AFC Cup 2023 Player Ratings: Anwar Ali & Cummings shine in Mohun Bagan Super Giant's win over Machhindra FC

Anwar Ali scored a brace for Mohun Bagan Super Giant in AFC Cup Qualifiers preliminary round

Mohun Bagan Super Giant moved onto the 2023 AFC Cup Qualifiers Playoffs stage with a 3-1 win over Machhindra FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday, 16 August. A brace from Anwar Ali (39’, 85’) and a first strike from Jason Cummings (59’) was enough to help them move forward – with Machhindra FC winger Pierre Jean Oloumou (Messouke) scoring a brilliant consolation in the 77th minute.

The Mariners will now face Bangladesh side Dhaka Abahani on 22 August to earn a place in the AFC Cup 2023 group stages. Here are the Player Ratings from the AFC Cup game.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant (by Uttiyo Sarkar)

Vishal Kaith – 6.0

Kaith didn’t really have to do much all game long, but couldn’t really do anything about Messouke’s amazing free-kick to the top corner.

Asish Rai – 6.0

Rai started the game well, creating a huge chance inside 30 seconds that Ashique fluffed. Vibrant and hard-working on the right – but unable to create much after that early spark, which is why he was taken off.

Anwar Ali – 9.0

In his AFC Cup debut for Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Ali proved why the club paid big bucks for him. Scored a brilliant header to put them in the lead and then another superb headed flick for his side’s third. Defensively very solid too, making some key clearances and maintaining a pretty sturdy backline.

Brendan Hamill – 8.0

Hamill acted like the defensive commander Ferrando wants him to be in the game, totally neutralizing the threat of the dangerous Afeez Oladipo. He was in the key areas almost all the time, coming up with clutch clearances and blocks to avert disaster.

Subashish Bose – 7.0

The Mohun Bagan captain didn’t really provide much attacking threat, but was secure at the back and came up when necessary to fend away trouble.

Glan Martins – 6.5

Glan was quite proactive in midfield, making the right presses to steal away possession and winning many duels. Not the best in terms of moving the ball forward, and got booked leading to their goal.

Anirudh Thapa – 6.5

Thapa really helped with Mohun Bagan’s build-up play, making some great long-passes and forward balls to help progress the play smoothly. His set-pieces were pretty threatening too but didn’t give him much reward. Could improve his defensive contribution, though.

Sahal Abdul Samad – 7.0

Sahal was a bright spark in an advanced midfield role, getting into a lot of promising areas outside the box. He had three shots saved and played some smart passes in the final third areas too, while moving around impressive off-the-ball to keep the opponents guessing.

Hugo Boumous – 7.5

Boumous buzzed around the final third for Mohun Bagan, repeatedly finding himself in dangerous positions. Created a number of chances for his side and set up the opener with a pinpoint corner for Ali to convert. Very proactive and innovative with his work before being taken off at the 54th minute.

Ashique Kuruniyan – 5.0

Ashique had fun getting past his players with ease on the left, but his final product was frustrating. Missed some glaring chances and his final passes were mostly thwarted. Saw his game end in unfortunate fashion with an injury.

Jason Cummings – 7.0

The Australian forward buzzed like a bee in the frontline, getting into a lot of empty pockets and showcasing impressive movement. After having a few attempts thwarted, he went through on goal to go past the keeper to score the Mariners’ second. Still needs more game-time to improve his match sharpness, but getting better with each game.

Subs

Dimitri Petratos – 8.0

Petratos proved to be an amazing super-sub after coming on in the 54th minute. Controlled his side’s attacks and set up two goals, playing a slick through ball for Cummings’ goal and an inviting set-piece for Anwar’s second.

Manvir Singh – 6.0

Manvir made a few clever runs in behind the Machhindra backline, but his final third product was awry. Helped his side defensively with sound contribution.

Armando Sadiku – 6.0

Sadiku used his physicality to shield the ball well and was decent with his link-up play, but unable to get at the end of any chances.

Liston Colaco – 5.5

Liston moved the ball forward well a few times, but his final product was frustrating.

Kiyan Nassiri – N/R

Failed to make much of an impact as a late sub.

Machhindra FC (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Bishal Shrestha- 6.5

Displayed cat-like reflexes and reliable hands to keep his side in the game despite conceding as he saved more than five shots on target. Faltered for the second goal, as Cummings skipped past him after he rushed out.  

Sanish Shrestha- 6.5

The dynamic fullback made both overlaps and underlaps as he looked to punish the Mariners’ casual vigilance on the flanks. 

Omoloja Narine- 5.5

Absent during all three of Mohun Bagan’s goals and was not very promising with his defensive contributions

Tshring Gurung- 5.5

Left Anwar Ali unmarked for his second of the night and MBSG’s third goal as he rose highest in the box unchallenged.

Devendra Tamang- 6.5

The 2015 Nepal League best defender award-winner was instrumental in letting Olomou be prominent in attack as he provided the defensive base as well as another option in attack.

Anders Nia - 6.5

Marauded up and down the pitch responsibly, making intelligent runs amidst the Bagan defence and threading dangerous balls to his teammates. Substituted for Laken Limbu to take his place in the 70th minute.

Arik Bista - 6

More active in attack but failed to help his team out while defending counters as a result of which Machhindra were excessively susceptible on the break. 

Bimal Magar - 6

Played a meagre role as he was reduced to chasing Ashique Kuruniyan and Liston Colaco’s shadows. Aashish Chaudhary relieved him of his duties in the 80th minute.

Ayush Ghalan- 6

The natural right winger was swamped down as Thapa, Bose and Hamill were physically combative and overpowered him easily. Got one chance around the 50 minute mark but squandered it. 

Afeez Oladipo- 5.5

Silenced by the likes of Brendan Hamill and Subhasish Bose as he struggled to make an impact despite Shreshtha trying to free him up. Utsav Rai replaced him ten minutes after the hour mark.

Messouke Pierre Olomou - 7.5

The Cameroonian attacker was Machhindra’s brightest offensive player, twisting and turning among Mohun Bagan defenders. He capped it off with a brilliant inswinging freekick that left Vishal Kaith scrambling for the ball in his net.  

Substitutes

Laken Limbu - 7.5

Ventured forward in the later stages and did a commendable job orchestrating in the middle of the park.

Utsav Rai- 6.5

Did a better job than Magar after coming on and stuck to his role.  

Aashish Chaudhary - 6.5

Chaudhary’s routine cutting inside from the right wing and making space for his teammates proved to be an orthodox but effective route into the Mariners’ half.