FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC Player Ratings: Prachit Gaonkar, Irfan Yadwad shine in ISL 2026-27
The Gaurs played a 1-1 draw against the Marina Machans.
FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC locked horns in the second game of the opening-day double-header at the Fatorda Stadium in a fixture known for producing the most goals in ISL history.
The two Indian coaches on the touchline made some brave calls with their team selections ahead of the game. Clifford Miranda benched Madih Talal, while Gouramangi Singh left Ortiz out of the starting XI and handed opportunities to youngsters like Akash Singh and Prachit Gaonkar.
The first half was a borefest, with both teams struggling to find the right intensity and playing it safe, with no major threats in the final third. Both sides were also dealt a blow in the first half, with Glan Martins and Franchu picking up injuries for their respective teams.
However, the second half was an end-to-end affair, with both sides creating plenty of chances in the final third.
Irfan Yadwad opened the scoring with a screamer, only for Chiki to equalise a couple of minutes later. Both sides eventually settled for a draw as the referee blew the full-time whistle.
Here’s how both sets of players performed in this game, along with our ratings on a scale of 1–10.
FC Goa Player Ratings (by Shyam)
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Bob Jackson – 6/10
Bob Jackson had very little work to do in the FC Goa goal throughout the first half, as Chennaiyin did not create any clear-cut chances that required his intervention.
In the second half, he was called upon on a couple of occasions and made a crucial save to stop Ramon Tanque from scoring. There was not much he could have done to prevent Irfan Yadwad’s goal, which was an absolute rocket.
Aakash Sangwan – 7/10
Aakash Sangwan had a mixed game at left-back against his former club, Chennaiyin FC. He was brilliant in the final third, creating several chances with his dangerous crosses and threatening set-piece deliveries. He also registered an assist for Chiki’s equaliser.
However, defensively, he had an average second half, leaving plenty of space for Irfan Yadwad to exploit when scoring his goal. He made a similar mistake again later, almost allowing Ramon Tanque to score.
Alex Zalaya – 6/10
Alex Zalaya had a decent game at the back for the Gaurs against a Chennaiyin attack that was largely toothless in the final third.
However, in the one instance when Irfan Yadwad found space on the right wing, he scored, and Zalaya perhaps could have done better with his positioning for the goal.
His positioning in the final few minutes, particularly when dealing with Ramon, was not up to the mark either.
Sandesh Jhingan – 6.5/10
Sandesh Jhingan, who scored in this fixture last season, was involved in several physical battles with Ramon Tanque, contesting aerial and ground duels.
His most important contribution came through a last-ditch tackle to stop Ramon from scoring inside the six-yard box after the Brazilian striker had danced past several FC Goa defenders.
Akash Singh – 5/10
Akash Singh, playing at right-back, did not have a particularly good game in his first-ever ISL appearance. The FC Goa right-back was constantly troubled by Brison Fernandes, who had the upper hand in their battle.
He was wrongly booked in the first half for a challenge on Brison, despite appearing to win the ball cleanly. In the second half, Bryce Miranda also had the upper hand, with the Chennaiyin substitute delivering several dangerous crosses and making threatening runs.
Prachit Gaonkar – 8/10
The most impressive player on the pitch for the Gaurs was 20-year-old local Goan midfielder Prachit Gaonkar. The midfielder started ahead of Tomba Singh, whom many had expected to feature in the starting XI, and delivered a stellar performance in the middle of the park.
His calmness and composure on the ball, along with the maturity he displayed in dictating the tempo and maintaining his positional discipline, were excellent. He was also physical in several challenges against Nikola Stojanovic and Ramon Tanque.
Prachit made several crucial blocks and interceptions and seemed to be everywhere on the pitch.
Alex Vallejo – 7/10
Alex Vallejo had a decent game in the middle of the park, showing good passing ability and winning several duels. He played a number of accurate long balls during quick transitions while making crucial interceptions to stop Nikola Stojanovic and Ayush Chhetri.
It was surprising to see Gouramangi Singh take off the foreign midfielder and replace him with Indian midfielder Harsh for the final 20 minutes of the game.
Franchu – 6/10
Franchu started in an advanced role just behind Chiki and was given the freedom to operate through the wings or the middle.
He began the game slowly but gradually started making an impact with his line-breaking passes and link-up play before being forced off midway through the first half with an injury.
Nemil – 6.5/10
Nemil looked really effective on the left wing for FC Goa, delivering several creative crosses from the flanks. He frequently interchanged positions with Franchu and Ortiz, drifting into central areas where he is most dangerous.
His defensive work was top-notch, and he tracked back regularly to help Aakash Sangwan. His link-up play with the full-back also helped create space for overlapping runs. He was booked in the first half for a late challenge on Mohammad Nawaz.
Udanta Singh – 4/10
Udanta Singh did not have a good game on the right wing, with Muhammad Saheef looking very comfortable against the former Indian international winger. Udanta struggled to deliver dangerous crosses or create many chances, although he did find himself at the end of a couple of excellent goalscoring opportunities.
He should have scored at least once given the quality of the chances he had in the second half. One could argue that a more clinical and young right winger would have done better with those opportunities.
