Ratings: Anirudh Thapa scores as India edge out Myanmar in close game

The story of the match was a tale of missed chances for the Blue Tigers.

India defeated Myanmar 1-0 in their first match of the Tri-Nation Friendly Tournament at the Khuman Lampak Stadium. After a free flowing first-half from the Indian side, the Blue Tigers earned their sole goal of the game, courtesy Anirudh Thapa. Myanmar, at times, looked dangerous in the second half, but couldn’t seal the equalizer.

Here are the player ratings from the game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8NHGH4_4qs

India (By Sattyik Sarkar)

Amrinder Singh – 7

If not for Amrinder Singh, the scoreline could’ve read different. The custodian made two brilliant saves, one in the 36th minute from a brilliant long-range free-kick. The second one came in the 42nd minute, when a header from his own teammate (after a Myanmar free-kick), deflected the ball towards his net.

Rahul Bheke – 6.5

It was an okayish sort of a performance from the experienced campaigner. He went for the overlap at times, but can’t be labelled successful in that. In the 19th minute, he tried a cross into the penalty area but this example shows why he’s rated low for the game.

Chinglensana Singh – 6.5

It was his duty to marshal India’s defensive troops. However, Sana looked pretty shaky during the budding stages of the game. Slowly, he gathered confidence and started adding his constructive build-up to India’s attack.

Mehtab Singh – 7

Surprising it may seem, but in his first international cap, Mehtab played way better than Sana. Be it making a superb block in the seventh minute to avert danger from a deflected shot, showing his sturdiness, he was smooth. One mistake however, a slip from him gave the ball away to a Myanmar forward in the 38th minute, from which the opponents could have secured a goal.

Akash Mishra – 7.5

Critics won’t agree, but Akash was India’s best performer on the pitch. Every time he trudged froward from the left, the crowd saw a ray of positivity. He delivered a top-notch cross to Sunil Chhetri in the 30th minute, a golden chance which the latter missed. His solo mistake was a throw in the 29th minute, which was too slow to reach Mehtab and could have caused danger.

Jeakson Singh – 6.5

Jeakson was his normal self, the way fans see him in the ISL. However, his defensive cover should have been better in many occasions.

Lallianzuala Chhangte – 7

On one flank if it’s Akash, the other flank was ruled by Chhangte. The Myanmar left-back was perhaps in hell until the Indian right winger was taken off in the second half. Chhangte should have capitalized on a chance he received in the 50th minute. Just outside the penalty area, he should have blasted it in.

Anirudh Thapa – 8

Thapa scored India’s first goal in the 46th minute, just at the brink of half time. His through balls however, weren’t at par with his previous footballing self.

Mohammad Yasir – 6.5

Sadly, Yasir wasn’t at his best against Myanmar. The reason he was the first player Stimac chose to replace (57th minute). In the 53rd minute he attempted a shot on the Myanmar goal, but it was too feeble to alarm the keeper.

Bipin Singh – 7

The Indian left flank was hyperactive due to the presence on Bipin. He made numerous crosses but the Indian frontline weren’t able to capitalize.

Sunil Chhetri – 6.5

It’s hard to write, but Sunil replicated what Darwin Nunez did a few weeks back at Liverpool. In the 30th minute, he missed a golden opportunity. Two minutes later, a cross from Chhangte was also not used properly by the skipper. A shot post the 70th minute saw Chhetri limp after taking the shot. Also, a goal was ruled offside. Not his day.

Substitutes

Suresh Singh Wangjam – 6.5

Came on in the 57th minute. Was the additional defensive cover to Jeakson, as the boss brought him to minimalize Myanmar’s attacking threat, as they were operating in full force in the second half.

Manvir Singh – 6.5

When he lined up to come on in the second half, fans felt India would secure their second goal soon. However, his crosses from the right flank were not up to the mark.

Naorem Mahesh Singh – 6

Earned his first appearance in national colours after a late call to the main squad. His performance and impact need to improve if he wants to remain in the national squad for the Asian Cup in January.

Ritwik Das – N/A

Seven minutes of football is too less to judge a new entrant in the national team.

https://youtu.be/mCQcZyfXlhg

Myanmar (By Keshava Verma)

Sann Sat Naing(GK) - 8

Sann had a night to remember, as he made some truly crucial saves, and helped his team fight till the very end. It was courtesy of his incredible reflexes and presence of mind, that Myanmar conceded only a solitary goal against India’s star studded attack.

Hein Phyo Win - 6.5

Hein was solid for his team in the first half, but his performance degraded in the second half as he couldn’t stop India’s constant pressure from that right hand side, and was caught out of possession on a number of occasions.

Htet Aung - 7.5

Htet was solid in the backline, and played very well to stop India’s attack all night long. He kept Sunil at his stride through the 90 minutes, and executed his job perfectly well.

Ye Min thu - 7.5

Min put in a solid shift tonight, and defended with a lot of vigour. The player made some truly crucial interceptions and tackles, but made a costly mistake in the closing stages of first half to allow Thapa to score the one and only goal of the game. 

Nanda Kyaw - 7.5

Nanda did well throughout the 65 minutes for which he was on the pitch. The Shan United left-back kept Chhangte quiet, and did really well to help his team with their attacking gameplay.

Lwin Moe Aung - 7.5

Lwin was excellent with his pressing, and also made himself available in Myanmar’s attack, presenting himself as the extra man on a number of occasions. The player also did well to run Myanmar’s midfield, and not allow Jeakson much time on the ball

Wai Lin Aung - 8

Wai linked up really well with Lwin to do well in the midfield, and was also an important part of his team’s defense. His heroics in the midfield tonight helped the Bhutanese put on a great performance against the Blue Tigers.

Thiha Htet Aung - 6.5

Htet Aung did well in the attack, and was impressive with his passing as well as crossing. The player was however not up to mark with his pressing, and could’ve been a bit more spontaneous and sharp at some crucial moments.

Aung Thu - 8

Aung was Myanmar’s best player on the field tonight, and was very impressive with his playmaking as well as intricate passing in the midfield. The player dropped to the midfield to create play on a number of occasions, and was the heart and soul of his team’s attack.

Maung Maung Lwin - 7

Myanmar’s captain was involved in all of his team’s attacks tonight, and put on a really solid performance that helped his team do great in such a crucial game.

Than Paing - 6.5

Than was very good with his pressing in the front, and even made himself productive in Myanmar’s build up. He missed some good opportunities tho, and wasn’t at the very best in terms of finishing.

Substitutes

Win Naing Tun - 7

Win Naing came on in the second half, and did well to control a resilient attack by India

Thet Hein Soe - 7

Hein was brought on as a substitute, and did well to run in the midfield in the final stages of the game, and help his defense as well as play some crucial passes in the attack.

Htet Soe Lin - 6

Htet Soe Lin had only a few touches on the ball, and wasn’t really involved in the few minutes he had on the pitch.

Hein Lin - 7

Hein Lin did a decent job in the defensive backline, and was able to stop India’s constant attacks.

Aung Mann - 6.5

Aung Mann did well in the midfield in the final stages pf the game, and made some impact in their attack as well.