Player Ratings: Noguera, substitutes help Mumbai City FC clinch AFC Champions League berth

The Islanders outplayed the Men of Steel to earn a spot in the Champions League.

Mumbai City FC will participate in the 2023-24 AFC Champions League group stage after defeating Jamshedpur FC by 2-1 in the Hero Club playoff fixture in Kerala on Tuesday. Des Buckingham’s players were in control of the game for large periods. 

Goals from Ahmed Jahouh and Alberto Noguera were enough to hand MCFC the win. On the other hand, Aidy Boothroyd saw his team mount a challenge late into the match but they could not find the equalizer after Eli Sabia scored, giving them a slight hope of making a comeback.

The biggest factor in deciding the winner at the end of the day was the difference in the quality of the players in both teams. Winning the playoff gives the Islanders the chance to represent India on the continental stage.

Here is a look at the player ratings from MCFC’s win over JFC in the playoff fixture:

Jamshedpur FC (by Waseem Zaidi)

TP Rehenesh (GK) - 5.5

TP Rehenesh made a few decent saves but was helpless in the penalty situation and for Alberto Noguera’s goal as the shot came through a crowd of players. He was exposed by his defence for the third goal as well as Vikram Pratap Singh's lob from the edge of the box.

Laldinliana Renthlei - 5.5

The full-back kept a close watch on Bipin Singh and did his best to contain MCFC’s threat from the right flank. He could not make an impact on the front foot as JFC lacked creativity from the flanks.

Eli Sabia - 7.0

The centre-back gave his team a glimmer of hope by scoring with a header late in the second half.

Pratik Chaudhari - 6.0

Pratik Chaudhari was strong in his tackling but picked up a yellow card for being a little too reckless.

Ricky Lallawmawma - 4.0

The left-back had a night to forget. He gave away the penalty for Ahmed Jahouh’s goal, then his heavy touch saw the ball fall kindly for Alberto Noguera inside his box which led to the second goal and he also missed a scoring chance in the second half.

Pronay Halder - 5.5

The defensive midfielder put his body on the line and made several blocks to deny MCFC players a clear sight of the goal from range. He was not effective in the attacking third.

Jay Emmanuel Thomas - 6.5 

JET was comfortable on the ball and made plenty of forward passes that made MCFC defenders sweat. He played a beautiful through ball for Ricky who could not capitalize on the chance. In the first half, JET also pushed Lachenpa into making a save with his free-kick.

Ritwik Das - 5.5

Ritwik Das had a disappointing night. He could not create clear scoring chances for his team and MCFC full-backs were quick to neutralise him on the flanks.

Boris Singh - 6.5

Boris Singh tried his best to create scoring chances for his team from the right flank. The MCFC defenders cleared away his crosses. The winger was otherwise impressive with his work rate and had to help in defence to contain the likes of Bipin Singh.

Harry Sawyer - 6.5

He tried to use his physicality to make life difficult for the MCFC defenders. He did not get enough clear chances to score and made way for Crivellaro after running his heart out on the pitch.

Daniel Chukwu - 6.5

The striker showed a willingness to score goals but could not find the target with his attempts. He attempted an ambitious overhead kick and also contributed to the build-up but did not receive the service that he relishes.

Substitutions

Rafael Crivellaro - 6.0

Rafael Crivellaro came on to the pitch to add more creativity. It was his delivery from the corner that led to Sabia’s goal.

Ishan Pandita - 5.5

The striker did not have enough time to score an equalizer after coming on from the bench.

Mumbai City FC Ratings (By Keshava Verma)

Phurba Lachenpa (GK) – 7.5

Despite not being able to keep a clean sheet, Lachenpa was solid in between the sticks and made some great saves to hand his side an easy victory.

Rahul Bheke (C) – 7.5

Mumbai's captain stepped up to the occasion, and kept an in-form Ritwik Das within his stride throughout the night. His experience in the backline also helped in Mumbai's solid defending tonight.

Mehtab Singh – 7.5

Mehtab was once again solid tonight and did ever so well to keep Chukwu and Sawyer at Bay. He was resilient and spontaneous and did everything required to give his team the desired result.

Rostyn Griffiths - 7

Fall's replacement for tonight Rostyn Griffiths was as impressive as Mehtab in stopping Jamshedpur's threatening duo. The centre back however could've done better with his task of marking Eli, when he headed Jamshedpur's solitary goal.

Vignesh Dakshinamurthy – 6.5

Vignesh wasn't particularly a standout performer tonight and had a pretty average outing. Though standing up to his defensive tasks whenever required, the player was at par with his offensive responsibilities.

Ahmed Jahouh – 7.5

Ahmed scored Mumbai's opener from the spot and also put in a decent shift in the midfield. He was quick and precise with his passing and also posed great creativity in the attack.

Apuia Ralte – 7.5

Apuia once again put on a show in the middle of the park and made no mistakes in such an intense midfielder battle against the likes of Pronay Haldar and Jay.

Alberto Noguera – 8.5

Alberto Noguera was easily the best player on the pitch tonight. The Spaniard was tireless, sharp, and industrious. He made some brilliant runs with the ball and gave Jamshedpur's defense a really tough time. Noguera also scored Mumbai's second goal, as he struck home a brilliant volley.

Lallianzuala Chhangte – 7.5

Chhangte was at it again tonight, as he put up one brilliant performance against Jamshedpur. The ISL golden ball winner was confident with his play, and through his trickery and quick feet, won the penalty that led to Mumbai's opener.

Bipin Singh – 7.5

Bipin was once again impressive and grew with confidence as the game progressed. He made some vital attacking contributions with his intense pressing, and great passing into dangerous positions.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz – 6.5

Diaz really worked hard throughout the game and was very active on the attacking half, often looking for those advanced balls. The striker however wasn't at par with his finishing and could've been much better in a number of situations.

Substitutes

Greg Stewart - 8

Greg did really well after coming on in the 64th minute and gassed up Mumbai's attacking threat. He also assisted Vikram in Mumbai's third goal.

Rowllin Borges - 7

Borges replaced Apuia in the midfield and added some much-needed stability to his team's defensive half. His calm and composed play helped his team win without any roadblocks.

Vikram Pratap - 8

Despite coming on in the 84th minute, Vikram managed to get on the scoresheet, as he scored a beautiful goal in the 93rd minute of the game.

Mourtada Fall - 7

Fall was also subbed on in the 84th minute to avoid his team from conceding an equalizer, and the Senegalese stepped up to his task.