Ratings: Fletcher lone warrior in Gokulam's loss to Bashundhara Kings

The Malabarians bowed out of the AFC Cup with a single win in three games.

Gokulam Kerala bowed out of the AFC Cup 2022 with a 2-1 defeat against Bashundhara Kings on Tuesday. The second consecutive loss means the Malabarians will finish at the bottom of Group D. Needing a win to keep their hopes of making the knockouts alive, Gokulam Kerala fell behind to a Robson da Silva stunner in the 36th minute. The Bashundhara Kings captain, who had troubled Rashid until then, scored from the tightest angle after skipping past a couple of GKFC players.

Nuha Marong, who used his physicality and height to threaten the opposition backline, doubled the lead in the second half after an assist from Robson. Joursaine Fletcher pulled one back for Gokulam Kerala towards the end, but Vincenzo Annese's side couldn't find the equaliser. Bashundhara Kings, on the other, will hope for an ATKMB defeat to advance into the knockout stages.

On that note, here are the Gokulam Kerala player ratings for the game.

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Rakshit Dagar – 5.5

Although Rakshit Dagar conceded two goals in the match, he made a crucial save from Robson da Silva’s shot in the first half.

Rishad PP – 4.5

Rishad PP was perhaps the player with the poorest performance today. Both the goals came from the right side, where he was playing as a right-back.

Alex Saji – 6

Saji’s performance was steady throughout the game. In the 70th minute, he came up with a crucial block to avoid the danger of a goal.

Bouba Aminou – 6

Aminou made nine clearances and two tackles. The second goal of Bashundhara Kings came after the cross went over his head. A much better performance was expected from the centre-back.

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Muhammed Uvais – 4.5

Uvais delivered one successful cross. Defensively, he was troubled mostly in the second half by the Bashundhara Kings right-winger. He made three clearances and one tackle.  

Sreekuttan VS – 4.5

Sreekuttan was substituted in the second half. He took a glance at goal in the 44th minute. He lost three duels today.

Emil Benny – 5

Benny was completely off-colour today. He fired two shots today, but both were off target.

Sharif Mukhammad – 6

Mukhammad was the livewire today for Gokulam Kerala. He delivered a free kick from which Bouba Aminou had an opportunity to score.

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Jithin MS – 6.5

Jithin was Gokulam Kerala’s best player on the field. However, he missed a one-versus-one opportunity in the fifth minute. He delivered some crosses from the left. Also, his sprints were very noticeable today.

Jourdaine Fletcher – 6.5

Fletcher scored the solitary goal for the Malabarians. In the 91st minute, his glanced a fiery shot. He almost scored from that free-kick but goalkeeper’s fist and the woodwork stood between him and the second goal.

Luka Majcen – 4.5

Majcen was completely off-colour today. He created one chance and won a few fouls.

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Substitutes

Thahir Zaman – 4

Zaman wasn’t involved much in the game. Perhaps starting him from the beginning might have worked for Gokulam Kerala.

Jasim – 6

The right side of Gokulam Kerala defence looked steady after Jasim joined the action. The goal too, came from his assist. Defensively, he committed a tackle and made two clearances.

Ronald N G – N/A

He came on in the 80th minute for an ineffective Luka Majcen, but had little to do in the match.

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