Ratings: Mehtab, Borges carry Mumbai City to victory over Churchill Brothers

Goals from Mehtab and Chhangte helped MCFC complete a comeback win.

Mumbai City started their Super Cup campaign with a gritty 2-1 win over Churchill Brothers on Tuesday. The Islanders went behind early on when Ansoumana Kromah pounced on an error from Phurba Lachenpa to make it 1-0 in the 9th minute.

However, the Islanders took control of the game and got an equalizer through Mehtab Singh in the 26th minute. Just as it looked like the game would result in a draw, Vikram Pratap Singh won a penalty in the 90th minute – which Lallianzuala Chhangte finished to give his side the win.

Here are the Player Ratings for the game.

Mumbai City

Phurba Lachenpa – 5.0

Lachenpa started his game with an uncharacteristic error, horribly losing possession in his box before letting Kromah score. Quite composed and reliable afterwards, making a few nice stops.

Hardik Bhatt – 6.5

Bhatt was an energetic figure on the right, covering a lot of ground. Made a few silly fouls, but produced a pretty gritty performance to neutralize a lot of attacks.

Mehtab Singh – 7.5

Mehtab was not only defensively secure but also got the equalizer with a solid header from a set-piece. Moved the ball forward well and made a number of key challenges.

Rahul Bheke – 6.5

Bheke started the game in a sloppy fashion but got better as it progressed. Struck the bar late in the first half and commanded a pretty secure backline.

Vignesh Dakshinamurthy – 7.0

Vignesh was disciplined on the left and helped keep Churchill Brothers quiet through that side, winning many key duels.

Lalengmawia – 6.5

Lalengmawia was quite a prolific figure in the middle, moving the ball forward really well and getting plenty of freedom to roam forward. His game ended in bitter fashion after he sustained a nasty injury around the hour-mark.

Rowllin Borges – 8.0

Borges put in a solid shift in midfield, protecting his backline well and recovering possession nicely. Set up the equalizer with a great cross and created a few more chances with his excellent set-pieces.

Vinit Rai – 6.5

Rai helped his side control possession expertly, moving the ball around with panache. Created a few nice chances with clever passes and pressed the opposition players swiftly.

Lallianzuala Chhangte – 7.0

Chhangte used his pace to trouble Churchill, often flying into promising areas in the final third. Managed to go past the goalkeeper in the first half, but failed to convert from close range. Got his goal late on with a smart penalty.

Bipin Singh – 5.5

Bipin used his pace and incisive running to cause trouble to Churchill but lacked the final product. Wasn’t able to create anything big or test the goalkeeper.

Vikram Pratap Singh – 7.0

Vikram Pratap was like an engine for his side in midfield, making a number of darting runs in the final third. Linked-up well with his teammates and made some nice off-the-ball runs. Won the late penalty by forcing a foul in the box.  

Substitutes

Gurkirat Singh – 6.5

Singh used his physicality to hassle defenders after coming on and struck a nice header just over the bar from a free-kick.

Ayush Chhikara – N/R

Chhikara had a few half-bright moments, but relatively quiet in his late cameo.

Churchill Brothers

Nora Fernandes – 6.0

Fernandes’ movement around his box was a bit dodgy, but he did well to make some nice saves and catches from free-kicks. Couldn’t do much about the late penalty. But denied a possible third with a brilliant save to deny Vikram Pratap in added time.

Joseph Clement – 6.0

Clement was actually pretty solid all game long, keeping Bipin quiet and being assertive with his challenges. Undid all that with a silly foul leading to the late penalty.

Lalremruata – 7.0

Lalremruata gave a bright impression of himself, dealing well with the dangerous Chhangte. He stopped him from creating major chances and frustrated him by winning a lot of duels.

Zacharie Mbenda – 7.0

The commanding centre-back played a key role in ensuring Mumbai didn’t get away with a huge win. Made some great timed challenges with his smart game-reading and denied Chhangte a goal with a brilliant recovery tackle in the first half.

Lamgoulen Hangshing – 6.0

Hangshing was pretty disciplined in the backline and formed a nice backline with Mbenda. Frustrated Vikram Pratap with his clever challenges.

Anil Gaonkar – 5.0

Gaonkar was a bit too physical for his own good and got booked for a rash challenge. Incidentally, Mumbai scored from the free-kick he conceded too. Improved in the second half, getting into wide areas and creating some decent chances with his delivery.  

Richard Costa – 6.0

The experienced midfielder was quite assertive with his work in midfield. Created space for his teammates and passed the ball around well, working hard all game long.

Kingslee Fernandes – 6.5

Kingslee was a proactive figure in the final third, dropping into pockets of spaces to trouble Mumbai. Hassled the midfielders and sent in some really inviting crosses, but did not really get any reward for it.

Sardor Jakhonov – 5.0

The Uzbekistan winger failed to properly adapt to the game or make a difference for his side and was taken off at half-time.

Martin Chaves – 7.0

Chaves was the creative beacon for Churchill, moving the ball forward nicely. He set up some major chances for his side and troubled with his set-piece delivery too, but not rewarded for his hard-work.

Ansoumana Kromah – 7.5

Kromah was a thorn in the side of Mumbai’s backline with his witty movement and dribbling style. After missing an early chance, he made up with some impressive pressing and outwitting Lachenpa for the opener. Did relatively well from the few chances he got and made the Mumbai backline nervous whenever he had the ball.

Substitutes

Lalawmpuia Sailo – 5.5

Sailo had a huge chance after coming on but diverted his header from close range well wide of the target. Made some nice movement, but lacked that final third precision.