Ratings: Lone goal from Martinez help FC Goa conquer Punjab FC

Punjab FC are yet to win a match in ISL

FC Goa started their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with a hard fought and lucky win against new comers Punjab FC with a score line of 1-0. The deciding goal was struck at the 17th minute by Carlos Martinez.

FC Goa dominated the proceedings for the major part of the game but had very few goal scoring opportunities. The Goan side was lucky that an equaliser from Punjab FC was wrongly called offside. In short, the game was very good and here are the ratings.

Here are the player ratings:

FC Goa

Arshdeep Singh- 8

Arshdeep had little defensive involvement apart  as FC Goa's solid midfield and defense left Punjab FC attackers with minimal room to maneuver, ensuring they had no breathing space throughout the match.

Seriton Fernandes- 7

Seriton's defensive presence on the right was rock-solid, effectively nullifying Krishananda Singh and Madih Talal's attempts to cut inside. He also collaborated seamlessly with the midfield, with FC Goa predominantly attacking from the opposite wing.

Sandesh Jhingan- 8

Sandesh exhibited excellent defensive prowess, effectively coordinating his teammates and outsmarting the inexperienced Punjab FC attackers on multiple occasions. Additionally, he displayed remarkable physical strength when dealing with crosses, and his bravery shone through as he fearlessly intercepted passes intended for the opposing attackers.

Odei OnaIndia- 8

Odei Onaindia's composure in distributing the ball and his positioning brought a reassuring presence to the defense. He displayed unwavering commitment by putting his body on the line, ensuring no crosses reached the striker.

Jay Gupta- 7

Youngster Jay Gupta remained composed throughout the match, displaying no signs of nervousness. He played a significant role in the team's offensive efforts, forming a strong partnership with the agile Noah Sadaoui and team captain Brandon Fernandes. Notably, Fernandes and Sadaoui frequently exchanged positions on the left side, further enhancing their attacking synergy.

Carl Mchugh- 7.5

Carl McHugh executed his role flawlessly, positioning himself effectively just in front of the defense. He displayed no hesitation in strategically fouling opponents during defensive transitions, showcasing his commitment to maintaining a solid defensive stance.

Raynier Fernandes- 7

Raynier formed a midfield partnership with Carl and demonstrated his experience and maturity by orchestrating precise passes during both defensive and offensive transitions.

Brandon Fernandes- 8

Brandon delivered an exemplary captain's performance for Goa, continuously generating scoring opportunities for his team. He effectively utilized his freedom in the midfield role, contributing not only to the attack but also providing defensive support whenever needed.

Udanta Singh- 7

Udanta had minimal involvement on the right flank due to the majority of the team's attacks originating from the opposite side. However, whenever he had possession of the ball, he maintained a keen eye on his teammates and played a valuable role in advancing the team's offensive efforts

Noah Sadaoui- 8

The Moroccan winger showcased his trademark style by consistently running at Punjab FC's defense, using his dribbling skills to great effect. His synergy with Brandon was evident as they seamlessly exchanged positions, adding a new dimension to the team's attack.

Carlos Martinez- 8.5

Carlos had an impressive first half, capping it off with a superb finish that found the back of the net past Kiran Chemjong. However, as the game continued, his impact waned, and he was substituted just after the one-hour mark.

Substitutions

Boris Singh- 7

Boris took over Udanta's position on the right flank, and although he had limited offensive opportunities, he contributed effectively. However, he struggled to deliver accurate passes into the box for his teammates.

Rowlin Borges- 6

Rowlin Borges was brought in to replace Raynier Fernandes, but he couldn't replicate the same impact. He appeared to be lacking match fitness, often lagging behind in his movements and not contributing as effectively as desired.

Victor Rodrigues- 5

Victor Rodrigues had two late opportunities to score, but Kiran made crucial saves on both occasions, preventing him from finding the back of the net.

Devendra Murgaokar- N/A

Punjab FC

Kiran Chemjong- 6.5

The Nepalese goalkeeper initially showed some clumsiness but gained confidence as the match unfolded. While he made two impressive saves, he could have done better to prevent the first goal.

K Lhungdim- 6.5

It was a challenging task for the young Lhungdim to contain the dynamic duo of Noah and Brandon. Nevertheless, he made intermittent contributions by limiting their space to maneuver and occasionally disrupting their play, albeit in fragments.

Melroy Assisi- 6

Opting to maintain a high defensive line against FC Goa was a bold decision given the inexperience of the defenders. Melroy did make a few errors, but he was fortunate not to face any severe consequences for those mistakes.

Nikhil Prabhu- 6

Nikhil Prabhu had a mixed birthday experience as his team lost to his former side. He performed well individually, helping to keep Punjab in the game and effectively dealing with long balls due to his towering presence.

Mohammed Salah- 7

Mohammed Salah had a decent performance, linking up effectively with the midfield and exploiting spaces on the left. He delivered good through balls, but unfortunately, the attackers couldn't capitalize on them.

Ashish Pradhan- 5

Ashish Pradhan had a forgettable game in midfield, as FC Goa consistently penetrated through the left side. He struggled to mark Brandon and was occasionally caught ball-watching.

Brandon Vanlalremdika- 5

Brandon Vanlalremdika also had a tough outing, getting overrun and often being out of position.

Medih Talal- 7.5

Medih Talal was a standout player for Punjab, playing in various positions behind the striker in an attempt to equalize. Unfortunately, his efforts did not lead to any goals

Krishananda Singh- 6.5

Krishananda Singh missed a crucial opportunity to score and had some positive moments but was caught offside due to the opposition's offside traps.

Juan Mera- 6

Juan Mera began the game well but lacked support from his teammates as the match progressed, leading to frustration and a few mistakes.

Luka Majcen- 7

Luka Majcen was unfortunate to be called offside for an equalizing goal but struggled overall. His movements were often late, giving FC Goa's defense some breathing space.

Substitutions

Prasanth K- 6

Prasanth was introduced to give a different dimension to Punjab FC’s attack. He nearly provided assist for an equaliser for Majcen but was unlucky to be called offside.

Kingslee Fernandes- 6

Kingslee controlled proceedings in the midfield for the Punjab based side. He also helped the team in the offensive moves.

Ranjeet Pandre- 5

Ranjeet Pandre provided fresh legs in midfield but failed to have any mark in the game.

Dimitri Chatzisiaiss- 7

 The Greek defender provided defensive solidarity ever since his inclusion in the second half and showed exactly what the team missed in the first half.

Wilmar Gil- 5.5

Wilmar Gil replaced Luka Majcen around the 70th minute but failed to have any impact in the game. He lost duels against Sandesh Jhinghan and overall he was very poor.