Prabir Das the standout as ATK edge NorthEast in battle of bottom half scrappers

Portuguese Zequinha scored the only goal of the game in the second half for the Bengal Tigers.

ATK edged the hosts NorthEast UNITED FC 0-1 on a cold evening game at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The Kolkata based side were comfortable in keeping possession and when their counterparts from the Northeast had the ball, they couldn’t do anything decisive. For the Highlanders, their win over FC Goa in the last game proved to be flash in the pan as they made a return to their losing ways.

Here’s how the Indian players on both the sides rated.

Watch: NorthEast United 0-1 ATK highlights

NorthEast United

TP Rehenesh -7.5

Rehenesh save

The NEUFC goalkeeper had a good game under the sticks, making a couple of vital saves and catches that didn’t allow the match to get out their hands. Couldn’t do much about the goal, a peach of a strike from Zequinha.

Nirmal Chettri -5.5

Came out 2nd best in his duels against Zequinha on his side of the defence, clearly struggled against the pace of the Portuguese winger all day, allowing him to exploit a lot of space on the flanks.

Reagan Singh -4.0

Played only for 37 minutes before being forced off by injury, didn’t have much impact in his cameo, being more content in spraying long balls upfield rather than building up play.

Rowllin Borges -6.0

Didn’t have many answers against the midfield dominance of Ryan Taylor and co. Upped his game a little as his team began chasing an equaliser, sending a few threatening balls forward. To his credit, finished the game with a 75% passing accuracy.

Malemngamba Meitei -7.0

Malemngamba Meitei post-ATK interview

Making only his 2nd start of the league, the Manipuri lad on the right wing looked good with the ball at his feet, tried hard to keep possession and also help out his team defensively. Got behind the ATK defence well, but the final ball wasn’t quite there.

Holicharan Narzary -6.0

Looked lethargic and was Kept in check by the impressive Prabir Das all game long, his passing accuracy of just 55% bears testimony to an average game by the India International. Looked dangerous as the Highlanders went forward in the search for an equaliser, one shot by his weaker right foot missing the top frame of the goal by inches.

Substitutes

Robert Lalthlamuana -6.5

Came on for the injured Reagan Singh, the former ATK player put up an energetic performance making a team high of 4 tackles. Also did well in blocking a goal bound attempt from Jayesh Rane when he was put on through by Ryan Taylor

Sushil Meitei -NA

Not on long enough to get a rating.

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ATK

Debjit Majumdar -6.5

Debjit save

Didn’t have much to do the whole game but made the best save of the match when he put away Danilo’s stinging effort at goal in the early seconds of the 2nd half.

Prabir Das -8.5

The 24-year-old had an excellent day at the office and didn’t put a foot wrong the entire game. The right-back was confident in possession with a passing accuracy of 81%, also made runs up the pitch to good effect. Made a couple of vital interceptions and was quickest to react and steal a ball meant for Holicharan that eventually lead to the only goal of the match.

Keegan Pereira -7.0

Didn’t do much wrong the whole game, linked up well with Zequinha and was an useful outlet on the left flank, sending in 5 crosses and also a couple of dangerous long balls forward.

Hitesh Sharma -6.0

Playing in the hole behind the striker in place of the injured Robbie Keane, the young lad provided little creativity being overshadowed by the defensive pairing of Sambinha and Goncalves. Was unlucky not to win a penalty in the 1st half when he was quite clearly fouled in the box by Goncalves

Jayesh Rane -6.0

The winger was lively on the flanks but didn’t do much to trouble the Highlanders defence. Should have done a lot better when he has sent through on goal by Ryan Taylor

Robin Singh -7.0

His work rate on the night was impressive, coped well with the physical presence at the heart of NorthEast United’s defence. He did well to make room and have a pop at goal, that was saved and the resulting clearance that fell to Zequinha that decided the fate of the match

Substitutes

Rupert Nongrum -NA

Not on long enough to get a rating

Shankar Sampingaraj -NA

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Not on long enough to get a rating