Indian Player Ratings: Pritam Kotal and Lallianzuala Chhangte put in energetic displays in a narrow win for ATK

Super-sub Ankit Mukherjee scored the winner for the hosts.

ATK finished their Indian Super League (ISL) season on a positive note, defeating Delhi Dynamos 2-1, at the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday. After Edu Garcia had opened the scoring in the 63rd minute, substitute Nandhakumar Sekar equalized things nine minutes later.

However, super-sub Ankit Mukherjee scored his first ISL goal to win them the game, enabling ATK to attain direct qualification for the Super Cup with a sixth finish, while Delhi Dynamos need to go through the playoffs.

.@ATKFC left it late to end @DelhiDynamos' six-match unbeaten streak and seal their spot in the top 6⃣ with a 2-1 victory. More videos: https://t.co/8jtqJIAZIh#ISLRecap #LetsFootball #HeroISL #FanBannaPadega #KOLDEL pic.twitter.com/PUtgyE8oXW

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 3, 2019

Watch: ATK 2-1 Delhi Dynamos, Goals and Highlights

Here are the ratings of the Indian players, who participated in the game:

ATK

Arindam Bhattacharya - 6.0

Arindam had a busy day in between the posts, having to stay alert because of the unpredictability of Delhi’s attack. He made three decent saves but was alert to confidently collect some high crosses and keeping up his side’s hope of getting a win throughout it's course.

Pritam Kotal - 7.0

Playing against his former side, Kotal did a pretty good job in keeping up with Lallianzuala Chhangte. He completed his defensive duties compellingly, most notably showing his own pace by recovering to stop Chhangte from going through on goal in the first half. He made five tackles and four clearances in a gritty defensive display, but his best contribution was his stunning assist for Edu Garcia’s opener.

Ricky Lallawmawma - 6.0

Ricky had a bit of a tricky time against the skilfull Romeo Fernandes but eventually held his own from allowing him to cause fatal problems. He made nine clearances but picked up a silly yellow-card after cynically bringing down his man. Lost his concentration for the goal, allowing Nandha to beat him for the goal.

Pronoy Halder - 5.5

As usual, Halder picked up a yellow card. However, the steely midfielder did well to keep their midfield quiet and made four tackles, adding to his hard-hitting reputation. However, Halder was caught out silly for the Delhi goal, allowing Chhangte to make a pass through him too easily.

Jayesh Rane - 6.0

Rane ended up having a polarizing game, as he got into promising positions but couldn’t create that final blow for his side. After being very ineffective in the first half, he improved really well in the second period, often going past his man and showing impressive trickery and bursts of pace. He did put some creative passes forward but was unlucky not to get anything from it.

Komal Thatal - 6.5

The youngster gave a good showing for himself before the U-23 national team duties. Thatal was a bright figure in the final third, using his pace and trickery to bamboozle Delhi’s defenders at instances. He made a fantastic through-ball to Edu Garcia in the first half, one which should’ve earned a penalty for ATK. Thatal also made some good runs forward in the second half, but was substituted after the goal as protective measures.

Substitutes

Ankit Mukherjee - 7.0

Steve Coppell sent Ankit to provide defensive cover after ATK took the lead, but probably didn’t perceive him scoring the winner. The right-back showcased his attacking qualities really well by moving past his man and scoring a solid goal to end ATK’s campaign on a positive note. Could’ve even scored another one in the dying moments, but forced a good save from the goalkeeper.

Balwant Singh - 5.5

Balwant did make one vintage run towards the box after coming, on but flipped up in the end, summing up his disappointing season.

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Delhi Dynamos

Rana Gharami - 6.0

The former Mohun Bagan did great work in keeping Rane quiet, keeping him in check and marking him out of the game. He showed his defensive prowess with compelling performance, making three tackles, four clearances along with a couple of important blocks and interceptions. However, he got injured in the second half, forcing Gombau to substitute him.

Narayan Das - 6.0

Narayan put in another sturdy performance at the back, not allowing ATK from moving through his side. He kept Thatal at bay and put end to multiple attacks through his side, making five clearances and four tackles. On the attack, he was always a threat with his looping crosses, one which perfect fell for Mihelic in the second half, but the midfielder couldn’t place his shot into the goal. Outsmarted by Mukherjee, who got past him for the winner.

Vinit Rai - 7.0

Rai put in another energetic performance for the Dynamos, working well with Adria Carmona in the middle and often producing moments of brilliance for his side. He helped his side control possession, having an 80% passing accuracy from 80+ passing and creating one great chance when he sent Romeo Fernandes through on goal. Defensively stable as well, he made three interceptions as well to found of a tidy performance.

Romeo Fernandes - 6.5

.@romeogoa19 connected well but could have directed the ball slightly better!Watch it LIVE on @hotstartweets: https://t.co/9IpSShKhwUJioTV users can watch it LIVE on the app. #HeroISL #ISLMoments #LetsFootball #KOLDEL #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/0P0AxOSQbF

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 3, 2019

Fernandes had a decent outing against ATK

Romeo was a hard-working figure on the right for the Lions, not only willing forward but helping his side defensively as well. He made things very difficult for Ricky with his movement, often going past him with bursts of pace and skilfull moments. He had a close shave at goal in the first half, when his shot breezed just wide of the target in the first half. Substituted in the second half after running out of steam.

Lallianzuala Chhangte - 7.0

Chhangte was electric as ever on the left-flank, retaining his reputation as Delhi’s biggest threat due to his pace. He moved forward with vigour on multiple opportunities, outpacing Pritam Kotal with his incredible pace. The left-winger had a great chance early in the second half when he went through on goal, but his shot was saved by Arindam. He later moved into space again, but this time ended up assisting Nadha’s equalizer with a clever pass to cap off another solid performance.

Daniel Lalhlimpuia - 5.0

Daniel had a frustrating night being isolated by Bikey and Johnson, finding it difficult to go past them and get into promising situations. While he did make some good movement and create a few decent chances, he ended up being quite ineffective afterwards.

Substitutes

Mohammed Sajid Dhot - 6.0

Dhot came in for Gharami with a half hour to go and while he didn’t really make any errors, he should’ve closed off Garcia more quickly before he could assist the winner.

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Nandhakumar Sekar - 7.0

The super-sub for Delhi Dynamos. He came in when they needed a goal and delivered just under ten minutes after doing so. Sekar’s powerful finish was unstoppable, as he salvaged a point for Delhi in their final ISL game.