Ratings: Juanan, Sauvik shine as Hyderabad FC edge past Mumbai City

The game saw noteworthy individual performances from both teams.

Hyderabad FC caused a major setback to defending champions Mumbai City FC by denying them a place in the top-four for the Indian Super League 2021-22 season. The 2-1 win at the PJN Stadium for the Nizams meant that the Islanders will not make it to the semi-finals and the ISL will have a new winner this season at the league stage.

The game between these two teams is always hotly contested. Goals from Rohit Danu and Joel Chianese were enough to secure three points while Mourtada Fall's goal was eventually a consolation.

Let's look at the player ratings from the match.

Hyderabad FC (by Waseem Zaidi)

Laxmikant Kattimani (GK) - 6.0

The Hyderabad FC goalkeeper was comfortable against Mumbai City until the moment he made the error in the lead up to the goal from Mourtada Fall. Otherwise, the senior custodian was in control. He only faced two shots on target and kept his box under command.

Nim Dorjee - 6.0

The right-back was disciplined and was strong in his tackles. He did not outshine his teammates but was a crucial element in the overall performance of the team that kept a strong team like MCFC silent.

Chinglensana Singh - 6.5

The centre-back looked more comfortable playing alongside Spanish defender Juanan. He was strong and accurate in tackles and determined in duels. Making three clearances, Singh was strong in defence but could have done slightly better to prevent the goal.

Juanan - 8.0

The tank of a defender was absolutely fabulous for the Hyderabad FC against Mumbai City. The skipper on the night led the defence by example and made countless precise tackles to keep Mumbai City forwards under check and his presence was vital to Hyderabad FC securing the three points.

Nikhil Poojary - 7.0

The winger had to fill in as a full-back once more and did a fabulous job, playing as both left-back and a right-back. He made three clearances and three interventions. In attack, Poojary caused a lot of trouble with his dribbling and work rate.

Sauvik Chakrabarti - 8.0

This was perhaps Sauvik’s best performance in HFC colours. The experienced figure in the midfield held his own and provided good cover to the backline, playing alongside Khassa Camara. He made six interceptions and five blocks, which justifies his role in the win.

Khassa Camara - 6.5

Following up from the nightmare against Jamshedpur FC, the defensive-midfielder made a huge improvement. He was strong alongside Sauvik in the center, filling in for talisman Joao Victor who was unavailable. 

Yasir Mohammad - 7.5

The winger was exceptional for the Nizams, particularly with his dribbling and distribution. It was Yasir’s brilliant aerial through ball that led to HFC’s second goal courtesy of Joel Chianese. 

Joel Chianese - 7.0

The Australian was crucial to HFC’s win as his goal turned out to be the difference-maker in the end. He created two scoring chances as well in addition to the 61 touches he had on the ball. 

Rohit Danu - 7.0

The youngster scored the opener after having scored in the reverse fixture as well. The forward did not make a major impact apart from the goal and had to leave the field after pulling his hamstring in the second half. 

Javier Siverio - 6.5

The young Spaniard was marked well by the MCFC defence and found it tough to get on the end of scoring chances. When he felt isolated, Siverio fell back to get involved in the build-up play but could not get a shot on goal in a quiet performance.

Substitutions

Akash Mishra - 6.0

The left-back was an immediate improvement on the flank, giving no breathing space to Vikram Singh. He was crucial to HFC’s strong defensive structure in the last phase of the match. Mishra made two clearances, two interceptions and two blocks.

Halicharan Narzary - 5.5

The winger made his comeback after a long spell on the sidelines due to an injury. However, he had only nine touches on the ball after playing 18 minutes of football.

Abdul Anjukandan - N/A

Came on too late to make an impact.

Mumbai City FC (By Riddhiman Sarkar)

Phurba Lachenpa - 6

The young Mumbai City keeper looked to be a bit rusty as he conceded some simple goals and made a few errors against Hyderabad FC. Made a total of five saves and completed two successful off-the-line collections.

Amey Ranawade - 6

The returning right back had a decent night out as he generated one key pass, got 49 touches on the ball and won all of his ground (four) and aerial duels (one). He came off for Mohammad Rakip in the 72nd minute. 

Mourtada Fall - 7

Made up somewhat for his team’s defensive lapses by popping up from a set-piece situation and heading home past Kattimani. Also won six out of his eight aerial duels and made six clearances.

Mehtab Singh - 6

The breakthrough center-back lacked his usual composure but managed to keep the basics right. Got on the ball 78 times and made two interceptions but could only come out on top of the pile thrice among his seven aerial duels.

Mandar Rao Dessai- 5.5

Not too active in defending as his only contribution was winning his only aerial duel in the 54 minutes he played. He was taken off for Vignesh Dakshinamurthy after he completed three out of his four long balls and had an 82% passing accuracy. 

Apuia - 6.5

Apuia played way too many sideward and back passes than needed as he and Vinit played identical roles. Buckingham decided to keep him on as he sacrificed Vinit Rai in order to allow Mumbai to break through the lines more while building up attacks. Completed 84% of his passes and won 10 out of 13 ground duels. 

Vinit Rai - 6.5

Relatably better showing from the midfield conductor in an Islanders shirt as he completed all five of his attempted long balls, won four out of his seven ground duels, and completed his only take-on. He was substituted off for Bradden Inman in the 55th minute.

Vikram Pratap Singh - 6 

Very confident performance from the young winger as he looked to be one of Mumbai’s brightest sparks in attack. Subbed off for Raynier Fernandes in the 87th minute as he completed two of his five take-ons and got 34 touches on the ball.

Cassinho- 7

Floated in a well-weighted aerial delivery towards Fall in the 76th minute to reduce the arrears for Mumbai City. He repeatedly threatened as he displayed his finesse in dribbling out of tight spaces and getting a shot on goal. The Brazilian ended the match with a total of four key passes and an 81% passing accuracy. 

Bipin Singh - 6.5

Another subdued performance from the Indian winger as consistency proves to be his biggest challenge. Made one key pass but only one of his six crosses found their target.

Igor Angulo - 6

The Spaniard barely made his mark as he was once again the prey of his own mistimed running, getting caught offside twice. Only 17 touches and one off-target shot saw him leave the fray for Diego Mauricio in the 55th minute. 

Substitutes 

Vignesh Dakshinamurthy - 6

More reliable than Mandar at left-back but could not combine well in attack. Had 32 touches on the ball after coming on but none of his three crosses were accurate. 

Brad Inman - 6.5

Proved to be more decisive than Vinit Rai as he generated two key passes with only 22 touches on the ball and won all three of his ground duels. 

Diego Mauricio - 6.5

Had two genuine chances to get Mumbai back on level terms but squandered them. Looked to be more involved than Angulo as he also got his only shot off-target but completed 91% of his passes. 

Mohammad Rakip - 6.5

Got only 13 touches after being introduced and completed all eight of his passes.

Raynier Fernandes - 6.5

Replaced Vikram Singh’s pace with his pinpoint passing and effective dribbling as he made one key pass within only ten minutes of gameplay but to no avail.

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