Chiki – 7/10
Photo: R. Parthibhan / FS Media Pro / ISL
Chiki impressed with his link-up play and work rate in the first half but missed a couple of opportunities where he should either have kept his shots on target or looked for better options.
However, when FC Goa needed someone to step up and equalize in the second half, Chiki delivered a brilliant header from a free kick to restore parity and salvage a point for the Gaurs. Overall, looks a decent option for the Gaurs to lead the attack and combine with the wingers.
Substitutes
Jorge Ortiz – 7/10
Ortiz, who would have been disappointed not to start the game, had to come on early following Franchu’s injury. He needed very little time to settle into the game.
As always, Ortiz progressed the ball effectively and combined well with his teammates. He also drifted towards the wings to deliver a couple of dangerous crosses. One of them almost ended up in the back of the net when Ayush Chhetri nearly scored an own goal while attempting to clear the ball.
His long-range attempt to equalize before Chiki’s goal was denied by the woodwork. He almost set up a winner in stoppage time, but Isak completely miscued the opportunity.
Harsh Patre – 6/10
Harsh Patre came on in the middle of the park for Alex Vallejo and was effective defensively. He won all his tackles and ground duels, doing very well to limit Madih Talal’s impact.
Isak Vanlalruatfela – 5/10
Isak came on for Nemil on the left wing, with Gouramangi Singh hoping the former Odisha FC winger would gain the upper hand against Namgyal Bhutia’s tired legs. However, he failed to make the most of his opportunity and did not attempt a single dribble.
He had two excellent chances after being set up to shoot in the dying minutes of the game, but ultimately failed to convert either opportunity.
Tomba Singh – 6/10
Tomba came on for Prachit Gaonkar in the final few minutes of the game and did not have much time to influence proceedings. He won a couple of crucial duels towards the end to help keep the scoreline intact.
Ronney Wilson – 6/10
Ronney Wilson replaced Aakash Sangwan at left-back for the final few minutes after the latter struggled with cramps.
He almost cost FC Goa a winner when he lost an aerial duel against Ramon Tanque, but the Brazilian striker failed to convert the chance, much to Wilson’s relief.
Chennaiyin FC Player Ratings (by Aasif)
Mohammad Nawaz – 6/10
The Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper made two regulation saves in the first half, however, his long ball delivery left much to desire.
Nawaz pulled off two really important saves in the second half, however he conceded a header to lose his clean sheet.
Muhammed Saheef – 7/10
Making his debut for Chennaiyin FC, Saheef played his part well in the first half, taking on more of the defensive responsibilities alongside CFC’s foreign defensive duo. He played the entire 90 minutes and made 8 defensive contributions.
Emmanuel Imanishimwe – 7/10
Emmanuel was the pick of the defenders for Chennaiyin FC, helping his side with 5 defensive contributions and also supplying the ball to his wingers whenever he could.
Nuno Reis – 6.5/10
Given his experience, it was no surprise that Nuno Reis marshalled the CFC backline. However, Goa’s forward Chiki got the better of Nuno in a freekick situation to score the opener for his team.
Namgyal Bhutia – 7/10
The right-back started was more often than not involved in the attack, sometimes leaving gaps in defence. However, his attacking runs paid off as he combined with Madih Talal before assisting Irfan Yadwad’s goal.
Glan Martins – 5/10
The defensive midfielder also dropped in the right-back position when Namgyal Bhutia assisted in the attack. He was substituted out in the 32nd minute and was replaced by Lalhriatpuia Chawngthu
Ayush Chhetri – 6.5/10
Ayush was quite involved in the Chennaiyin midfield throughout the game, and he also stepped in to help out his defence every now and then. Ayush had a 83% passing accuracy in the game.
Nikola Stojanovic – 6/10
Starting the game as an attacking midfielder, Nikola Stojanovic was given freedom to go towards the wings and play alongside the attacker when the game demanded. The box-to-box midfielder was replaced in the 60th minute.
Brison Fernandes – 6/10
Brison was energetic on the left wing and combined well with the rest of his team whenever he had the ball. He made one successful dribble and had an attempt that tested the goalkeeper. Brison was substituted in the 60th minute.
Irfan Yadwad – 7/10
Playing on the right wing, Irfan took the first shot of the game from distance, however, it went well over the crossbar.
The Indian international was lacking confidence and was off-pace for the most of the game, however he came to life in the 63rd minute, unleashing an unstoppable shot past the Goa goalkeeper.
Ramon Tanque – 6.5/10
Ramon had a frustrating first half, but he started the second half very well, making the right runs and being more involved. He played his part in Chennaiyin’s opening goal and also dropped to the wings to help his teammates out.
The Chennaiyin striker did have chances in the second half but failed to convert them.
Substitutes
Lalhriatpuia Chawngthu (Hriata) – 6/10
Hriata brought in flair and energy to Chennaiyin’s midfield after coming on in the 30th minute. He had an 89% passing accuracy.
Madih Talal – 6/10
Minutes after coming on, Madih Talal combined with Ramon, Bhutia, and Irfan to unlock Goa’s defence.
Bryce Miranda – 5.5/10
Bryce Miranda combined with Ramon Tanque on a couple of occasions, creating some good chances.
Laldinpuia – N/A
He replaced Bhutia in the 86th minute.
Nitishkumar Metei – N/A
He replaced Irfan in the 86th minute.
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