Ratings: Roshan stars for Bengaluru yet again in win over Kerala Blasters

The victory takes The Blues into the top four for the first time this season.

A COVID-hit Kerala Blasters were edged past by Bengaluru FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in the Indian Super League game on Sunday. The Kochi-based side trained with all of their available players only once since the pandemic outbreak hit their camp. Kerala Blasters showed commendable grit and didn't allow Bengaluru FC get anywhere close to their goal from open play.

However, a foul right in front of the box from Lalthathanga Khawlhring on Danish Farooq earned the Blues a chance to break the deadlock in the 56th minute. Naorem Roshan Singh stood up and beat a diving Prabhsukhan Gill with a delightful free-kick. The 22-year-old scored his first goal of the season, handing Marco Pezzaiuoli's side all three points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8olcOryEAwA

The loss halted Kerala Blasters' 10-match unbeaten run this season and extended Bengaluru FC's unbeaten run to seven games. The Blues also entered the top four for the first this season, displacing ATK Mohun Bagan to fifth. Both teams now have 20 points each, but Bengaluru FC are fourth having played two games more, while Kerala Blasters are third after 12 matches.

Take a look at the player ratings of both teams from today's match.

Kerala Blasters FC (by Shivam Tiwari)

Prabhsukhan Singh Gill - 6.0

With a solid defence infront of him, Gill had very little to do throughout the game. Even in the tightest situations from point-blank range, he could count on his defence to bail the team out, before it needed the Indian youngster to intervene. He couldn't do much about Roshan Singh's strike.

Harmanjot Khabra - 6.5

Harmanjot Khabra showed grit to cover ground as much as he did, after a long period of quarantine and no training. The Indian veteran defended his flank substantially and combined with the likes of Adrian Luna and Jorge Diaz in the opposition box. He finished with three shots and seven tackles from the game.

Ruivah Hormipam - 6.5

Ruivah Hormipam was Marko Leskovic's partner in the centre of the defence. The 21-year-old put in a great shift to keep things tight. He also tried to help his side through the occasional flank-switching passes.

Marko Leskovic - 7.0

With the attack suffering, the onus was on Kerala's defence to get something from the game. Leskovic orchestrated his defence like a leader throughout the game and made sure Bengaluru didn't have any chances from open play. However, a beautiful free-kick undid the good work that Leskovic and his fellow teammates put in.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Nishu Kumar - 8.0

He was the best player for KBFC against his former employers. Nishu helped Kerala Blasters regain the ball and clear from Sunil Chhetri, when the Bengaluru FC and Indian captain was through on goal. He also played progressive passes that helped the Blasters build their attack from the left.

Lalthathanga Khawlhring - 5.0

Lalthathanga Khawlhring was perhaps Kerala's least effective player on the night. The midfielder also failed to keep his cool and earned himself a place in the referee's book because of a distasteful challenge.

Khawlhring's challenge handed Naorem Roshan Singh the opportunity to take the free kick. He made three fouls and created a chance for his team.

Jeakson Singh - 5.5

Jeakson's most notable moment of the game was the long pass that he made for Jorge Diaz to chase the ball in the second half. That move earned the Blasters an opportunity to take a shot from a great position. He finished with 74% passing accuracy and five tackles.

Sahal Abdul Samad - 5.0

Sahal looked exhausted and ran out of gas. He was anonymous on the pitch for most of the game. However, the Indian international could have given his side the equalizer had he crossed instead of shooting from a difficult angle, moments before he was substituted. He created a chance and put one cross in the box.

Adrian Luna - 8.5

Adrian Luna ensured that the fans got to see one of his best performances for the Kochi-based side. He combined well with Nishu Kumar and was the fastest player on the pitch in the first half. He finished the game with five chances, made as many crosses and had a shot on target.

