Ratings: Teamwork lifts Mohun Bagan to AFC Cup Group Stages

Goals from Cummings, Sadiku and a compact performance from the rest of the team earn Mariners an easy win against Abahani

Mohun Bagan Super Giant secured qualification to the group stages of the 2023 AFC Cup with a 3-1 win over Dhaka Abahani on Tuesday, August 22. The Mariners had to come back from being a goal down after Cornelius Ezekiel was gifted a goal in the 17th minute.

However, the Kolkata giants piled on the pressure afterward and Jason Cummings equalized in the 36th minute with a well taken penalty. They took control in the second half, scoring two goals in the space of three minutes – with an own goal from Milad Soleimani (58’) and a goal from Armando Sadiku (60’) to help them fight their way to a win.

Here are the Player Ratings from the game.

Mohun Bagan SG (by Uttiyo Sarkar)

Vishal Kaith – 4.0

Kaith made an awful error to gift Abahani the opener spilling a simple cross. Then nearly conceded another cheap goal, only deflecting a slow header in the post. Bailed out by his teammates.

Asish Rai – 6.0

Rai made some great overlapping runs through the right, but his final passes were mixed. Defensively pretty decent, stopping moves from happening through his side.

Anwar Ali – 7.0

Anwar had another solid shift at the back, keeping the physical Abahani strikers quiet. Came up with solid changes and neutralized a lot of attacking threat.

Hector Yuste – 7.0

Yuste had a sturdy debut for the Mariners, commanding a really reliable backline. Worked well with Anwar to cut out attacks, moved the ball forward well and won a lot of chances with his aggressive style.

Subashish Bose – 6.0

The Mohun Bagan captain was quite decent at the back, neutralizing a lot of threat on the left. A bit aggressive at times, getting booked for it, but did well defensively and also set up some nice chances.

Anirudh Thapa – 6.5

Thapa played in a much deeper role than usual and couldn’t really have that much influence. Irrespective, he did well in moving the ball forward and also help with defensive duties – being quite tidy in the centre.

Sahal Abdul Samad – 6.0

Sahal was clever with his off-the-ball movement, getting himself into all the key areas in the final third. His final product, however, was awry as he failed to create major chances and couldn’t score either.

Hugo Boumous – 7.0

Boumous played in a free role and troubled the Abahani backline with his fizzy movement. His off-the-ball runs were great, allowing him to play a role in multiple goals – especially with his pass forcing the own-goal. Created some nice chances, but was unable to test the keeper.

Liston Colaco – 7.0

Liston was a menace with his movement down the left, moving the ball forward well. Won the penalty for his side and then set up the third goal with a brilliant run and clever pass.

Armando Sadiku – 6.5

Sadiku was sensible with his link-up play, moving the ball around well. Not that proactive, but showcased his striker’s instinct with a clever tap-in for his side’s third.

Jason Cummings – 7.5

Cummings got himself in a lot of key areas in the box and scored the equalizer, putting away the penalty perfectly. He looked sharp with his link-up play and general movement, while also testing the goal with some menacing attempts.

Subs

Manvir Singh – 6.5

Manvir made some nice runs into the empty spaces, creating a few chances including a late pass into the box that was cleared. Also hit the side-netting in added time.

Glan Martins – 6.0

Martins helped add more steel to his side’s midfield, playing ball forward well and contributing defensively.

Ashique Kuruniyan – 6.0

Ashique made some menacing runs from the left, but was unable to really create much.

Lalrinliana Hnamte – N/R

Hnamte had a late cameo for the Mariners, adding ore energy.

Kiyan Nassiri – N/R

The youngster had a late shot attempt go wide.

Abahani Limited Dhaka (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Sahidul Alam – 6

Had nothing to do about Soleimani’s own goal or Sadiku’s strike and was beaten by Jason Cumming’s spot kick. All in all, a forgettable outing for the Bangladeshi shot-stopper.

Yousef Mohammad- 6

Employed as a high-flying wingback to exert more pressure on Bagan’s undersupported wings but was instead pegged back by the excellent combination between Ashiqye Kuruniyan and Subhasish Bose.

Milad Soleimani- 5.5

Wrongfully turned the ball into his own net on a specifically nightmarish outing for the center-half.

Rahmat Mia- 6.5

Advanced into the Bagan half later on and tried his luck with a belter from outside the box which could only end up as one of the many off-target shots.

Asaduzzaman Bablu- 6

Despite being fielded as one of the three centre-backs to combat the might of Manvir, Boumous, Sadiku, Cummings, and Sahal, Bablu was ineffective.  

Sushanto Tripura- 6.5

The left wing-back’s state was as miserable as his compatriot on the right-hand side as he continuously bombed up the flank to supply balls but had to watch as his teammates skied their efforts.

Muzaffarov- 6.5

Regulated the midfield well but was substituted off for Sohel Rana as a two-man midfield proved to be too tiring for the Mariners’ fluid and energetic midfield. 

Mohammad Ridoy- 6

Stayed on for the entirety of the game but was barely effective, missing a few shots and mostly being swamped down by Mohun Bagan’s high tempo in the middle of the park.

David Ifegwu- 6

Ifegwu’s threat was completely neutralised by the Bagan defence within the opening half-an-hour after Stewart’s goal as they anticipated his movement. Taken off for in the 77th minute for Mohammad Rahimuddin to enter the fray.

Cornelius Stewart- 7.5

The solitary talking point for his side as he was on the scoresheet but still responsible for some gilt-edged misses. His 17th minute opener gave Abahani hope before Cummings’ penalty numbed all the excitement of the same.

Chukwudiebube Emeka- 6.5

Though he embarked on a few threatening runs, Emeka did not yield any end-product for his side as well. 

Subs

Sohel Rana- 6.5

Replaced Muzaffarov but didn’t really take on the onus to turn things around.

Mohammad Rahimuddin- 6.5

Got into the box and tried to play the ball across on two occasions but in vain as his genuine chances were not capitalized on by his teammates. 

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