Indian Player Ratings: Lallianzuala Chhangte shines, Dheeraj Singh falters
Without their former player and skipper Pritam Kotal, the home side put in a dominant performance.
It was a battle of the bottom dwellers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Hosts Delhi Dynamos FC brushed aside an underwhelming Kerala blasters side, 2-0, with Gianni Zuiverloon scoring the opener in the first half and Rene Mihelic doubling the lead from the spot late in the dying minutes only to register their second win in the current campaign.
Goals from @GZuiverloon and Rene Mihelic helped @DelhiDynamos pick up back-to-back wins for the first time in #HeroISL 2018-19!More videos: https://t.co/8jtqJIjojH #ISLRecap #LetsFootball #FanBannaPadega #DELKER pic.twitter.com/TC38nG5G82
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 31, 2019
Watch: Delhi 2-0 Kerala, Goals and Highlights
Here are the ratings of the Indian players from the encounter:
Delhi Dynamos FC
Rana Gharami - 6.0
The former Mohun Bagan man has been a mainstay in defence for Josep Gombau and it is evident why he is trusted. Gharami was very solid at the back and did not allow the likes of Stojanovic and Matej Poplatnik any space in his half. The 26-year old even laid some great diagonal passes for his wingers.
Narayan Das - 6.5
Formed the back three alongside Gianni Zuiverloon and Gharami, and had a decent outing as he used his pace and cleared the lines whenever there was pressure from Kerala forwards. Das was a livewire in defence and even more while going forward. He helped his wingers on numerous occasions despite playing as a centre back.
Shubham Sarangi -5.5
The youngster showed a big bundle of energy as his side were completely all over the Blasters especially in midfield. The midfielder went toe-to-toe with the big boys and never shied away from making those crunching tackles to break up play, made a total of 10 tackles in the game. Replaced by Vinit Rai in the 69th minute.
Bikramjit Singh - 6.0
The main anchor man in midfield, Bikramjit Singh had a great first half. He broke down the passing lanes and did not allow the Kerala Blasters' midfielders to get a foothold in the game.
Nandhakumar Sekar - 6
The man from Chennai was sensational for the Lions as he used his paced and trickery to deceive the Kerala defenders. His pinpoint cross for Rene Mihelic in the first half was the best chance for the hosts apart from the goal. He continued the good work in the second half as well but the youngster still needs to improve on his finishing as he skied one after an excellent move into the box. Gombau replaced him with Romeo Fernandes in the 76th minute.
Lallianzuala Chhangte - 7.0
The moment that put the match beyond @KeralaBlasters' reach. #HeroISL #ISLMoments #LetsFootball #DELKER #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/uHUa5onmGw
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 31, 2019
The youngster showed glimpses of his immense potential
The little man has time and again proven what a talent he is. Chhangte's blistering pace and excellent close control kept the Kerala defenders on their toes, with a better final delivery the youngster has all the potential to be an upcoming star.
Substitutes
Vinit Rai -5.0
Came at a point in the game when the Blasters were putting the pressure on the hosts to find the equalising goal. Vinit guarded his backline well and won the ball on some occasions.
Romeo Fernandes - 5.5
Replaced the sensational Nandhakumar on the flanks and bailed out his defence on numerous occasions as the hosts were looking to close out the match.
Daniel Lalhlimpuia - NA
Came on for Ulises Davila late in the 89th minute and made no impact in the match.
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Kerala Blasters FC
Dheeraj Singh - 5.0
Shubham Sarangi had a pop from distance but @dhee_singh01 reads it to perfection.Watch it LIVE on @hotstartweets: https://t.co/vfCEX6UDXZJioTV users can watch it LIVE on the app. #HeroISL #ISLMoments #LetsFootball #DELKER #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/ojQiGa16TQ
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 31, 2019
Dheeraj put in a below-par display, conceding two goals
It was not his best day at the office as he messed up with the Zuiverloon goal, which he should have kept out. He was helpless for the second goal as Mihelic's spot-kick was picture perfect.
Sandesh Jhingan - 6.0
.@SandeshJhingan finds room in the box before seeing his strike blocked by @narayandas21!Watch it LIVE on @hotstartweets: https://t.co/vfCEX6UDXZJioTV users can watch it LIVE on the app. #HeroISL #ISLMoments #LetsFootball #DELKER #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/CS59jjhVBw
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 31, 2019
The India international missed a good oppurtunity for his side
Probably the only man in the Kerala defence who tried to inspire and marshall his fellow teammates with his performance. Jhingan drifted wide to the left flank and helped Cyril Kali who was having a hard time containing Chhangte.
Lalruatthara - 4.0
The youngster had a torrid outing containing Nandhakumar on flanks. The India international was at his toes throughout the game and the pressure resulted in him conceding cheap fouls in crucial areas. He added to his side's misery by taking down Chhangte in the box which resulted in a red card for the defender and handed a penalty to the hosts.
Sahal Abdul Samad - 5.5
He has been one of the finds of the season without a doubt but on the night his performance was pretty much subdued. Sahal failed to hold the ball in midfield as he was completely closed out the opposition midfielders. Overall had a very average outing as he failed to create any sort of chance for his fellow forwards.
Prasanth K - 5.0
The local lad from Kerala had a terrific outing against ATK as he caused all sorts of problem for the opposition defenders. However, he could replicate that performance against Delhi and hardly had any impact going forward for the Blasters. Replaced by another youngster Suraj Rawat in the 67th minute.
Seimilen Doungel - 6.0
The only player who looked like causing some trouble for the Delhi backline. Doungel was tireless throughout the match and was probably Nelo Vingada's only hope of finding an equaliser.
Substitutions
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]Suraj Rawat - 5.0
Failed to make an impact in the game after coming in for Prasanth on the right flank. Rawat tried his best at times but a certain Narayan Das in the Delhi defence kept him at bay.
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