Indian Player Ratings: Balwant Singh has a game to remember, Lalrinzuala Chhangte fails to impress

Indians scored two of the three goals in the match.

On a slightly cool night in Delhi, ATK registered their first win of the Indian Super League 2018-19 season, as Delhi Dynamos faced their first loss. In an exciting encounter, there were two debutants, Shubham Sarangi for Delhi and Komal Thatal for ATK.

.@ATKFC dug deep and carved out a hard-fought win over @DelhiDynamos tonight.More videos: https://t.co/mrtZlxvu6i #ISLRecap #LetsFootball #DELKOL #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/fE8m9ffdcL

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 17, 2018

Watch: Delhi 1-2 ATK highlights

Let’s take a look at how the Indian players performed in the match:

Delhi Dynamos

Pritam Kotal - 7.5

.@KotalPritam eludes his marker to get on the end of a Narayan Das corner but his header goes high.Watch it LIVE on @hotstartweets: https://t.co/EY6w0Ok3kUJioTV users can watch it LIVE on the app. #ISLMoments #LetsFootball #DELKOL #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/QJVUFmP6HY

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 17, 2018

Watch: Although, Kotal scored, he missed a golden opportunity to score another

The Dynamos captain had an underwhelming first half and his drive to move forward on the flank leaked the first goal. He was often caught leaving space in behind which the stand-in left winger of ATK Balwant Singh duly exploited, leading to an excellent strike which put the visitors in front on 20 minutes.

However, the former Mohun Bagan player equalized through a corner, pulling his team back into the game. 

Rana Gharami - 6.5

The star goalscorer from the previous game had a decent outing altogether. He kept the former Dynamos' target man Kalu Uche in check, whilst guarding the space left behind by ball-playing defender Marti Crespi Pascual. Though, his lack of pace cost Delhi the crucial three points. 

He had a better time on the field than Crespi, overshadowing his Spanish partner with more clearances, winning more aerial duels and also assisting the equalizer by Kotal.

Narayan Das - 7.0

The former FC Goa player was seen running down the flank quite swiftly. Though he was outrun by the young Komal Thatal at times. The senior India international's experience came in handy to tame the youngster. He kept the engine running on the left flank, allowing Lallianzuala Chhangte to move forward and cross the ball into the box.

He took the corner that gave the home side its much-needed equaliser.

Vinit Rai - 7.0

The Tata Football Academy graduate did what he was asked to. He started the game in place of Marcos Tebar, essentially deployed to shield the back four from cruciating balls. Having his presence all over the field, from running box-to-box, to dropping deep in defence to relieve the full-backs, was invaluable. His long-balls to either wing were beautiful.

He completed 86% of his passes, one of the best rates on the field.

Shubham Sarangi - 6.5

Making his first start for the team, Shubham had huge boots to fill. With Tebar and Bikramjit Singh's exclusions due to injuries, it was all down to Sarangi and Rai to keep the midfield ticking. The youngster had steady a game against the likes of Manuel Lanzarote and Pronay Halder. 

He was the perfect partner for Rai, blocking three shots and attempting to provide cutting through-balls all across the match. He was subbed out of the game on the hour mark.

NandhaKumar Sekar - 6.0

The 22-year-old player from Tamil Nadu was not at his personal best. He was often taken in control by rival full-back Ricky Lallawmawma, who barred him from attempting his trademark crosses.

His link-up play with Pritam Kotal was a treat to watch, but once Delhi had equalized, Nandha had to make way for Romeo Fernandes in the 66th minute.

Lallianzuala Chhangte - 6.0

The posterboy of the club has not been impressive at all. His trademark skills which made him the player he is now, were absent and he failed to impose himself physically on the left wing.

He attempted five crosses and three dribbles and none of them were a success. Astonishingly, his tackling near the opposition box was great, but he failed to do his job of creating and scoring goals.

Substitutes

Romeo Fernandes - 6.0

Romeo was one of the sublime performers for the Dynamos last season and in this game, Josep Gombau brought him in to ignite the right wing. Though his understanding with Kotal is good, they failed to create anything together.

In the nearly 30 minutes he played, he struggled with the through-balls provided to him and with the crosses he attempted.

Seiminmang Manchong - NA

The player did not play enough to assess his performance. He came on in the 87th minute and failed to do much.

ALSO READ:

• Josep Gombau feels Delhi had their chances, Steve Coppell praises Komal Thatal

• ATK defeat Delhi Dynamos to notch first victory of season

• John Gregory believes in Jeje's capability, Eelco Schattorie hoping to exploit opposition weakness

ATK

Arindam Bhattacharya - 7.0

Arindam gets down well to save a dangerous shot from Marti Crespi. The rebound falls to Nandhakumar Sekar, who skies it.Watch it LIVE on @hotstartweets: https://t.co/EY6w0Ok3kUJioTV users can watch it LIVE on the app. #ISLMoments #LetsFootball #DELKOL #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/NuQuWIO716

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 17, 2018

Arindam made some key saves throughout the fixture to win the match for ATK

Though Delhi did not pose a lethal threat in the game, his ability to reach and spot the upcoming crosses came in handy. Nullifying more than 10 crosses and corners is no mean feat.

He kept the Kolkata team in the game on numerous occasions, especially in the second half. There wasn’t much to do with Kotal’s equalizer, but a timely punch would have earned him a clean-sheet.

Aiborlang Khongjee - 6.5

The versatile full-back kept Chhangte in check, pressing and intercepting his balls with ease. The playing style of Khongjee provided the zest and needed balls for Komal Thatal to run amok on the right wing.

He had a couple of clearances and three interceptions to claim and trouble the hosts.

Ricky Lallawmawma - 6.5

The duo of Kotal and Nandhakumar Sekar got the better of the former Aizawl player. He was often seen entangled by the pace of the pair and their link-up play.

Overall, he did not do anything extraordinary, but stuck to his duties with deligently and performed well.

Pronay Halder - 7.0

The player who dominated midfield for ATK alongside Manuel Lanzarote was Pronay Haldar. He kept Rene Mihelic on his toes with his defensive display. His pressing on Rai and Sarangi was on point and helped his team keep up the tempo.

He had three interceptions and two clearances while shielding the back four of ATK.

Komal Thatal - 6.0

The debut of the former India U-17 player may not have gone as planned, but outrunning Narayan Das and supplying crosses into the box from the right wing was impressive. He was seen to be walking with discomfort going onto half-time yet came back in the second half and played another 25 minutes. He was substituted by Jayesh Rane.

Balwant Singh - 7.5

.@Balwant_Singh17 scored a beautiful goal to give @ATKFC the lead and then worked tirelessly ???? throughout the match! He is the Hero of the Match.#LetsFootball #DELKOL #FanBannaPadega #HeroISL pic.twitter.com/HgJR8xobQw

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 17, 2018

Watch: Balwant received the Hero of the Match award

Balwant Singh had a game to remember. The curling goal from the former Mumbai City player was fantastic and reminded fans of his heroics from the previous season. He kept on troubling Kotal and Sekar with his pace and physical presence.

Substitutes

Jayesh Rane - 7.0

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

The first substitute for ATK was this winger. He came on the pitch and instantly impacted the game. ATK started influencing the play through the right wing, with Jayesh being the pivot.

He took the ball in his own half and went on to assist the game winner for ATK.