Ratings: Jerry shines as Odisha FC outwit Chennaiyin at home

The Juggernauts began the season on a high with a resounding victory and clean sheet against the Marina Machans.

Odisha FC won their opening ISL 2023-24 game against Chennaiyin FC by a 2-0 margin at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday. A defensive lapse at the brink of half-time allowed Jerry Mawihmingthanga to get the break for the Juggernauts. Sergio Lobera’s side looked immensely sharp and kept piling on the pressure as Roy Krishna came off for last season’s Golden Boot winner Diego Mauricio.

The Brazilian was shortly on the scoresheet as he pounced on Ankit Mukherjee’s horrible backpass under pressure, sped past Bikash Yumnam and slotted it past Samik Mitra. Odisha saw out the game and did not allow Chennaiyin FC any more shots on target as they ended the clash with three points and a clean-sheet.

Here are the ratings for the game:

Odisha FC (By Gourav Samal)

Amrinder Singh - 7.5

The Captain was again at his best. Not only did he make some great saves but also commanded the backline quite well on the field. 

Amey Ranawade - 7

Ranawade not just controlled the defence line but at times was seen moving ahead. He also gave a brilliant pass which was just a touch away from getting converted into a goal.

Carlos Delgado - 7

Delgado was mostly seen controlling the left flank of the defensive third. He made important clearances which could have turned into a threat for the team.     

Serigne Mourtada Fall - 6.5

In the first half, it seemed like Mourtada was not over the red card he received in his previous match. Lacked the aggressive approach. But he raised his game in the second half. 

Jerry Lalrinzuala - 6.5

Jerry had some clinical moments while defending the attacks of the opponent. 

Puitea - 6.5

Although the midfielder was good at some passes, but overall looked average on the field. Could have been more instrumental while looking for long passes. 

Ahmed Jahouh - 6.5

Although lost possession a few times, he was good at both long and short passes. 

Isak Vanlalruatfela - 6

Got beautiful scoring opportunities in the 23rd and 73rd minutes but couldn’t convert them. 

Lenny Rodrigues - 7

Lenny was quite operative in the midfield. He even delivered some good crosses into the box, but unfortunately those were not converted into goals. 

Jerry Mawihmingthanga - 7.5

Jerry scored the first goal for the Juggernauts with a left-footed curler. He controlled the forward line most of the time as Roy Krishna looked out of touch in the game.

Roy Krishna - 6.5

Krishna had a disappointing outing as per his standard. The forward lacked the threat he previously possessed.

Substitutes

Diego Mauricio - 7

Mauricio just didn’t replace Krishna but encouraged the momentum of the team. He also scored the second goal in the 63rd minute. 

Princeton Rebello - 6

Princeton replaced Puitea in the 79th minute. Although he had a few minutes in hand, he was quite tactical while defending the opposition attacks.

Sahil Panwar - N/A

Laldinliana R - N/A

Chennaiyin FC (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Samik Mitra - 6

Could have done better to claim Amey Ranawade’s cross rather than pummel it onto Jerry’s path who curled it past him for Odisha’s opener.

Ankit Mukherjee - 5.5

Strong start from the right-back in possession but he picked up a yellow after rushing Isak and bundling him over in the 42nd minute. Went on to assist Diego Mauricio after a horrible back pass in the 63rd minute and was withdrawn in the 81st minute for Romario Jesuraj.

Bikash Yumnam - 5.5

Almost turned in the leveller but was at fault for allowing Jerry to get his shot on target as well as being unable to catch upto Diego Mauricio. Not very active in defending on the back foot as he lost 50% of both his aerial and ground duels.

Lazar Cirkovic- 6

The towering centre-half was a vigilant presence at the back and during set-pieces, as he almost teed up his defensive partner Bikash for the equaliser. Came off for Ryan Edwards after winning five of his six aerial duels and losing out only once to Mourtada Fall, who climbed atop him and gave away a free-kick. 

Aakash Sangwan - 6.5

Bombed forward at the slightest opportunity, after some good one-touch passing and managed to rush to the byline and put in a scrumptious ball for Connor Shields in the 43rd minute only for him to miss it. Made two interceptions and two tackles but lost 60% of his ground duels. 

Cristian Battocchio - 6.5

Dropped in between the Cirkovic and Bikash often to add numbers to the defence and keep it compact down the middle. Also made two key passes and won three out of his four ground tussles.

Jiteshwor Singh - 6.5

Skillful in possession as one of the number sixes, evading pressure and spraying out and completing 89% of his passes to the full-backs and wingers. Taken off at the hour mark for Ninthoi Meetei to enter the fray after successfully winning four ground duels and his only aerial battle. 

Farukh Choudhary - 6.5

Pegged back and couldn’t play his best football. Chennaiyin were caught off guard on the break more often than not. Completed one successful take-on and 81% of his duels, but only got one of his four crosses to hit the mark. 

Rafael Crivellaro - 6

Had one of Chennaiyin FC’s best chances of the game but smothered it against Amrinder Singh. Crivellaro got completely snuffed out afterwards by Puitea and Jahouh, as he couldn’t generate any key passes.

Ayush Adhikari - 6

Drifted inside and played as a mezzala to try and pierce into the central corridor of Odisha’s strong defence. But was overpowered, as he lost 70% of his defensive duels and couldn’t contribute anything crucial.

Connor Shields - 6

Looked a little off colour as he seemed to just come up short in getting the decisive touch in the final third. Soiled his finest opportunity at the brink of half-time by misjudging a clean header off Sangwan’s measured cross. Was subbed off for Murray in the 67th minute with only one key pass and one shot off-target.   

Substitutes

Ninthoi Meetei - 6.5

Brought power and pace to Chennaiyin’s attack as he was seen bursting down the inside-right channel, playing a quick one-two with Murray to be released on goal and only being foiled by a fully stretched Amrinder.

Jordan Murray - 6.5

More effective than Shields. Dribbled past his markers and combined well with Meetei.

Ryan Edwards - 6.5

Chased Diego Mauricio like a shadow and was more active than Cirkovic, dribbling out from the back and helping out his midfielders. 

Romario Jesuraj- N/A