Ratings: Kattimani villain to hero as Hyderabad FC edge Kerala Blasters

The final was an eventful contest that saw impressive individual performances from both teams.

The final of the Indian Super League 2021-22 saw Hyderabad FC win the title, creating history by winning it for the first time. They did so after beating Kerala Blasters by 3-1 in the penalties. The scores were tied at 1-1 following regulation and extra-time. Goals from Rahul KP and Sahil Tavora saw the match go to extra-time and eventually into penalties, where Laxmikant Kattimani made three saves to hand the Nizams the crown.

The game was evenly-matched and both sides had several good moments. Despite HFC becoming champions, they were almost at the end of a defeat, as KBFC played with a lot of confidence. The game saw the return of fans, which made the occasion even more special. With the stakes high, the players began on a nervous note, but slowly found their rhythm.

Here is a look at the player ratings from an epic encounter between HFC and KBFC in the final of the ISL 2021-22:

Hyderabad FC Vs Kerala Blasters: HFC players ratings by Waseem Zaidi

Laxmikant Kattimani (GK) - 9.5 

The goalkeeper made an early error while saving a shot by Rahul, which escaped his grip and went past into goal. However, he turned up in the most crucial stage of the game, made three saves in the penalty shootout and helped the Nizams win the Indian Super League 2021-22. 

Asish Rai - 6.5

The right-back was busy on the flanks, trying to contain Adrian Luna. He created two scoring chances but also did well in defence, making six clearances, two blocks and three successful tackles. 

Chinglensana Singh - 6.5

Chinglensana Singh was solid as KBFC threw a lot of attempts at HFC’s goal. He made seven clearances and took good charge of the box, on an evening when Juanan was not having the best game. 

Juanan - 6.0

The Spaniard was solid for the most part of the match, but was taken off late in the second half to bring in more forward options.

He had the best chance to score for HFC after latching on to the rebound from Ogbeche’s free-kick, but a Rahul KP caused just enough disturbance for Juanan to send his shot above the crossbar.

Akash Mishra - 7.0 

The left-back was as hard working as ever and impressed with his work-rate. Playing the full 120 minutes, he had 87 touches on the ball, made two crosses, made three interceptions and six clearances. 

Joao Victor - 6.5

The skipper received an early yellow card, but still played a crucial role in the game. He was the first to take the penalty for HFC and converted it with immense composure. 

Souvik Chakrabarti - 6.0

Sauvik Chakrabarti gave a good account of himself for the duration he was on the pitch. He was the first to get a shot on target for Hyderabad in the first half. The tactician took him off in the second half to inject more energy in the middle. 

Aniket Jadhav - 5.5

The winger was quiet and could not find his feet on the evening. He was clearly playing under the pressure of the occasion, miscuing his dribbles and failing to provide service for the forwards. Jadhav was taken off at the 70th minute after creating one chance and delivering three crosses.

Mohammed Yasir - 7.0

Mohammed Yasir was lively and sharp on the ball, proving a menace for the KBFC defence. His cross almost led to a goal from Siverio in the first half.

The winger left the yield in the second half for Khassa Camara, as the tactician sought to make changes to find the equalizer. 

Joel Chianese - 5.5

The Australian had to leave the pitch in the first half after picking up an injury. He was unlucky to leave the field and was replaced by Javier Siverio on the stroke of the 39th minute. 

Bartholomew Ogbeche - 7.0

The Nigerian could not get on the scoresheet and did not get the chance to take a penalty. Having said that, he was close to scoring with Leskovic clearing one of his shots from the line. Ogbeche played a key role in holding the ball up and also had an overhead-kick attempt go narrowly past the goal. 

Substitutions

Javier Siverio - 6.0

The Spaniard came on as a sub in the first half and had a good chance to score with a header. However, the 24-year-old did not have many scoring chances and also missed his penalty in the shootout.

Halicharan Narzary - 7.0

The winger came on as a substitute and made history by scoring the penalty that got Hyderabad FC both hands on the trophy.

Sahil Tavora - 8.0

The central midfielder made another appearance from the bench and saved HFC from defeat in regulation time. He scored with a sensational volley to take the game into extra-time.

