Indian Player Ratings: Dheeraj Singh the only beacon of hope as Kerala Blasters hold Chennaiyin

The Southern Derby saw several missed opportunities by both sides. 

The Southern Derby that was played between Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters ended in a draw with neither side able to get on the score-sheet. Both sides have endured a difficult ISL season so far and this result will do their respective playoffs push no favours.

Both John Gregory and David James made a host of changes to their respective sides following their previous outings.

 

 

 

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Watch: Chennaiyin FC 0-0 Kerala Blasters highlights

We at Khel Now will take you through the Indian players' ratings from the match:

Chennaiyin FC

Sanjiban Ghosh – 6.0

Alert save from Sanjiban Ghosh to deny Sahal Samad! ????Watch it LIVE on @hotstartweets: https://t.co/UsXXjjZgonJioTV users can watch it LIVE on the app. #HeroISL #ISLMoments #LetsFootball #CHEKER #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/jnqxBBZOEX

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 29, 2018

Sanjiban had a decent showing with some good saves

The goalkeeper was brought into the side in place of Karanjit Singh. The 27-year-old made a few poor clearances throughout the game, but was solid for the most part keeping a clean-sheet in his first match for the Marina Machans this season.

Laldinliana Renthlei – 5.5

The young defender was often challenged by the pace of Kerala Blasters’ Holicharan Nazary, but held his ground throughout the game. He failed to deliver going forward.

Jerry Lalrinzuala – 5.0

The full-back had his hands full dealing with Keziron Kizito who often dribbled right past Lalrinzuala to set up his teammates with useful balls. Jerry’s attacking play also left a lot to be desired with wayward crosses from the left-hand side.

Thoi Singh – 6.5

The hardworking midfielder was one of Chennai’s best players on the night. However, he was left to rue missed opportunities for easy goals after good work to get himself into positions of danger. It was just one of those days for the winger who will hope to improve in the coming games.

Issac Vanmalsawma – 6.0

Vanmalsawma was pushed into a wider, more attacking role than his usual midfield base by Gregory for this game. The midfielder found himself on the end of an early goalscoring opportunity which he spurned. Issac was a threat to the Kerala defence for most of the game and found himself opening up channels for Jeje to exploit by his movement.

Jeje Lalpekhlua – 6.5

Close but not good enough to give @ChennaiyinFC the lead from @jejefanai!Watch it LIVE on @hotstartweets: https://t.co/UsXXjjZgonJioTV users can watch it LIVE on the app. #HeroISL #ISLMoments #LetsFootball #CHEKER #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/y24Y5pjLpX

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 29, 2018

The Mizo Sniper still needs to come back on form

Jeje was very unlucky not to get himself a goal or an assist in the game. The striker worked hard to exploit the spaces left open by the Kerala defenders and would have broken his goalscoring duck were it not for the brilliance of Dheeraj Moirangthem.

Substitutions

Anirudh Thapa – 5.0

The 20-year-old came on in the 83rd minute and did not contribute too much to the game. He offered an extra body in midfield to stop any Kerala Blasters counter attacks.

Francisco Fernandes – NA

Came late into the game. Did not make much impact to the game.

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Kerala Blasters

Dheeraj Moirangthem – 7.5

.@dhee_singh01's brilliance continues in Chennai!Watch it LIVE on @hotstartweets: https://t.co/UsXXjjZgonJioTV users can watch it LIVE on the app. #HeroISL #ISLMoments #LetsFootball #CHEKER #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/z7QI1maOwX

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 29, 2018

The youngster was the best player on the field

Arguably the only reason why Kerala walked away from the game with a point, Dheeraj was excellent in the Blasters’ net. He made a series of crucial saves and was not afraid to put his body on the line to make important clearances. An excellent performance from the youngster.

Anas Edathodika – 5.5

The veteran defender was often caught sleeping by the pace of Jeje and the ingenuity of Andrea Orlandi. He has his goalkeeper to thank for his mistakes not being punished. Anas has failed to prove himself in the absence of Sandesh Jinghan.

Mohammad Rakip – 6.0

The defender looked to get forward at every opportunity, playing a few crucial balls forward to his attackers which gave the Blasters the little attacking imputes that they displayed throughout the game. Rakip had trouble dealing with the constant movement of Isaac but was not ultimately punished by Chennaiyin.

Zakeer Mundampara – 5.5

Mundampara was missing for large parts of the game and failed to influence proceedings from his midfield base. He will hope to have more impressive outings in his club’s upcoming games.

Halicharan Narzary – 6.0

Narzary was a constant thorn in the side of the Chennaiyin FC defence with his constant pressing putting pressure on Inigo Calderon in the opposition midfield.

Sahal Abdul Samad – 5.5

The Kerala midfielder was asked to play further up the pitch rather than in his deeper lying role by David James. Samad often looked uncomfortable in attack as his side broke with pace. He seems to be more suited to his role guarding the back four or as a link between attack and defence.

Substitutions

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Sandesh Jhingan – 6.0

Several eyebrows were raised when Jhingan was left out of the starting line-up. He came on in the 77th minute but slotted into an attacking position as James went hell for leather in search of a goal. The classy player almost got himself an assist by floating a ball over the top to Poplatnik who spurned the header.