Durand Cup 2023 Player Ratings: Nandhakumar & Co. impress in East Bengal's win over Mohun Bagan Super Giant

One goal was enough to settle the Kolkata Derby in Durand Cup 2023

East Bengal won their first Kolkata Derby since January 2019 when they defeated Mohun Bagan Super Giant by a 1-0 margin in the Durand Cup 2023 group clash on Saturday, August 12.

A winning goal from Nandhakumar Sekar in the 60th minute was enough for the Red & Gold Brigaders to earn bragging rights and also give a major boost to their chances of making it to the Durand Cup knockout stages.

Here are the Player Ratings from the game.

Mohun Bagan SG (by Uttiyo Sarkar)

Vishal Kaith – 6.0

Kaith looked quite sharp in his goal, collecting crosses well and making a few sharp saves to frustrate East Bengal. He couldn’t really do much about Nandhakumar’s impressive strike.

Asish Rai – 6.0

Rai had some problems against Mahesh Singh and his movement but did a decent job keeping him from causing chaos. His attacking contribution wasn’t the best, with his crosses being quite underwhelming.

Anwar Ali – 7.0

Ali did a pretty solid job keeping Siverio quiet and stopping him from being a menace for the backline. Along with his sturdy defensive work, Anwar also passed the ball forward well for his side.

Brendan Hamill – 6.0

Brendan commanded a relatively strong backline but couldn’t stop them from being broken open in the second half.

Subashish Bose – 4.5

The Mohun Bagan captain failed to really inspire his side on the day, struggling to create much with his ineffective crosses. Being caught horribly out of position for the goal didn’t help either.

Glan Martins – 5.5

Glan was quite energetic in the first half but struggled to stop the swift breaks as the game went on. Unable to create much for his side either.

Anirudh Thapa – 4.5

Thapa had an underwhelming derby debut for the Mariners and struggled to win his side the midfield battle. He couldn’t really create anything with his passes or set pieces and made a sloppy error that led to Nandha’s goal.

Manvir Singh – 5.5

Manvir was really bullied by the East Bengal defenders, who clattered him with aggressive fouls to keep him. He made a few nice runs and had a shot blast over in the first half, but was unable to produce the heroics of the last few games.

Hugo Boumous – 7.0

Boumous ran the show for the Mariners in the final third, making some exquisite passes to open up spaces. Had a few shots graze just wide, but was unable to see his clever work redeemed.

Liston Colaco – 4.5

Liston failed to replicate his heroics from the last few games and was a frustrating figure. He made a few nice runs and some inviting passes but was quite sloppy with his work in the final third again.

Armando Sadiku – 5.5

In his Kolkata Derby debut, Sadiku, the East Bengal goalkeeper, had a powerful shot early but slacked off as the game went on, perhaps due to a lack of match fitness.

Subs

Jason Cummings – 6.0

The Australian ace was quite proactive after coming on and got on the end of multiple chances. He saw one effort hit the top of the goal and another stray wide of the target.

Dimitri Petratos – 6.0

Petratos played a deeper role than Cummings and was tasked with helping create more chances. Unable to really set up anything major, though.

Sahal Abdul Samad – 5.5

Sahal didn’t really have that much time to wow the fans in his Mohun Bagan debut and was quite timid with his predictable passing. Riled up the East Bengal fans late on with a needless push on Khabra.

Suhail Bhat – N/R

The promising youngster tried his best to get involved in some late attacks but failed to make any major impact. Clattered the opposition goalkeeper with a rough challenge late on.

East Bengal FC (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Prabhsukhan Gill – 6.5

Almost caught out by Anwar Ali in the 56th minute, Prabhsukhan didn’t have much else to do, claiming some easy crosses. Brave during the closing stages as he gave it his all to preserve the clean sheet and pick up all three points.

Harmanjot Khabra- 7

Vigilant on the right flank to intercept the likes of Anirudh Thapa despite picking up a yellow for a foul on Liston. Khabra popped up in attack occasionally and led by example, with the captain’s armband proving to be the right choice for him.

Jordan Elsey- 7

Headed the low block as instructed by Carles Cuadrat as he was seen swooping dangerous aerial and ground balls up left and right. Made two monumental last-ditch tackles to deny Sad

Lalchungnunga- 6.5

Much more level-headed than before as his fellow defenders helped him out in marking Sadiku, Boumous, Liston and Manvir.

Mandar Rao Dessai- 7

Glimpses of the former FC Goa and Mumbai City FC captain’s best form helped him to a 90-minute debut for the Red-and-Gold Brigade.

Nandhakumar Sekar- 7.5

Dribbled with finesse and finally broke the deadlock in the 60th minute as he feinted past Anirudh Thapa and curled in a left-footed beauty past Vishal Kaith. Mohammad Rakip came into the fray in his place in the 85th minute.

Souvik Chakrabarti- 6.5

The homegrown midfielder put in some crunching tackles, one of which left Manvir Singh reeling on the ground, and added his name to the book. Went off in the 63rd minute for Edwin Sydney Vanspaul.

Saul Crespo- 6.5

Performed his defensive duties well, tracking back to help out. On the attack, however, he seemed to lack the precision to deliver the cutthroat final ball.

Borja Herrera – 6.5

All over the field with his physical presence, intercepting balls and forcing players to vie for the ball. Subbed off for Guita Vanlalpeka in the 76th minute.

Naorem Mahesh Singh- 6.5

Threatening presence on the left wing for East Bengal as the livewire repeatedly got on the ball and jinked past MBSG defenders. Looked to find Siverio with a laser-guided pass. Taken off in the 85th minute for Mobashir Rahman.

Javier Siverio – 6.5

Almost converted an early chance off Mahesh Singh’s cross. He linked up well with the attack before being stretchered off in the 75th minute, with Suhair VP coming on in his stead.

Substitutes

Edwin Sydney Vanspaul- 6.5

Regulated the midfield after coming on, but not as well as his Indian counterpart.

Guita Vanlalpeka- 6.5

Didn’t have much to do except defend and did it well.  

Suhair VP – 6.5

Almost got on the scoresheet if not for a sliding tackle from Subhasish Bose as he was through on goal. 

Mohammad Rakip- 6.5

Replaced Nandhakumar and helped East Bengal withdraw into a defensive mould.

Mobashir Rahman- 6.5

Tasked with covering the ground and maintaining the clean sheet, Mobashir played his part to perfection.

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