Ratings: Victor Rodriguez shines in FC Goa's comeback win against East Bengal

FC Goa have won opening three matches of ISL 2023-24

In a thrilling match, FC Goa managed to stage a comeback against East Bengal, maintaining their 100% record in the 2023-24 edition of the Indian Super League. East Bengal dominated the first half and took the lead with a spectacular goal from Mahesh Singh Naorem.

However, the second half saw FC Goa come out with a bang, scoring two quick goals that propelled them ahead and ultimately led to their victory.

Ratings of the game are below

East Bengal (By Gourav Samal)

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill (Gk) - 7

Gill possessed an imposing presence within the team. He displayed exceptional goal-saving abilities, although his performance could have been further enhanced if the defender had provided better assistance. 

Jose Antonio Pardo - 6.5

Pardo displayed excellent defensive skills as he effectively intercepted key passes, particularly demonstrating proficiency in blocking Martinez's crosses.

Lal Chungnunga - 6.5

Lalchungnunga displayed proficiency in the defensive region; however, there were instances in which a more aggressive approach could have maintained the match in favour of his team.

Mandar Rao Dessai - 7

Mandar performed adequately in terms of dealing with crucial crosses but was unable to assist his team in securing a crucial point.

Mohamad Rakip - 6.5

Rakip demonstrated proficiency in short passes, however, he appeared disoriented when attempting to tackle Brandon throughout a significant portion of the game.

Harmanjot Singh Khabra - 7

Khabra performed admirably in the defensive line and displayed great effectiveness on the left flank. He demonstrated prowess in making interceptions and executing tackles throughout the game.

Saul Crespo - 7.5

Saul confronted McHugh directly and effectively, managing to draw a foul from him. His performance in the forward area displayed a tactful approach.

Naorem Mahesh Singh - 7

Mahesh performed admirably alongside Mandar on the left flank, and he also managed to secure the first goal of the match in the 41st minute.

Nandha Kumar - 6

Nandhakumar provided a valuable assist, however, his decision-making skills were occasionally subpar. He displayed competence with certain passes but lacked the necessary intensity in midfield.

Javier Siverio - 6

Siverio's performance in the match was rather underwhelming, as he only managed to take one shot on target and failed to effectively connect with his fellow forwards. 

Cleiton Silva - 6.5

Cleiton positioned himself between the defence, however, he was unable to convert the opportunities presented to him. Furthermore, he managed to hit the target with only one shot.

Substitutes

Borja Herrera - 7

Came onto the field in the 45th minute as a substitute for Javi. Managed to draw some fouls towards the end of the game, but could have had a more impactful performance considering their skill level.

Nishu Kumar - 6.5

Nishu Kumar was substituted for Mohammad Rakip in the 66th minute. He made an attempt to gain better control over the right flank but occasionally fell short of showcasing his full potential.

P V Vishnu - 5.5

Vishnu was substituted for Mahesh in the 80th minute, however, he did not have the same notable influence on the match as Mahesh.

Souvik Chakrabarti - 5.5

Souvik was substituted for Khabra in the 80th minute. He demonstrated proficiency in executing short passes, although his performance in delivering long crosses was not optimal.

FC Goa (By Rutvij Joshi)

Arshdeep Singh 6

Arshdeep's decision-making and communication were clearly evident as he conceded two corners to East Bengal in the first half. He performed decently in shot-stopping, but unfortunately, he couldn't do anything to prevent the spectacular goal scored by Mahesh.

Seriton Fernandes 7

Seriton began the game on a strong note and consistently posed a threat down the right flank. However, his performance in defence was inconsistent, as both Mandar and Mahesh managed to get behind him and deliver crosses into the box.

Sandesh Jhingan 7

Sandesh Jhingan is currently going through a rough patch in terms of form, and unfortunately, things didn't align for him in today's game. Cleiton managed to exploit the gaps in the FC Goa defence on several occasions. However, a lack of precision in finishing meant that FC Goa remained in contention in the game. However, he scored the equaliser in the second half turning the tides for FC Goa

Odei Onaindia 6

Odei OnaIndia, much like his defensive partner Sandesh Jhingan, had a rough start to the game. However, as the match progressed, their performance improved. Unfortunately, despite the improvements, the team ended up conceding a goal.

Jay Gupta 5

After delivering two impressive performances for FC Goa, the game against East Bengal proved to be a valuable learning experience for the young Jay Gupta. Jay's relative inexperience was evident in this match, particularly in his positioning, which was a significant weakness. Nandha managed to get behind him, leaving the team vulnerable during transitional play.

Carl McHugh 5.5

Carl McHugh had the potential to assert his authority in the heart of FC Goa's midfield, but his tendency to make rash challenges and his physical presence didn't have a positive impact on the game.

Raynier Fernandes 5

Raynier had a very poor game in controlling the midfield in the first half and was duly replaced at Half Time.

Brandon Fernandes 8

Brandon continued to be a persistent menace on the left wing, consistently posing a threat to the East Bengal defence. However, his performance was cut short as he suffered an injury and had to be substituted in the 51st minute.

Victor Rodriguez 9

Victor Rodriguez was not initially slated to start the game, but an injury to the talismanic Noah Sadaoui during the warm-up forced him into the starting lineup. He certainly justified his inclusion by scoring a goal and providing an assist for his team during the match.

Udanta Singh 6

Udanta Singh's history of poor decision-making was once again on display in this game. Despite being deployed on both wings throughout the match, he failed to make a meaningful contribution to the team's victory.

Carlos Martinez 8.5

Carlos Martinez undeniably delivered his best performance of the season in this game. His exceptional aerial presence and movement in the box were standout features of his performance. He also played a crucial role by providing an assist for Victor Rodriguez's goal.

Substitutions

Rowlin Borges 6

Rowlin replaced Raynier at halftime and made a significant impact by effectively controlling the midfield. His presence brought a sense of calm to the side, which ultimately played a key role in the team's comeback and the final score turning in their favour at 2-1.

Paulo Retre 7

Paulo was brought on to replace Carl McHugh, who had an inconsistent performance during the game. Paulo assumed a position right in front of the defence and effectively shielded the backline, making it difficult for East Bengal to break through and penetrate the defence.

Boris Singh 6.5

Boris, The Indian U-23 international, who came on to replace Brandon, was positioned as a right winger. He performed admirably against Mandar and was successful in avoiding any critical mistakes during his time on the pitch.