Jorge Diaz - 7.0

Diaz was in the right spot to receive a cross when Sahal decided to take the shot in a move in the second half. Diaz had an opportunity to score later, but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu rushed towards him to deny the Argentinean the opportunity. He finished with two shots, one of which was on target and a chance created.

[KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Alvaro Vazquez - 6.0

Vazquez suffered like most of his teammates throughout the game. He looked off the pace and was frustrated. The Spanish forward decided to take it out on Parag Shrivas and earned a needless booking. He finished the game with two shots on target.

Substitutions

Sanjeev Stalin - 5.0

Sanjeev Stalin's only notable moment was when the youngster fouled Danish Farooq from behind after chasing him for a while. The referee didn't book Stalin since it was his first foul of the game.

Prasanth Karuthadathkuni - N/A

Prasanth played for nine minutes and completed all three of his passes.

Chencho Gyeltshen - N/A

Chencho came on the 88th minute.

Denechandra Meitei - N/A

Meitei replaced Nishu Kumar on the 88th minute.

Bengaluru FC (by Sattyik Sarkar)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – 7.5

Made five saves, out of which four were from inside the box. Also made a high claim.

Parag Shrivas – 7.0 

Made three interceptions and committed two tackles. Won five out of six ground duels. Lost possession of the ball 18 times. Just two of his eight long balls were accurate.

Pratik Chaudhuri – 7.0 

Made five clearances and two interceptions. Also, blocked a shot. Won the solitary aerial duel and one out of three ground duels. Lost possession of the ball 12 times and gave away two fouls. Four of his 11 long balls were accurate.

[KH_ADWORDS type="2" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Wungngayam Muirang – 6.0

Was subbed off in the second half. Made an interception during his stay. Won one out of two ground duels. Didn’t participate in an aerial one. Gave away a foul and lost possession of the ball seven times. Four of his seven long balls were accurate.

Roshan Singh – 8.5

Scored the solitary goal tonight from a brilliant free-kick. Made two clearances and an interception. Won two out of three ground duels and the solitary aerial duel. Delivered three key passes. Was successful in the solo dribbling attempt. Also, registered a shot on target.

Danish Farooq – 7.0

Both his long balls were accurate. One of his two crosses successfully found the man. Was successful in two of the four dribbling attempts. He won seven out of 10 ground duels and two of the three aerial ones. Defensively, made four clearances and an interception. Also went on to commit a tackle.

Bruno Ramires – 6.5

Delivered a key pass tonight. Three of his four long balls were accurate. Won all three aerial duels and just two of the six ground duels. Gave away four fouls. Defensively, made three clearances and interceptions each. 

Suresh Singh Wangjam – 7.0

Suresh won all 10 ground duels. Committed three tackles and made a clearance. He was fouled seven times on the pitch.

Prince Ibarra – 6

All three of his shots were off target and he also missed a big chance. Won two out of five ground duels and five out of seven aerial duels. Lost possession of the ball 17 times. Committed two tackles and earned a yellow card.

[KH_ADWORDS type="1" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

Sunil Chhetri – 7.0

Chhetri registered two shots on target. He was successful in both the dribbling attempts. Enjoyed a passing accuracy of 83%.

Udanta Singh – 7.5

Delivered seven key passes. Was successful in one of his two dribbling attempts. His solitary long ball and cross were accurate. Also, created a big chance this evening. Won three of the six ground duels and two out of four aerial ones. Lost possession of the ball 10 times and was fouled twice.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |Article Continues Below"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Substitutes

Cleiton Silva – 6.5

Registered a shot on target. Missed a big chance tonight. Delivered two key passes. Won the solitary aerial duel and one of the two ground ones. Also, made two clearances. Lost possession of the ball seven times.

Alan Costa – 6.5

Came on in the second half and added to the defensive third. Won the solitary aerial duel. Delivered a key pass tonight. His solitary long ball was also accurate. 

Rohit Kumar – 6.5

Made a clearance and interception each and also won one of the two aerial duels.

For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.