Ratings: Elsinho masterclass prevents East Bengal victory

East Bengal were limited to a stalemate against a gritty Jamshedpur FC side.

East Bengal FC started off their ISL 2023-24 season with a 0-0 draw against Jamshedpur FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Monday. The Torchbearers created some gilt-edged chances in the first half. However, the best of them were kept out by the individual brilliance of defender Elsinho and goalkeeper TP Rehenesh.

Jamshedpur FC came close too, with Nongdamba Naorem dribbling past three players but somehow managing to delay his finish. Daniel Chima Chukwu tied Jose Pardo in his own laces on one instance but the Nigerian hit his shot wide of the post.

After a goalless first half, the sides re-emerged invigorated but had no significant chances on target for 90 minutes. In the initial seven minutes of stoppage time, Emil Benny was sent off for simulating a foul by Saul Crespo. His dismissal was however reviewed and overturned as a booking only. The match eventually ended in a draw and both sides went home with a point each.

Here are the player ratings for the game: 

East Bengal FC (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill - 6.5

Quiet evening for the shot-stopper as he only had to make one save and punch out one ball from a corner.

Nishu Kumar - 6.5

Marauded down the right and did a good job tracking the likes of Imran Khan and Alen Stevanovic. Went off in the 76th minute for Edwin Vanspaul with one successful take-on, interception, and tackle each.

Harmanjot Khabra - 6.5

The versatile captain was fielded at centre-back instead of his preferred right-back position, but helped his side out in quite a few sticky situations with a calm head borne out of experience. Was seen hollering at his side after each of the six interceptions he made.

Jose Pardo - 6.5

Dominant start for the Spaniard as he took advantage of the burly Chima Chukwu’s physicality against him and intercepted balls into the strikers’ feet promptly. Managed to be bypassed a few times as he lost his footing and went into the book following one such occasion, but made six vital clearances and three interceptions overall.

Mandar Rao Dessai - 6.5

Pushed up high at times and was good on the back foot, defending Jamshedpur’s counters adeptly and often. Won his only defensive duel but didn’t really contribute any numbers to attack.

Saul Crespo - 6.5

Played well as the orchestrator and defensive shield in front of the backline with 12 duels won out of 14, two successful take-ons, and an 86% passing accuracy.

Nandhakumar Sekar - 6.5

Uncharacteristically uneventful match for the usually direct winger, who did complete 50% of his take-ons and generated three key passes but couldn’t affect the scoresheet.

Souvik Chakrabarti - 6

Rough challenges, skied shots, and mispasses in the defensive half summarised Souvik's first half. Substituted in the 57th minute after winning three out of five defensive duels. Was shown a yellow card too!

Borja Herrera - 6.5

Switched with Mahesh to drift out to the wing and generated East Bengal’s best chance with his wand of a left foot as he swiveled in a cross only for Siverio to narrowly mis-poking it home. Went off in the 57th minute to give way to Cleiton Silva.

Naorem Mahesh Singh - 6.5

Dangerous from the start as he was lurking on the wings. Combined well with Mandar to advance upwards and swerve in potentially threatening low crosses for Siverio to attack. Not effective intaking on opponents however, as neither of his two attempts were successful.

Javier Siverio - 6.5

Made runs in behind and harrowed the Men of Steel. Popped up in dangerous half-spaces but managed one big chance and had three shots off target.   

Substitutes

Cleiton Silva - 6.5

The Brazilian was not in his usual game-changing self but his zero shots on target could be down to the lack of game-time.

Mohamad Rakip - 6.5

After he was brought in, Nishu shifted to a left-winger role. Rakip made one successful clearance which saw Jamshedpur FC receive a corner.

Edwin Sydney Vanspaul - 6

Thirteen minutes was too less for the right-back to have an impact but he still managed to win all three of his ground duels. 

Vanlalpeka Guite- N/A

Jamshedpur FC (By Gourav Samal)

Rehnesh TP - 7.5

Rehenesh was good throughout the game. But it was during the end of the first half when he was tested much.

Elsinho - 9

If Elsinho wouldn't have been present, Jamshedpur FC would have succumbed to East Bengal's attack. Was adjudged the player of the match. He recorded 11 clearances tied for the second most by any JFC player in ISL (Tiri vs NorthEast on 18 November 2017).

Laldinpuia - 6.5

The defender did some good tackles in the second half to keep East Bengal silent and goalless.

Pratik Chowdhury - 6

Pratik had a low par game as per his standard. He was good at short passes but lacked having the impact on the game. Could have given away a penalty in the second half when the ball hit his arm, albeit unintentionally, but in such cases we have seen the referee award a spot-kick.

Jeremy Manzorro - 6.5

Although Jeremy won some free-kicks and had some shots on target, nothing bore fruit for the midfielder.

Pronay Halder - 6

Pranoy was not at all satisfying in the first half. It looked like, along with other midfielders, he is also unable to read the game of East Bengal. But he came back well in the second half and also tried a goal-bound attempt with the outside of his foot.

Imran Khan - 7

Imran was seen covering the field very well. He was very much influential in the forward region and the East Bengal full-backs had to keep a check on him. He won the possession back in the defensive third 10 times, joint second-most by any player in a single game in ISL (after Memo did 13 vs FC Goa on 19 Feb).

Nikhil Barla - 6

Nikhil looked quite good but that was in the second half of play. In the first half, his game was mostly exploited by the East Bengal midfielders.

Daniel Chima - 6.5

At times, Chima created some lovely opportunities while running inside the box or giving the right passes but unfortunately they were not converted. 

Alan Stevanovic - 7

Alan was quite instrumental at the front line. He even had some great moments in the game, but at the end couldn’t find the right ending. Should be selfish in front of goal at times!

Nongdomba Naorem - 6.5

Naorem controlled the front line throughout the whole match. Even till the very end of the game, he was running hard and trying to convert half chances.

Substitutes

Semboi Haokip - 5.5

The substitute missed an easy chance in the 83rd minute which was just a touch away from leveling up the score.

Rei Tachikawa - 6

Tachikawa replaced Chima and looked good in the midfield region. However, he couldn’t create the impact that was needed for the side.

Ricky Lallawmawma - 5.5

Ricky was replaced to bring some defensive solidity.

Emil Benny - 5

Benny replaced Alan Stevanovic in the 76th minute. He was seen giving some tactical passes, both long and short ones. But the player had a funny moment when he was first given a red card, which was later changed to a yellow by the referee.