Indian Player Ratings: Kotal poor as makeshift centreback; Brandon happy playing DLP

The Gaurs' foreigners rose to the fore but their Indians also held their own.

It may sound like revenge, but FC Goa fans will have slept happily on Saturday night. Having defeated the Lions in their own den with the same scoreline they suffered from last season. The Gaurs saw another unquestionable shift from their heroes.

Talking about the Indian players, everyone played their part well, until the sending off of Gabriel Cichero. The incident really opened the floodgates for FC Goa and they plundered the home side out of the game. Let’s take a look at the match ratings for all home-grown stars.

Watch: Delhi Dynamos 1-5 FC Goa

Delhi Dynamos

Sukhdev Patil- 5.8/10

The stand-in custodian gave a good display of his goalkeeping skills, but could’ve done a little better with his positioning on the second goal. The former Minerva Punjab goalkeeper made good clearances, communicated with his defenders and ensured that he made no major mistakes.

Pritam Kotal- 5.5

At 25, Kotal is showing immaculate maturity and decision-making abilities. The right-back took responsibilities for his team, crossing the ball well on several occasions and making some good runs on the outside of Romeo Fernandes. The India international even played the role of centre-back after the dismissal of Cichero and played it poorly.

Rowilson Rodrigues- 5.5

The Goan central defender showcased his maturity and partnered well with Cicehro. Calm and composed on the ball and sensible and alert off it, Rodrigues was easily one of the better players on the pitch for the home side until the late onslaught and did not/ could not do anything to stop the rampaging FC Goa.

Munmun Lugun- 5.5

The left-back had a tidy game and did not allow the opposition much freedom along his flank. Went forward well and looked dangerous, but needs to work on his partnership with Jeroen Lumu. Lugun did not allow the Lions to miss Sena Ralte with his easy on the eye performance. He needs to work on his off-the ball positioning and not allow too many attackers in behind him.

Vinit Rai- 6/10

The young central midfielder passed the ball around with 85% accuracy for his 30 passes, helping the Dynamos keep the majority share of possession, but couldn’t provide the team with any creativity and defensive stability. Needs to play the Milan Singh role and move forward more than what he’s doing at the moment. Rai must also try and pick up a few ball-playing skills from Paulinho Dias.  

Romeo Fernandes- 6.5

From being one of India’s most talented wingers and one for the future, the youngster has probably not worked hard enough on his game and physicality. Romeo was easily pushed off the ball on several occasions in the first half and did nothing exceptional off it.  

Substitutes

Lallianzuala Chhangte- 6.0

The Mizo speedster had a lively start to the game with a few quick-fire forays down the right flank, but found it increasingly tough to impose himself against a composed FC Goa defence as the game wore on. Chhangte did not really create anything when he should’ve done better with a few balls from the back and Paulinho.

Sena Ralte- 5.5/10

Came in and played the role of an anchor at the back, or at least, tried. Ralte, like he usually is, looked workman-like and tried to reduce the spaces as much as he could, but really couldn’t do anything beside the makeshift defense.   

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FC Goa

Laxmikant Kattimani- 7.5

The custodian made no errors and finally, came good away from home. Sergio Lobera must be a happy man as his No. 1 goalkeeper gave in a solid performance. Kattimani didn’t really have anything to do in a 3-vs-1 scenario that saw Delhi score their only goal.   

Mohammad Ali- 7.0

FC Goa fans must be thinking where this 25-year-old centre-back was for the last three-four years. Plying his trade at Dempo in the past, Ali has learnt to play the ball out of the backline and forms the heart of the defense exactly the way his manager wants. Fluid, efficient and physically stout when needed, India will do well to groom him for the future.

Narayan Das- 6.5

The left-back did not have the best game, but did his job pretty efficiently. Das made the runs expected off him, but should’ve done better with the balls in his box. The coach must be happy with another good performance.

Mandar Rao Dessai- 7.0

Rao Desai post-Delhi Dynamos interview

The winger had a decent game where he made sure that his presence was marked, especially when he brilliantly dribbled past Kotal on several occasions. The 25-year-old was almost all over the pitch to link up with every teammate, but can do a little better on the ball.

Brandon Fernandes- 7.5

Brandon did not have any extraordinary impact but his presence on the pitch was easily felt especially with his one-two passing with Manuel Lanzarote and Ferran Corominas as he handled proceedings well from deep. In the second half, Brandon looked content to play the supplier for the onrushing Arana and Adrian Colunga and he did his job well.

Seriton Fernandes- 7.5

The right-back was organised and made no errors in the entire game. The FC Goa player was also seen helping out in attack from the right flank on various occasions. His brilliant defending restricted Lumu from making his trademark runs into the box. Seriton did not do much attacking-wise, but the team did not really need it from him, being in sound form up ahead.      

Substitutes

Pronay Halder- 6.5

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After coming on, Halder disrupted the passing fluidity for the Gaurs. The Blue side, though, benefitted from his presence in the heart of the midfield and if Stephen Constantine was watching the game, he’d be a happy man. India will benefit from his presence but needs to work on his passing and vision.