Mohammedan SC vs NorthEast United FC Player Ratings: Jithin, Asheer excel as Padam, Chhakchhuak falter | ISL 2024-25

The Black and White Brigade went down to a late winner in their debut game.

NorthEast United FC beat Mohammedan SC 1-0 in their opening fixture in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season on Monday at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. The fans witnessed a last-minute winner from Highlanders’ super-sub, Alaeddine Ajaraie, in injury time after a subtle 90 minutes of play.

The ISL debutants had a positive start to the game, with Makan Chothe and Lalremsanga making incisive runs down the flanks. Their Argentine lynchpin, Alexis Gomez, bamboozled the opposition with his dazzling twists and turns, trying to create space and find available options.

On the contrary, Guillermo Fernandez was frequently dropping deeper than usual, something that doesn’t sync with the Highlanders’ number nine and his style of play. Both teams have seemingly lacked the efficiency to convert the chances in the attacking third.

With only four minutes left to play in injury time, Highlanders’ Algerian super-sub, Alaeddine Ajaraie, netted home the winner from Thoi Singh to take home three crucial points with them.

Here are the Indian player ratings for the game:

Mohammedan SC (By Dipro Mukherjee)

Padam Chhetri (GK): 5.5

The Mohammedan custodian wasn’t tested much by the visitors in the first half. However, he won’t be willing to remember his team’s debut ISL game after he barely managed to evade the corners in the second half with the opposition trying desperately to make it count from the set-pieces.

His reflexes couldn’t do enough to stop Ajaraie’s attempt in the fourth additional minute of stoppage time in the second half.

Gaurav Bora: 5.5

The former Highlanders defender shifted roles to create a chance in the first half, which they failed to convert. He also made an effort from a distance, trying to make it count, but it went off-target. Bora‘s passing accuracy in the defensive third to hold the ball in his team’s favour was laudable.

Amarjit Singh Kiyam: 6

The midfielder was seen operating as an orchestrator in the midfield, making recoveries in the middle third, and trying to find an aperture in the opposition’s midfield. Amarjit‘s work rate was seemingly impressive throughout the game.

Zodingliana Ralte: 6.5

The Mohammedan skipper was deployed as a defensive full-back by Chernyshov on the left flank. He was firm with his defensive skillset, making crucial interceptions and clearances. He also gave a tough time to Jithin MS in the first half and later to Parthib Gogoi in the second half of the game, as the two Highlanders found it difficult to get past the defender.

Makan Winkle Chothe: 7

The speedster from Manipur had made quite an impact on the flanks for the ISL debutants. He was brilliant with his skills, swiftly dribbling past the defenders and acting as an outlet during quick-counters for the Black and White Brigade.

F. Lalremsanga: 6.5

His attempt on the goal from a header in the 18-yard box went just above the crossbar in the first half of the game. Lalremsanga was also seen making incisive runs down the flanks while dribbling past the defenders to find Alexis Gomez and Cesar Manzoki upfront.

Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak: 5

He seemed out of rhythm in today’s game. While falling short of the ability to regain ball possession, his off-the-ball movements were also a misfit to Chernyshov’s tactical puzzle.

Substitutes

Sagolsem Bikash Singh: 6

The left-winger came on as a substitute in the second half and had almost scored from his first touch, which went past just a few inches off the woodwork. Maybe bringing him on a bit earlier could have made the much-needed impact for the debutants.

NorthEast United FC (By Parashar Kalita)

Gurmeet Singh (GK): 6

Mohammedan SC’s attacking side did not trouble Gurmeet much. His first involvement in the match was in the 4th minute when he punched away an aerial attempt. In the added time of the first half, he comfortably caught a right-footed shot on target by Alexis Gómez from outside the 18-yard box, which was the only shot on target for the first half.

Jithin MS: 7.5

The golden boy of Pedro Benali continues to impress on the field. He won duels and created the first two potential chances for NorthEast United FC. The first one found Guillermo in a good position, but the shot was offside. The second one created chaos in the MSC box. Jithin could have broken the deadlock but only managed one shot on target, which was easily collected by the Mohammedan custodian.

Asheer Akhtar: 6.5

The Indian defender was tasked with defending César Manzoki. He did his job well by not giving him space. Asheer also made two crucial interceptions in the game. A mistake in midfield could have cost the team, but he recovered it well. 

Dinesh Singh: 5

Dinesh did display an average sense of play throughout the game. He received an early yellow in the 21st minute of the game and could have been sent off if he had missed a two-footed clearance. On some occasions, he was out of position. 

B. Samte: 5.5

Had an average game and his early mistakes could have cost his team. 

Mayakkannan Muthu: 5.5

Playing in the defensive midfield, he did not involve himself much in the gameplay during the first half. He participated in the defensive play as well. 

Parthib Gogoi: 5.5

He worked hard, running across the field, but his impact was minimal. In the 42nd minute, he made a key pass to Guillermo, which Padam Chettri collected with a diving effort in the front. He was substituted in the 83rd minute. 

Substitutes

Thoi Singh: 6.0

Thoi Singh came on the pitch in the 83rd minute. In the added time of the final minutes, he received a cross from Jithin and found Alaeddine Ajaraie in the center of the box, who scored the sole goal for the Highlanders to secure all 3 points. 

Tondonba Singh: N/A

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