Kerala Blasters vs Punjab FC Player Ratings: Rahul KP, Nihal shine; Aimen, Sachin disappoint | ISL 2024-25

The Tuskers go down late in their first game.

Punjab FC beat Kerala Blasters FC (1-0) in their opening fixture in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. The fans witnessed a nail-biting finish to the game with all the three goals coming in the last ten minutes.

Punjab FC took the lead from a penalty won by the super-sub-Leone Augustine facing a late challenge from Muhammed Shaheef. The Tuskers equalized from their new striker Jesus Jimenez but ended up losing the game beaten by a late goal from Filip Mrzljak with minutes to spare.

Here are the Indian player ratings for the game:

Kerala Blasters FC

Sachin Suresh (6.5)

The Kerala Blasters’ goalkeeper might want to forget the night after getting beaten at his near post for a late winner from Mrzljak. The young goalkeeper was not tested much for most of the game but could not save the penalty and was helpless with the late goal.

Sandeep Singh (7.0)

Sandeep had a tough against Nihal in the flanks. He often had to lunge in with slide tackles, risking everything to try to keep his opponent quiet. He was struggling at times but made some decisive tackles to stop Nihal advancing. Sandeep vs Nihal battle was exciting to watch throughout the game.

Muhammed Saheef (6.5)

Saheef was deployed as an inverted full back in Stahre’s set up, providing an extra outlet for the midfield pair of Coeff and Freddy. Given that freedom, he was impactful in the middle while maintaining solidity at the back.

He made things difficult for Ezequiel Vidal with his tight marking, not leaving breathing room for the attacker in the flanks. The full-back made an excellent impression until a late challenge on Leon Augustine inside the penalty box which led to a goal.

Pritam Kotal (7.5)

Pritam Kotal was a calm and composed presence in the back for the Blasters. The Indian international was a safe outlet to find and often find his teammates in the attack with accurate long balls in the buildup phase. He bagged an assist to the goal scored. He had more than a decent outing overall.

Freddy Lallawmawma (7.0)

Freddy had a crucial role as a single-pivot in the Blasters’ setup and did a decent job overall. He was the anchor in the midfield, playing between the two centre backs and linking the play. The midfielder was subbed of late in the second half for an attacker, with the Blasters desperate to find a goal.

Rahul KP (8.0)

Rahul was a menace on the right wing. He made excellent runs in behind the defence asking for through balls. He also was the outlet for the Blasters in counters, making pacey runs once found, courageously taking on multiple defenders closing in. However, the spark did diminish as the game progressed.

Mohammed Aimen (5.0)

Aimen seems to have left his shooting boots at home. He had a weak effort on goal early on in the game and later squandered a chance from a pin-point cross from Sadaoui. He was quiet in the left wing for most of the game and was subbed off right after the first half.

Substitutes:

Vibin Mohanan (6.0)

Vibin Mohanan came on for the second half, impressed right away with his lobbed through balls opening up the defence. The midfielder was later shifted to a defensive role, and had a decent game returning from injury.

Yoihenba Meitei (N/A)

Meitei had a quiet cameo late on.

Mohammed Azhar (5.0)

Azhar came on late in the second half, with the Blasters searching for a spark in the attack, but could not contribute much to his team.

Punjab FC

Ravi Kumar (6.0)

Ravi Kumar was not tested much for the first half with the Blasters struggling to penetrate the defence. The shot stopper’s presence in the box made it tougher for the Blasters, the box, as he handled the crosses launched into the box not leaving room for the attackers. His quick reflex also stopped long range effort from Sadaoui.

Nikhil Prabhu (7.0)

Having played the full 90 minutes, Prabhu had a great outing in the doublte pivot midfield. He was solid defensively and linked the attack well.

Khaiminthang Lhungdim (7.0)

Lhundim had a good game at the left back against Aimen, never leaving the winger open for most of the first half. He had an even tougher task for the second half with Sadaoui shifted to the left wing but handled him quite well.

Vinit Rai (7.0)

Vinit Rai, playing against his old club, was solid in the middle for Punjab FC. His exquisite through balls, especially to find Nihal led to a lot of chances opening up the defence. He had a decent game overall and was subbed off late in the game for an additional attacker.

Tekcham Abhishek Singh (7.0)

ABhishek had a great game in the flanks and kept had batteled head to head against Rahul KP. The defender impressed on his first outing of the season and look like sealing the starting spot.

Suresh Meitei (7.5)

Suresh and Novocelec pairing in the centre back was crucial in defusing the Blaster’s attack. The centre- back had a herculean task for the game, having to go toe to toe with Peprah and Jimenez, but the centre-half handled his responsibilities pretty well.

Nihal Sudeesh (8.5)

Nihal Sudeesh, the loanee from Kerala Blasters, was ruthless in the wing against his parent club. He was a headache for Sandeep trying to penetrate into the box with his feints and skills. His excellent pperformance won him the deserved player of the match award for the game.

Substitutes:

Leon Augustine (8.0)

Augustien was subbed on with 20 minutes left, hoping to break the deadlock. The attacker made the best of the opportunity, winning a penalty which altered the narrative of the game.

Ricky Shabong (N/A)

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