much impact on his side. Didn’t have any attacking threat at all and was hassled by Bipin Singh & co.

Pritam Kotal – 7.5

Kotal did a great job in completely nullifying the threat of Jorge Diaz. Very proactive at the back – producing some incredible stats like nine clearances and eight interceptions! Despite being nearly perfect all game long, Kotal failed to clear the cross leading to the second goal.

Brendan Hamil – 7.0

Hamill handled himself well under pressure and helped his side sustain quite a lot of pressure. Progressed the ball forward smoothly and made five clearances, and he couldn’t really do much to stop either goal.

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Subhashish Bose – 5.0

Bose was really troubled by the in-form Chhangte and put outside his comfort zone from the get-go. The left-back failed to react quickly enough and lost a crucial duel before the opening goal. Did somewhat improve after – making four clearances and two tackles – but never looked in control of his wing.

Deepak Tangri – 6.0

Tangri seemed to be playing in pain after suffering a nasty knock in the first half, but still kept on. Produced a few crunching tackles, but was not at his most energetic self due to that injury.

Joni Kauko – 7.5

The Finland midfielder was again among his side’s best players in a major game. He refused to be hassled by the Mumbai City midfielders and was stinging like a bee in the middle. Kauko got the equalizer in a rather fortunate fashion, as it took a wicked deflection, but still got his first goal of the campaign to equalize the score. He also made four tackles as well as boasting an 81% passing accuracy – helping move the ball into smooth attacking areas.

Hugo Boumous – 4.0

After a heroic performance in the Kolkata Derby, Boumous failed to produce similarly against his former side. He wasn’t given much space to work into and was made to put in some decent defensive work. Boumous missed one huge chance in the first half, putting a shot over from open range. Had another night to forget against the Islanders.

Manvir Singh – 7.0

Manvir was an electric figure on the right, doing a lot of work to help create chances for his side. His movement forced Des Buckingham's hand for substituting Sanjeev Stalin at half-time. Manvir also created two huge chances in the first half, but was unlucky to see neither converted. Seems to be getting better as the season progresses.

Liston Colaco – 4.5

Liston seems to have lost his spark this season. He again missed that special something in his game, not being able to test the keeper or create anything major. Did get a lucky assist for the equalizer, but apart from that, he rarely posed as a threat.

Dimitri Petratos – 6.5

The dangerous striker had a frustrating outing, but redeemed himself with a late assist. Despite his smart movement in the final third, his final product in open play was missing. Petratos also missed a big scoring chance in the first half, but made up by producing a thunderous cross for McHugh’s late equalizer.  Almost became the hero in added time, but unlucky to see his header hit the bar and cleared off the line.

Substitutes

Lenny Rodrigues – 2.0

Lenny seemingly allowed the intensity of the game get to him, as he was sent-off just under 30 minutes of coming on for a horrible off-the-ball challenge.

Carl McHugh – 8.0

The Irishman had a game to remember, as he scored his second ISL goal in the late stages with a fantastic glancing header – earning a point for his side.

Lalrinliana Hnamte – 6.0

The midfielder helped add a bit more calmness to ATK Mohun Bagan's midfield and help defend the transitions.

Kiyan Nassiri – N/R

Nassiri failed to get involved in anything memorable in a late cameo.

Ashique Kuruniyan –  N/R

Ashique couldn’t really do much better than Liston on the left-wing, failing to create anything major.