Ratings: Javi's stunner helps Bengaluru FC outwit East Bengal

This was Bengaluru FC's first victory in ISL 2023-24.

Bengaluru FC picked up their first win of the 2023-24 Indian Super League (ISL) season with a hard-fought 2-1 win over East Bengal at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday (October 4). The Red & Gold Brigade took the lead in the 15th minute, thanks to a fantastic solo effort from Naorem Mahesh Singh.

However, the hosts mounted an impressive comeback – with Sunil Chhetri winning and converting a controversial penalty in the 21st minute. Javi Hernandez then scored a beautiful overhead kick in the 72nd minute to win it for his side. Here are the player ratings from the game.

East Bengal (by Uttiyo Sarkar)

Prabhsukhan Gill – 5.0

Gill couldn’t really do much about Sunil Chhetri's penalty, but couldn’t react quickly enough to stop Javi’s strike either. Failed to make any saves in the game.

Nishu Kumar – 6.0

Nishu was a bit overly aggressive at times against his former side, but won quite a lot of duels against Sunil Chhetri and kept things relatively quiet down his side.

Lalchungnunga – 6.5

The India international put in a solid shift in his first game back from the Asian Games. He was proactive, making four clearances and six possession recoveries.

Jose Pardo – 6.0

The Spaniard was mostly agile with his clearances, but was occasionally outwitted by sudden movements in the box. Unable to react quickly enough to block Javi’s goal.

Mandar Rao Dessai – 5.0

Mandar was very unlucky to concede a dodgy penalty after being goaded into it by Chhetri. However, he was a bit shaky all through the game and looked uncomfortable against the pacy attacks. Made little attacking impact.

Harmanjot Khabra – 6.0

Khabra did well with recovering possession, making 10 recoveries and moving the ball around nicely. Had little creative influence though.

Saul Crespo – 7.0

Saul was very efficient with his passing and was a vigilant figure in finding space for his teammates. Created four scoring chances and won two tackles too, but was not rewarded for his heroics.

Borja Herrera – 5.5

Borja failed to impose himself in the game, not being as innovative or dangerous with his passing. Sloppily lost a key duel leading to Javi’s strike.

Naorem Mahesh Singh – 8.0

Mahesh almost turned into Leo Messi for a few seconds, dancing past multiple players to score his stunning goal. Then he set up a huge chance for Nandhakumar Sekar in the second half which the latter missed. He set up three chances, tormented defenders with his movement and was again an exciting livewire in East Bengal’s attack.

Nandhakumar Sekar – 5.0

Nandha got the assist for Mahesh’s strike, but apart from that, he was quite poor. Had the most shot attempts (5) but failed to test the keeper. Blasted a huge chance over the bar in the second half, which could’ve possibly won his side the game.

Cleiton Silva – 5.5

Cleiton couldn’t exactly replicate his heroics from the last game. He did create a few decent chances, but couldn’t trouble Gurpreet in goal and hit a free-kick attempt at him.

Substitutes

Javier Siverio – 5.5

Siverio was a bit menacing with his movement, but was unable to create or get himself at the end of any chances.

Souvik Chakrabarti – 6.0

Souvik added more energy to his side’s backline after coming on, ensuring they didn’t concede more.

PV Vishnu – N/A

The young forward moved around nicely but failed to make an impact in a late cameo.

https://twitter.com/KhelNow/status/1709606943776723234

Bengaluru FC (By Analoy Majumder) 

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu - 7.0

Gurpreet had a fair game as he was not tested enough, thanks to the defensive partnership of Parag and Slavko. He made afew saves and delivered key passes when Bengaluru FC were initiating their counter-attacks. 

Parag Shrivas - 7.5

Parag Shrivas was exceptional in the defensive line. He effectively stopped East Bengal players from finding the final third with a number of outstanding interceptions.He acted as a defensive shield by reducing the opportunity for the opponent to score goals.

Slavko Damjanovic - 7.5

Slavko was decent enough at the back as he was able to keep Cleiton Silva under bay. However, he was easily dodged by Mahesh in the build-up to East Bengal’s first goal.. Otherwise, Slavko’s positioning at the back helped Bengaluru FC to be rigid when it came to defending crosses. 

Jessel Carneiro - 6.5

Jessel engaged in the attacking movements of BFC and displayed good overlapping. He simultaneously displayed outstanding defensive abilities while holding Naorem Mahesh in check..

Namgyal Bhutia - 7.0

Bhutia displayed impressive ball control during today's match. He made several attempts to deliver defence-splitting passes, but unfortunately, there was a lack of movement up top to capitalize on those opportunities and find the back of the net.

Javi Hernández - 9.0

Javi is a big game player and he proved it again at the Kanteerava stadium tonight. Javi scored one of the best goals of this season with a stupendous overhead kick, and that created a difference between the two sides and ensured the first win for Bengaluru FC in this ISL season. Throughout the match, he made key passes to the final third and had a very positive impact. 

Rohit Kumar - 6.0

Rohit had a poor game in the middle of the park. He was not able to play up to his class as he kept on misplacing passes which led to goal-scoring opportunities for East Bengal.He conceded a yellow card in the game as well. Rohit lost ball possession quite a number of times as he was visibly missing his midfield partner (Suresh) in the middle of the park. 

Harsh Patre - 6.5

Harsh started for Bengaluru FC as their first choice midfielder Suresh Singh was out due to suspension. He tried to capitalize on this opportunity and his main role was to minimize the attacking prowess of East Bengal, which he was successful in.. 

Ryan Williams - 7.0

Williams today tried to make himself noticed on the pitch but was unable to yield a positive impact. In the middle of the field, he was able to intercept a couple of balls, but he was unable to capitalize on these chances to do anything significant. His attempts to take advantage of the space between East Bengal's full-backs were clear, but they didn't produce any noticeable outcomes.

Curtis Main - 6.5

Curtis Main played a decent game but has lots to improve in his game-play. With such a powerful pedigree under his belt, Main could have been more lethal when it came to finishing. He was a bit slow while reaching out to the crosses which were floated from the wings.The trio of Ryan-Chhetri-Main can be scoring tons of goals in the long run, provided they build a solid chemistry.

Sunil Chhetri 8.5

After his engagement with the Indian national team for a while, Sunil is back in the ISL scoring his 57th goal with a cheeky and controversial penalty. He played just behind Curtis Main and tried to bridge the midfield and the attacking line of BFC. His smart-positioning and ability to find gaps were lethal throughout the match. 

Substitutes :  

Rohit Danu - 6.0

Rohit Danu, subbed in during the second half, displayed solid midfield performance. He executed several crucial passes during the tenure, but unfortunately his side couldn't bag a goal despite his contributions in the attacking play.

Aleksandar Jovanovic - 5.5

Jovanovic significantly enhanced the final result of the match when he came in to strengthen the defence after Bengaluru FC had taken a 2-1 lead. Towards the end, he made a number of key interceptions to keep the team's defensive solidity intact.

Robin Yadav - 6.0

Robin was introduced in the second half to aggravate the backline of Bengaluru FC. He defended well till the end.  

Lalremtluanga Fanai - 5.5

Fanai was brought on during the last few minutes of the game as Simon Grayson wanted to inject fresh legs in the middle of the park. The 19-year-old couldn’t make any positive impact and received a yellow card while defending. 

Kezia Veendorp - 5.5

Kezia joined the game in the dying moments to add defensive cover.