Ratings: Spaniards on target as FC Goa get better of NorthEast United

This was the Highlanders' 10th consecutive loss of the season.

FC Goa triumphed 2-1 against NorthEast United FC as a couple of first-half goals saw them decimate the Highlanders at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday. Edu Bedia and Iker Guarrotxena netted once each for the home side. Goa now stands at the fifth spot in the points table with 18 points from 10 matches. NorthEast’s hopes of resurrecting their faltering campaign under the tutelage of new head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annesse will have to wait long. They are still winless 10 games into the campaign. Here are the player ratings for both teams involved in this match.

FC Goa

Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem – 6

Dheeraj made two saves and clearances each but was outclassed by Wilmar Jordan’s spot-kick in the 90th minute.

Seriton Fernandes – 6

The FC Goa right-back tackled six times and created one goal-scoring chance to present an all-round performance in the backline.

Mohamed Fares Arnaout – 6.5

The centre-back tackled six times, made two successful interceptions and maintained a 95 per cent passing accuracy. He instilled innate composure at the heart of the back-four.

Anwar Ali – 6

Anwar contributed with six clearances and four blocks and helped Goa build up their attacks with affirmative and accurate passes (89 per cent success rate) upfront.

Aibanbha Dohling – 5.5

Dohling created one goal-scoring chance but didn’t make many constructive defensive contributions. He made some good overlapping runs ahead on the left flank though.

Ayush Dev Chhetri – 6.5

The youngster further cemented his place in the line-up with a 94 per cent passing accuracy and three tackles and interceptions each from the centre of the park.

Edu Bedia – 7.5

FC Goa’s midfield lynchpin rounded off a comprehensive display as he notched the opener. He created two goal-scoring chances and made three tackles along with an interception and clearance each to help dominate proceedings from the midfield.

Redeem Tlang – 7

The winger bagged an assist, took three shots at goal and also put in a good defensive shift with four tackles against his former club.

Iker Guarrotxena – 7.5

The Spaniard took five shots, bagged a goal and created two goal-scoring chances for FC Goa. He was a constant threat near the 18-yard box for the 67 minutes that he stayed on the field.

Brandon Fernandes – 6

Brandon helped initiate attacking moves and engaged in some good passing patterns but couldn’t get a goal contribution to his name tonight.

Noah Wail Sadaoui – 7

The dynamic forward secured an assist as he interlinked seamlessly with Guarrotxena and Tlang to ensure that Goa’s offensive moves flew flawlessly against the hapless Highlanders.

Substitutes

Alvaro Vazquez – 6

Vazquez created one goal-scoring chance and held the ball up well as he infused good energy in the frontline in the final quarter.

Makhan Chote – 6

Chote, too, created one goal-scoring chance and made a tackle and clearance each in his 23-minute-long stay on the pitch.

Marc Hernandez – 5

Hernandez was brought on at a time when Goa had gained a comfortable cushion in the game as coach Carlos Pena looked to shake up some things on the field.

Brison Fernandes – 5

Brison tackled twice and played a decent role as Goa looked to strengthen their hold over the proceedings in the last 20 minutes

Devendra Murgaonkar – N.A.

NorthEast United FC

Mirshad Michu – 5

Michu was industrious, as he punched thrice, made four clearances but couldn’t do much to save the two decisive goals that Goa scored.

Joe Zoherlina – 5

Zoherlina was booked once. His passing was erratic with an accuracy of only 54 per cent but he tackled and intercepted thrice each too.

Gaurav Bora – 5.5

Bora tackled six times and made three clearances as he was constantly kept on his toes by Goa’s creative attacking quartet throughout the game.

Michael Jakobsen – 4.5

The defender cut a very indifferent figure as he neither contributed constructively on the defensive front nor did he look to up the ante with some definite forward passes.

Tondonba Singh – 5.5

Tondonba made four interceptions and put in two tackles but his deliveries inside the box could have been received much more efficiently by the forward line.

Joe Gaztanaga – 5.5

The midfielder had a tough time keeping pace with his counterparts from Goa but Gaztanaga did a fine job by making five tackles and maintaining an 83 per cent passing accuracy.

Pragyan Gogoi – 6

Gogoi was all over the midfield – tackling five times and creating two goal-scoring chances in addition to keeping an impressive passing accuracy of 80 per cent. He often shifted to wider areas to carve out spaces in NorthEast’s backline.

Emil Benny – 6

Benny put in five tackles and created three goal-scoring chances and crosses each but a collectively compelling midfield effort was certainly missing from NorthEast’s end.

Romain Philippoteaux – 5.5

Philippoteaux created two goal-scoring chances and tackled twice but his passes often met the opposition. This helped FC Goa recover possession and break into their own attacking moves seamlessly.

Wilmar Gill – 6

The striker made light work of the spot-kick. He could have been more assertive and efficient with his efforts upfront for the entire duration of the game.

Roccharzela – 5.5

Roccharzela was often pegged back into defensive duties as he made six tackles. He took only a solitary shot on target in the 75 minutes he stayed on the field.

Substitutes

Emmanuel Lalchhanchhuaha – 5

The midfielder couldn’t bring about any requisite impact expected through his introduction to the field in the final quarter of the game.

Parthib Gogoi – 5

Gogoi was brought on as NorthEast looked to load up numbers in the frontline. Though the substitutions bore no influence in the proceedings.

Aaron Evans – N.A.

Mohammed Irshad – N.A.