Ratings: Nandha and Mauricio lift Odisha FC to Hero Super Cup finals

The Juggernauts have qualified for their first-ever final in all competitions.

Odisha FC have booked a finals date with Bengaluru FC in Kozhikode on Tuesday night for the Hero Super Cup title after a commendable 3-1 win over NorthEast United in a closely contested game.

Both teams gave it their all, and an exceptional brace by Nandha and Mauricio's late goal were enough to seal another comeback and take Odisha through.

Here are the ratings from the game.

Northeast United FC ( By Keshava Verma)

Mirshad Michu (GK) - 6

Mirshad conceded three goals and was not convincing enough in clearing his lines between the sticks.

Tondonba Singh - 6.5

Tondonba had a tough outing, as he was continuously tested by the likes of Mauricio and Jerry. The right back was solid and vital in a number of critical situations. 

Mashoor Shareef - 7.5

Mashoor had arguably his best-ever game in the NorthEast shirt tonight. The player was exceptional with his positioning and successfully accomplished the daunting task of marking Mauricio all night long. Also, he played a number of accurate long balls, one of which resulted in NorthEast’s first goal.

Alisher Kholmurodov - 6.5

Though Alisher’s man-marking was poor in Odisha’s build-up to their first goal, the Tajikistani did well in the rest of the game and was a vital piece of the NorthEast side that performed valiantly tonight.

Alex Saji - 7

Saji had quite an eventful night, as despite being exploited by Nandha, he managed to actually contribute significantly to his team’s defence by making a number of exceptional blocks and tackles.

Mohamed Irshad - N/A 

Irshad was subbed off in the 6th minute of the game due to an apparent hamstring injury.

Joseba Beitia - 7

Beitia had a pretty decent first half, as he made a number of key passes, and was vital in trying to unlock Odisha’s defense. The Spaniard switched off in the second half completely, and was pretty much invisible on the field.

Gani Nigam - 7.5

Entrusted by the coach in such a vital game, Gani did not disappoint by any means and was equally effective in the midfield as Beitia. His dribbling as well as his passing were some of the most impressive aspects of his performance tonight. 

Jithin MS - 7

Jithin did extremely well in the wings today. He was very creative, and his high speed continuously posed a problem for Odisha’s defense.

Rochharzela - 7

Charra played a major role in NorthEast’s goal, as it was his great through ball that was slotted home by Wilmar. Other than that, the player was also on point throughout, with his pressing and ball control.

Wilmar Jordan - 7

Wilmar gave in his all tonight, and once again managed to get on the scoresheet. His physicality and bustling movement caused a lot of problems for Odisha’s defense, who were very lucky to have escaped the wrath of the ferocious Colombian.

Substitutes

Pragyan Gogoi - 5.5

Despite coming on as a sub in the early stages of the game, Pragyan put in a very poor shift in the middle of the park. His progressive passing was inaccurate, and he was subbed off in the 70th minute of the game.

Romain Philippoteaux - 6

Romain came in for the final 30 minutes of the game, and couldn’t be of aid to NorthEast’s attack. The Highlanders looked in a comparatively poorer shape in his presence, and also just minutes after the substitution, Odisha’s second goal of the night was scored.

Parthib Gogoi - 5.5

Parthib also came on at the 60th-minute mark and was invisible for the entire 30 minutes. The winger hardly got a touch on the ball, and it was difficult to be aware of his existence on the field.

Danmawia - 6.5

Danmawia came in the final stretch of the game and provided some energy in the wings. His crosses were however not at par, and his contribution was minimal.

Hira Mondal - 7

Hira added a lot more confidence to NorthEast’s attacks, made some great runs, and played some brilliant balls into the path of Jordan and Romain in the short duration for which he was on the field.

Odisha FC ( By Keshava Verma)

Amrinder Singh - 7

Amrinder Singh wasn’t tested much by NorthEast, but the keeper did well to make a couple of important saves in the dying stages of the game.

Narender Gahlot - 6.5

Narender had a tough battle against Jithin and was constantly exploited by the winger’s pace. His passing was also not so good tonight, and he gave the ball away on a number of occasions.

Carlos Delgado - 7

Carlos put in a real shift tonight, as he guided the backline of Odisha extremely well in such a tough game. His experience was vital in Odisha’s win, and the player deserves a lot of plaudits for his efforts.

Osama Malik - 7

Though he struggled a bit against the physicality of Wilmar Jordan, Osama stood strong for the majority of the game and did well to firm up a great attacking performance by NorthEast.

Sahil Panwar - 6.5

Sahil was caught napping in the opening minute of the game, and it was his mispositioning that led to NorthEast’s first goal. He was also impeded by the likes of Saji and Charra all night long and had a difficult game. 

Princeton Rebello - 6.5

Princeton’s performance was somewhat shadowed due to a number of other standout performers, but the midfielder was vital for Odisha’s success in the game. He was an important contributor in both phases of the field, adding a number of transitional passes to his already incredible pressing.

Thoiba Singh - 6.5

Thoiba Singh was benched in the 37th minute of the game due to an injury but was of great service in the time that he was on the pitch. He was substantial in the defensive phase and also played some great passes to open up the play for Odisha.

Victor Rodriguez - 8

Victor was another outstanding player on display tonight. He provided the assist for Odisha’s second and was the Juggernauts' most creative and industrious player. The Spaniard passing and vision were also commendable, and he surely was a key part of his team tonight.

Nandhakumar Sekar - 8.5

Nandha was the best player on the pitch tonight, as he scored two of Odisha’s goals. He was exceptional on that right-hand side of the field. His dribbling as well as passing were fluid, and he was Odisha’s most vital element in today’s game.

Diego Mauricio - 8.5

Mauricio once again had a pretty decent night, as despite being hurried about all night long by Mashoor, the player did quite well to find himself in pretty decent positions, and also helped his team with a fantastic long-range effort from outside the box in the 85th minute.

Jerry Mawihmingthanga - 7.5

Jerry provided the assist for Odisha’s equalizer, and played a number of dangerous crosses throughout the time for which he was on the field. 

Substitutes

Paul Ramfangzauva - 7

Paul did well to fill in the shoes of Thoiba after coming on in the first half. His passing was precise and put in a very poised shift in the middle of the park.

Denechandra Meitei - 6

Denchandra came on for Sahil and was extremely poor in his time in the field. The player couldn’t handle the swift pace of the game and was falling short in his task of holding off Northeast’s attackers.

Aniket Jadhav - 6.5

Aniket didn’t have much of a contribution in the few minutes he played and was simply brought on for the fresh legs on the field.

Raynier Fernandes - N/A

Isak Vanlalruatfela - N/A