Ratings: Team game from Mohun Bagan leads them to a semi-final berth

Mohun Bagan will face FC Goa in the semis

Mohun Bagan stormed into the semi-finals of the 2023 Durand Cup with a commendable 3-1 win over Mumbai City FC in the quarter-final game on Sunday, 27 August. The Mariners took the lead through an early Jason Cummings’ penalty, before Jorge Pereyra Diaz scored the equalizer.

However, two thumping headers from Manvir Singh and Anwar Ali sealed an important win for Juan Ferrando’s side, who will now face FC Goa in the semi-final. Here are the Player Ratings for the game.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant (by Uttiyo Sarkar)

Vishal Kaith – 5.0

Kaith had a bit of a wobbly game, making an error in judgement and failing to cllec thet cors leading to Mumbai’s goal. Recovered after that, doing well to collect their crosses and make a few saves.

Anwar Ali – 7.5

Ali continues to be a revelation for the Green and Maroon Bridge, on both sides of the pitch. Scored another superb header to provide extra filling to his side’s lead. Defensively pretty good, even though he was a bit sloppy for the Mumbai goal, and moved the ball around nicely.

Rafael Yuste – 7.5

Yuste commanded over a sturdy backline that frustrated the Islanders and restricted them to few glaring chances. Kept a tight mark on the forwards and made some clutch challenges to avert trouble.

Subashish Bose – 6.5

The Mohun Bagan captain was quite reliable on the left, not allowing the Islanders to create that many clear-cut chances and holding together a solid backline.

Manvir Singh – 7.5

Manvir operated in a pretty deep wide role, but that didn’t stop him from being a problem on the right. Timed his runs well, won a lot of duels and scored a smart header.

Anirudh Thapa – 6.0

Thapa moved the ball forward really well from his deeper role, making some great passes and doing well with his set-pieces. He did, however, struggle defensively – being outwitted by the Mumbai midfielders and failing to track Stewart’s run for the equalizer.

Sahal Abdul Samad – 7.0

Sahal linked up really well with his teammates and worked hard to get into promising positions in the final third. Orchestrated a number of attacks and got his assist by dinking a great cross for Anwar’s strike, after which he got taken off.

Hugo Boumous – 7.0

Boumous seems to be thriving in his new-found free role at Mohun Bagan and moved the ball forward smartly. Created some nice chances and smartly picked out Manvir for his goal.

Ashique Kuruniyan – 7.5

Ashique was menacing on the left, timing his runs well and being sharper with his passes. Made a perfect pass to send Cummings through to earn his penalty. Created a number of chances all game long and showcased an impressive desire to continuously beat his man, while also contributing a lot defensively.

Armando Sadiku – 4.5

Sadiku had a bit of an uneventful outing, failing to get that involved in his side’s attack. Had a big chance to score in the second half but completely fluffed it.

Jason Cummings – 8.0

The Australian forward proved why he’s valued so highly, being a major influence in his side’s attack. Really busy with his impressive link-up play and tormented Mumbai’s defenders with his movement. Won his penalty superbly and then slotted it away nicely. Influenced a lot of attacking moves and kept the defenders guessing.

Subs

Dimitri Petratos – 6.5

Petratos returned from a spell of illness to be a menace towards the end, creating some decent chances with his smart delivery in the final third.

Glan Martins – 6.0

Martins added more steel and energy to the midfield, ensuring that his side saw out the game without trouble.

Liston Colaco – 6.0

Colaco made some speedy runs after coming on, but unable to get on the end of any prominent chances.

Kiyan Nassiri – N/R

Nassiri made a very late cameo for the Mariners.

Mumbai City FC (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Phurba Tempa Lachenpa – 6

Seemed jittery as Buckingham’s trusted last line of defense as his mistimed rush-out led to a foul on Jason Cummings which gifted him a penalty. Phurba read the shot accurately but failed to smother it in his gloves and went on to get substituted due to injury in the 75th minute. 

Rahul Bheke- 5.5

Went into the book for bundling over Liston and looked nervy throughout the game. 

Mehtab Singh – 6

Escaped scrutiny for a dangerous elbow on Sahal but was athletic as ever, standing tall to deny the Bagan attackers.

Yoell Van Nieff- 5.5

Was given corner duties for the day but had poor defensive positioning and was moved up the pitch into defensive midfield after Rostyn Griffiths came on. Wasteful with his long shots and decision-making.  

Akash Mishra – 6

Restricted his overlaps as he helped out the Islanders’ midfield with underlaps instead. Evaded his marker whenever going forward but lacked precision with the final ball and was taken off at halftime for Vikram Pratap Singh.

Apuia Ralte – 6

Progressive play saw him go up the pitch and try a few shots as he was always looking to create chances rather than just sit back and shield his back four. Came off in the 86th minute to let Gurkirat Singh have a go.  

Greg Stewart- 6.5

The Twinkle-toed Scotsman glided past Ferrando’s men with ease but was choked when it came to the final ball delivery as zonal pressing got the better of him. His highlight of the game was a trademark skip-past-marker-and-curl-one-into-the-far-post but it only managed to graze the post.  

Alberto Noguera – 7

Threaded passes through to his teammates and made dangerous runs into space as his delivery fell into Diaz’s path. Gave way to Rostyn Griffiths for more defensive reinforcement in the 68th minute.

Lallianzuala Chhangte- 6.5

Had to drop back too deep to help out Bheke with the blistering pace of Liston Colaco on the break after allowing Manvir a free header on goal. Quick feet helped him advance along the touchline all the way to the Mariners’ goal.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz- 7

In the right place at the right time to convert Noguera’s tame cross which was misjudged by Kaith and reduce Mumbai’s 2-goal deficit. 

Bipin Singh- 6

Ineffective once again, scuffing a possible volley at the brink of halftime. Managed to better his contribution with a few more crosses in the second half.

Substitutes

Vikram Pratap Singh- 6.5

Lively presence down the right wing making central runs to attack headers, as well as allowing Chhangte to tuck inside and be a more direct threat. Went into the book for a rash challenge on Subhasish Bose.

Rostyn Griffiths- 6

Held down the fort allowing Mumbai to advance and not concede any more goals although it was done to sheer luck as Bagan failed to capitalise on the openings courtesy of silly mispasses.  

Mohammad Nawaz- 6

Horrible distribution from the back during the dying stages gave Bagan more chances to pile on the pressure. Made it up with a flying punch which led to a counter-attack.

Gurkirat Singh- 6

His electric pace was probably the only positive as he visibly needs a lot more polishing and fine-tuning to refine his end product.

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