Ratings: Juan Mera shines to earn Punjab FC a point against East Bengal

This was Punjab FC’s third draw in a row.

East Bengal were held to a 0-0 draw by Punjab FC in their Indian Super League (ISL) game on Saturday (9 December) at the Salt Lake Stadium. The Red & Gold Brigade were frustrated by Punjab’s compact backline and were restricted to only one shot on target, dropping two points in the way. Here are the Player Ratings for the game.

Punjab FC’s midfield and defense displayed superb solidarity to help the club earn a draw at East Bengal’s den. Below are the player ratings of the closely fought encounter:

East Bengal (by Uttiyo Sarkar)

Prabhsukhan Gill – 6.0

Alert in his goal-line, making a few sharp saves to frustrate the forwards.

Nishu Kumar – 6.5

Nishu was proactive on the right, making four clearances and winning three duels. Created a few half-chances too, even though they weren’t that prominent.

Lalchungnunga – 7.5

The India international was rock solid, neutralizing a number of Punjab’s moves. Read the moves well and oozed confidence, making 2 tackles, 2 clearances and winning 4/4 duels.

Hijazi Maher – 7.5

Maher accompanied Nunga to maintain a strong, compact defensive line. Reacted sharply to trouble, making 6 clearances, 3 tackles and winning 5 duels.

Mandar Rao Dessai – 6.0

Mandar was quite reliable with his defensive effort and didn’t let Punjab create much through his side. His attacking contribution, however, was minimal.

Saul Crespo – 6.0

Crespo helped out defensively, winning a few tackles and duels – but was sometimes outwitted by the Punjab players. Moved the ball around nicely.

Souvik Chakrobarty – 5.5

Souvik worked hard in limiting Punjab’s movement down the central areas and made 8 possession recoveries as well as a couple of tackles. But a bit sloppy at times with his aggressive challenges.

Borja Herrera – 4.0

Borja was ousted by the Punjab midfielders and couldn’t create anything. Misplaced many passes and couldn’t bring any creative or goal-scoring threat.

Naorem Mahesh Singh – 5.0

Mahesh troubled with his movement, but his final delivery was awry. Only able to create one odd chance and lost a lot of duels.

Nandhakumar Sekar – 4.5

Nandha couldn’t replicate his heroics from the last game, being unable to create anything or come close to scoring.

Cleiton Silva – 6.0

The East Bengal captain tried his best to get things going, but most of his shots went astray. Couldn’t create much or inspire his side with anything spectacular.

Substitutes

Jose Pardo – 6.0

Pardo added a little bit more defensive protection after coming on. Tried for a spectacular late on, but saw his effort go miles wide.

Mohammad Rakip – 6.0

Rakip brought some energy to the right side, but was not able to create anything major.

PV Vishnu – 5.5

Vishnu was menacing with his movement down the left, but wasted a huge chance late on after dribbling past a few bodies but botching his shot.

Javier Siverio – N/R

Got in a nice situation to score after coming on but saw Vishnu fail to spot him there.

Aman CK – N/R

Couldn’t do much in a late cameo.

Punjab FC ratings (by Rutvij Joshi)

Kiran CK 7

Kiran was a surprising  inclusion but he justified the inclusion with a couple of very good saves. Had very little to do thanks to the commanding defense.

K. Lhungdim 7.5

Lhungdim intercepted every run and every pass which was in his stride which gave very little chance to Nandhakumar to express himself. Attacking wise he won couple of corners for his team.

Suresh Meitei 8

Suresh Meitei was solid as a rock. He gave absolutely everything and did not give an inch to Cleiton to have a shot on goal. However, he found himself lucky after his handball in the box wasn’t appealed.

Dimitri Chatziisaias 8

The 6’3 ft defender led the backline with authority and discipline not allowing any balls to go past him and making sure the team gets the clean sheet as desired.

Nitesh Darjee 7.5

Nitesh played like a warrior. He played with a bandage on his head yet  put his body on the line for every sprint that he put. His runs gave Krishananda space to move forward.

Tekcham Abhishek Singh 7.5

Tekcham’s forward runs weren’t that commanding but he combined well with Lhungdim making sure the team benefited and complemented each other.

Nikhil Prabhu 7.5

Nikhil did his homework against  Saul Crespo and played with perfection with what he was asked to do.

Ashish Pradhan 7

Ashish too worked in tandem and did not give an easy pass to penetrate in which visibly frustrated East Bengal

Krishananda Singh 6.5

Krishananda  had good opportunities to move the ball but unfortunately the unwanted exuberance got the better of him and he always bumped into East Bengal defenders.

Juan Mera 8.5

Juan Mera was by far the best player for the Shers on the pitch. He almost got the goal but unfortunately was denied by the post.  He still ran the show until the last minute but poor finishing let him down.

Luka Majcen 6

Luka Majcen had a very bad day in the office. He had two chances, both of which were squandered by trying to dummy rather than taking a shot.

Substitutes

Madih Talal 7

Madih combined well with Juan Mera ever since coming on and create one big chance for Daniel Lalhimpuia which unfortunately he couldn’t convert.

Daniel Lalhimpuia 5.5

Daniel made some proper center forward runs into the box but his finishing let his team down.

Amarjit Singh 6.5

Amarjit played a proper destroyer role in the midfield and made sure the cleansheet remains intact 

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