Khassa Camara - 6.5

The defensive midfielder played as a centre-back after coming on as a second half substitute. Furthermore, he made a crucial contribution by converting his penalty.

Aaren D’Silva - 6.0

The right-back played as a winger in the second half as a substitute and made key contributions in the final third. He played 34 minutes of football and kept a cool head while attacking and defending. 

Hyderabad FC Vs Kerala Blasters: KBFC players ratings by Shivam Tiwari)

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill - 9.0

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill took the fight against the Hyderabad forwards. His movement and ability to read and act on what the situation demands were on display tonight.

From the word go, he was the best player on the pitch and an attempt like Tavora's was the only way to get past him. Gill failed to make any saves in the shootout, though.

Sandeep Singh - 6.5

Sandeep Singh started the game on a nervy note. He made a reckless challenge on Mohammed Yasir in the early few minutes of the game. However, as time went on, the 27-year-old fullback gained his composure to survive till the end of the game.

Ruivah Hormipam - 8.0

It is difficult to tell that Hormipam was playing in his first ISL final ever. Hormipam showed everyone how he is not just a prodigy anymore with the display throughout the game.

His pressure on Bartholomew Ogbeche forced the Hyderabad forward to shoot off the target after Ogbeche beat Marko Leskovic to break free in the box. Hormipam completed 14 of his 27 attempted long balls.

Marko Leskovic - 7.0

Marko Leskovic was beaten just once throughout the 120 minutes of the game and he had his Indian partner bail him out of the situation.

Otherwise, Leskovic was momentous in defence for the Blasters. He completed 82 passes, the most in the game for any player and made a goal-line clearance to keep the score tied. He had his penalty kick saved in the shootout.

Harmanjot Singh Khabra - 8.0

Involved in the attack most of the two full-backs to play today for Kerala, Harmanjot Singh Khabra had at least three shot-creating actions in regular time. He had six tackles and two chances created in the game.

Jeakson Singh - 7.0

Jeakson Singh assisted Rahul KP's goal in the game. He then came close to scoring one of his own through a corner. However, after beating the keeper, his attempt hit the crossbar. Jeakson Singh missed his penalty in the shootout.

Lalthathanga Khawlhring - 7.5

Lalthathanga Khawlhring was present everywhere on the pitch. One wouldn't be able to tell where the youngster played if he just saw his heatmap from the game. Puitea got his team a match-high 11 recoveries.

Rahul KP - 8.0

Rahul KP showed substantial work-ethic tonight, something that the Tuskers needed from whoever was going to play in Sahal's position.

His pressing troubled Hyderabad's ability to progress the ball out of their defensive third. And, of course, he scored the most significant goal of his life. He could have scored one more had he connected his half volley attempt.

Adrian Luna - 6.5

Adrian Luna should have taken the penalty before his young teammates. His decision to do otherwise must have disappointed a lot of fans. Luna wasn't any effective on the pitch either in the 120 minutes of the game. He finished the game with six crosses.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz - 7.0

Pereyra Diaz was involved in a lot of Kerala's moves in the attacking third. Two of the most notable moments were when he just felt short of a Harmanjot Singh Khabra cross in the first half and his inch-perfect cross to find Vazquez in the dying minutes of the second half. 

Alvaro Vazquez - 7.5

The crossbar denied a goal to Alvaro Vazquez in the final minutes of the first half after the former La Liga forward beat Katimani with his attempt.

However, Kerala's No. 99 wasn't just involved in the attacking play of his side. One of his most significant contributions in the game had him trackback and dispossess Aniket Jadhav of the ball through a perfect tackle from behind.

Substitutes

Nishu Kumar - 6.0

Surprisingly, Nishu Kumar's long-range passing was more precise (75%) than his short passing (50%). The former Bengaluru FC man missed his penalty in the shootout.

Chencho Gyeltshen - 6.5

Chencho almost won his side a penalty right after getting subbed into the game. However, the Bhutanese soon went into anonymity. He finished the game with one off the target shot.

Ayush Adhikari - 6.0

Ayush Adhikari finished the game with just five touches. He was the only Kerala player to score his penalty in the shootout.

Vincy Barretto - N/A

He played the final five minutes of the game.