#THAIND Player Ratings: Midfield trident impress as India notch up first win under Igor Stimac

The Blue Tigers scored the only goal of the game in the first half and ended up handing on for the win.

India ended their King's Cup campaign on a winning note, defeating hosts Thailand 0-1 at the Chang Arena in Buriram on Saturday. The solitary goal from Anirudh Thapa was enough to give Igor Stimac his first win in-charge of the Blue Tigers. The Indians, who played a brand of encouraging, crisp football and were led by Adil Khan, managed to keep Thailand quiet with his solid defending.

Watch: Thailand 0-1 India highlights

Here are our player ratings for the game:

India

Amrinder Singh- 6.0

Replacing Gurpreet, Amrinder had little to do, but looked confident. Made a superb save in the dying moments to keep his clean-sheet and gain ground on India’s #1 position. 

Watch: Rahul Bheke looked more confident on the ball against Thailand

Rahul Bheke- 6.0

Operating from right-back, Bheke seemed more comfortable, but was goaded into making mistakes. Allowed Theerathon to get behind him too easily and was caught out of position to compromise the defensive shape.

Adil Khan- 8.5

Playing for India after seven years, the 30-year-old operated like a regular. He was always in key positions to make up for his compatriots' mistakes, making crunching tackles, crucial clearances and blocks to frustrate Thailand. Also assisted Thapa with a perfect curling pass, topping off a wonderful performance which should solidify his claim for a regular spot.

Sandesh Jhingan- 6.0

The India captain barely operated like one. Jhingan was outwitted multiple times and couldn’t replicate his partner’s heroics. Almost cost his team a goal when Tanthatemee won the aerial battle, but Thapa’s goal-line clearance saved his blushes. Improved in the second half, winning some key challenges to show signs of his returning to his usual self.

Subhasish Bose- 7.0

Affirmed his defensive strength after a poor game against Curacao. Bose was much more assertive with his defending, making timely challenges to win back possession and helping his centre-backs with confident clearances. Also made a crucial block to deny Supachai and retain his side’s lead in the first half.

Watch: Thailand 0-1 India Igor Stimac post-match press conference

Vinit Rai- 7.0

Rai helped maintain a compact midfield. His flair was evident in clever passes, as he linked-up with teammates and controlled possession very well. Also used his persistence to win back possession and help to provide extra protection for his defence.

Amarjit Singh Kiyam- 7.0

Handed his full India debut, the youngster was an industrial figure in midfield. Kiyam made some crunching challenges, was precise with his passing and embodied the fiery spirit to keep his side from getting bullied in midfield.  

Raynier Fernandes- 6.5

The hard-working midfielder helped provide some cover for Bheke and initiated counter-attacks really well by winning back possession multiple times. Marched forward with vigour through the right, while his link-up play created some exciting moments.

Anirudh Thapa- 8.0

After being benched in the first game, Thapa made a statement to the coach. The youngster’s clever running throughout the final third and incisive passing allowed India to work their way forward. Scored a well-taken goal, showcasing his predatorial instincts and was superb with his set-piece defending, making a terrific goal-line clearance to save his side.

Watch: Igor Stimac had previously stated that he will be giving chances to more players

Farukh Choudhary- 6.0

Farukh was a menace to Thailand’s defenders with his bursting runs forward. However, he was often left isolated after getting into promising positions. Wasted a glorious opportunity late in the first half, when poor decision-making cost him, but almost redeemed himself when his shot struck the post soon after the interval.  

Balwant Singh- 5.0

Despite using his physicality well to hold on to possession, Balwant was frustrated apart from that. He barely made clever runs, got bullied by opposition defenders and scuffed the few chances he received. Was substituted after a timid performance.

Substitutions

Manvir Singh- 6.0

Moved into clever positions to fool the defenders, but didn’t really get many swipes at goal.

Jackichand Singh- 6.0

The FC Goa winger troubled the tired Thailand defenders with his quick movement down the wing. He did get into promising situations, but his final delivery was underwhelming.

Sahal Abdul Samad- 6.0

Came on with only a few minutes remaining, but brought life to India. Made some clever passes and helped retain a sense of calm in the Blue Tigers’ counter-attacks.

Also Read

• India debutants react after Curacao game

• Bhaichung Bhutia congratulates Sunil Chhetri on record-breaking 108th international appearance for India

Thailand

Siwarak Tedsungngen- 6.0

Couldn’t really do much about Thapa’s goal, as his defence let him down in that move. Almost had a humiliating moment when he misjudged a back-pass, but Thongsong saved his blushes, heroically.

Tristan Do- 6.5

Do was quite menacing going forward, making some impressive runs and inviting crosses to threaten the Blue Tigers.

Pawee Tanthatemee- 6.0

The young defender did pretty well to keep the opposition strikers quiet with some dominat defending. Was robbed off a goal when his thunderous header was cleared just off the line. Was later subbed off for a change in formation.

Adison Promrak- 5.5

Adison was assertive with his defending, but ended up making a botched clearance which led to Thapa’s goal and put his side under pressure.

Suphan Thongsong- 6.5

Did well to keep India from attacking through the left, keeping tight to the attackers and making some crunching challenges to win back possession.

Theerathon Bunmathan- 7.0

Theerathon was arguably his side’s most dangerous attacking outlet, as he terrorized Bheke through the left. The left wing-back’s incisive runs behind their defence troubled India, while his crosses and creative passes brought life to Thailand’s static attack.

Tanaboon Kesarat- 5.0

While Kesarat’s distribution was fine, he struggled against the robust Indian midfield. He also allowed Khan to make the assist too easily, with his complacency costing Thailand.

Sumanya Purisay- 6.0

Sumanya was almost everywhere in attack, bursting into promising positions and slipping in clever passes through the spaces to trouble the Indian defenders.

Thitipan Puangjan- 6.0

Thitipan wasn’t really as involved in attack as he would have wanted to be, barely creating chances for his striker or getting shots on goal. He switched off to allow Thapa to move past him to score the goal, something which must’ve annoyed coach Yodyadthai.

Supachai Chaided- 6.5

The striker was proactive with his movement in the final third, always being a menace with his electric nature. Had a few swipes at goal, but nothing profitable came off them.

Teerasil Dangda- 5.5

The Thailand captain ended up getting outsmarted by the Indian defenders. Struck a stunning overhead finish which was ruled out for offside.  Had a powerful header saved in the last minute to top off a frustrating game on a poor note.

Substitutions

Supachok Sarachat- 6.5

Brought life to Thailand’s attack with his exciting presence. Supachok thrilled the fans with his incisive movement in the final third, getting past defenders and also making creative passes.  However, he ended up being frustrated by the defenders defusing his contribution.

Peeradol Chamrasamee- 6.0

Was brought on to give more power to Thailand’s attack, but couldn’t really make much of an impact. Ended up missing a free header from Theerathon’s delightful set-piece late on.

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Pansa Hemviboon- NA

Didn’t really do much after coming on.