Indian Player Ratings: Mandar Rao Dessai leads from the front as FC Goa progress to finals

The Gaurs will now lock horns with Bengaluru FC in the final on Sunday.

FC Goa became the second team to progress to the final of the Indian Super League, despite losing 0-1 to Jorge Costa's Mumbai City FC, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa. The Islanders showed courage and gave a great account of themselves in the second leg, but had too much to do after succumbing to a 1-5 loss to the Gaurs in the first leg. Sergio Lobera's men progressed to the showpiece via a 5-2 aggregate success.

.@FCGoaOfficial rode on their first leg dominance to book a place in the #HeroISLFinal despite losing 1-0 to @MumbaiCityFC at home. More videos: https://t.co/8jtqJIjojH#ISLRecap #LetsFootball #HeroISL #FanBannaPadega #GOAMUM pic.twitter.com/kduFYx6dyK

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 12, 2019

Watch: FC Goa 0(5)-(2)1 Mumbai, Goals and Highlights

Despite scoring early through Rafael Bastos, Jorge Costa's men failed to take their chances in the game, as the hosts did enough to progress to the final; to clash horns with Bengaluru FC, on Sunday. Here are our Indian player ratings for the game:

FC Goa

Naveen Kumar - 6.0

.@naveen32navi is at it yet again as he disrupts @MumbaiCityFC's set-piece!Watch it LIVE on @hotstartweets: https://t.co/T1Zj7aGTTQJioTV users can watch it LIVE on the app. #HeroISL #ISLMoments #LetsFootball #GOAMUM #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/i7XXDdTuDa

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 12, 2019

The custodian carried his form from the first leg into this match

Another noteworthy performance from the FC Goa custodian as he made some stellar saves. Naveen literally carried his form from the first leg and his confidence reflected in the saves he made, despite conceding early in the first half.

Mandar Rao Desai -7.0

Mandar has definitely made the right-back position his own. the skipper of Goa led by example as he was composed in defence and threatening in attack. His overlapping runs opened up more options for Brandon Fernandes on the right flank. He kept Souvik busy and did not allow the opposition right-back to join the attack.

Seriton Fernandes - 5.0

Seriton struggled to contain Bastos who got the better of him on the counter-attack and broke the deadlock in the first half. His performance improved in the second half.

Lenny Rodrigues - 6.0

The experienced midfielder once again proved his worth to this Goa side. Lenny's energy and interceptions make him a trustable figure in midfield. The former Bengaluru man did not allow the likes of Raynier Fernandes and Md. Rafique to settle down in the game and shielded his backline with much aplomb after conceding early.

Jackichand Singh- 5.5

Could not replicate his first leg heroics, but still was enough of a threat for the Mumbai City defenders. Jackichand Singh kept Joyner Lourenco on his toes, as the makeshift right-back struggled to keep up with the winger. However, he could not get his deliveries and passes right in the final third.

Brandon Fernandes- 6.0

Brandon caused no harm to his reputation of terrorizing opposition defenders. He ran the show in the final third for the Gaurs. His sleek one-touch passing and through balls make him very dangerous, something which the Indian football fans want to see in the national team jersey. He dominated Souvik Chakrabarti and did not allow him to settle into the game.

Substitutes

Manvir Singh - 4.5

Lobera did not want to risk Brandon as the midfielder got a knock in the second half. Manvir failed to create any chances for the Gaurs and couldn't maintain the pressure started by the winger.

ALSO READ

• AIFF launch inquiry after match commissioner casts doubt on Chennai City's win over Minerva Punjab

• FC Goa progress to final after 5-2 aggregate win over Mumbai City

• John Gregory rues Chennaiyin's lack of goalscorers, Ruwan Kumara eyes history

Mumbai City FC

Amrinder Singh - 5.5

The India international did not have much to do in the second leg. He stood his ground well and was confident with the saves he had to make. His distribution was also commendable.

Souvik Chakrabarti - 4.5

No signs of improvement even after the first leg. Totally non-existent going forwrd, he failed to add width to the Mumbai City attack which Costa's men direly needed. Souvik even struggled to keep the likes of Mandar and Brandon at bay and often gave away the ball in crucial areas.

Anwar Ali - 5.5

Anwar Ali stood his ground and did his job pretty well. He did not allow Ferran Corominas any space in the final third and maintained a good understanding with Lucian Goian throughout the match. Maybe Costa should have gone with him at the back in the first leg.

Joyner Lourenco - 5.0

Joyner started the game at right-back, as he filled in for the injured Subhasish Bose and his discomfort in an unfamiliar position was evident from the start. The defender had a tough time keeping pace with the speed of Jackichand and was also caught out of position several times.

Milan Singh - 6.0

The defensive midfielder was brought in for the underwhelming Sehnaj Singh and Milan did his job pretty well. He distributed the ball well to either flank and did manage to cut some passing lanes and run the show in midfield.

Raynier Singh - 5.0

Much improved performance from Raynier, as he looked energetic on the counter-attack and teamed up well with Arnold Issoko on the right flank. However, considering the stakes, he did not create enough chances in the final third and did not have much of an impact in attack for the Islanders.

Substitutes

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Mohammed Rafique - 4.0

The attacking midfielder came on for Raynier in the 70th minute to add more edge to the Mumbai attack, but he failed to make any impact