On the last Match day of I-League 2017/18 season, both Gokulam Kerala FC and Mohun Bagan had to fight for their pride. Gokulam Kerala FC needed a win to confirm their position in the Super Cup while Mohun Bagan needed a win to finish above East Bengal, their rivals.
Mohun Bagan started the game on a high note, creating a lot of chances at the start of the game and opened the scoresheet in the game as Dipanda Dicka scored his 13th goal of the season. As the game went on, Gokulam Kerala FC became stronger and equalized just before the half-time. Gokulam FC dominated most of the game but failed to find the winner.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw with Gokulam Kerala FC missing out on the Super Cup spot.
Here's a look at how the players fared in this game:
Gokulam Kerala FC
Nikhil C Barnard (6.5/10): Man of the match for the game, Barnard kept Gokulam FC in the game with fantastic saves. Barnard was confident inside the box in one-on-one situations and made some last-minute work to deny Bagan the win.
Ugochukwu Chigozie (7/10): Chigozie was a strong presence in the defense throughout the game. He did fantastic work in the defense, denying Bagan the second goal. He kept Dicka on the mark with some good tackles.
Provat Lakra (7/10): A constant threat for Bagan on the left side, Lakra showed his work rate in the game by equally contributing in attack and defense. Lakra stopped the Bagan attack on the left side and had good coordination with Salman to create some good chances.
Daniel Addo (6/10): It was a decent game for Addo at the center of the defense. Addo pushed away some big threats and was also good in clearing the aerial threats.
Mohamed Irshad (5.5/10): Irshad was struggling to keep away the Bagan attack as Nikhil Kadam and Dicka constantly targeted Gokulam's right side.
Mudde Musa (6/10): The Gokulam midfield found it difficult to keep the ball in the middle for most of the game but Musa helped the team with his movements and by supporting the attack. With some tidy work at the back, Musa also contributed in defense.
Mahmood Alajmi (6/10): Alajmi was mostly silent in the game. Alajmi helped Gokulam to take the ball forward whenever he got it and also delivered some good through ball in the first half.
Mohammad Rashid (6.5/10): Rashid was always an attacking threat to Bagan from the center with good runs into the box. Rashid was efficient in positioning and was always available when the ball was played into the box. Rashid also assisted Kisekka for the equalizer.
Arjun Jayaraj (5.5/10): Playing on the right, Arjun did not create much impact on the game. With poor crosses, he failed to connect Kisekka in the box most of the time.
Salman K (6/10): Salman had good coordination with Lakra in creating chances from the left side. He delivered some good crosses into the box, creating some chances for Kisekka. His run into the box was also a threat to the Bagan defense.
Henry Kisekka (7/10): Kisekka was a constant threat to the Bagan defense. Kisekka was present in the right place at the right time for most of the game. If Kisekka had improved his finishing, Gokulam would have surely found a winner.
Mohun Bagan
Shilton Paul (6/10): Shilton was not challenged for most of the first half. Shilton showed his quality in the second half in which he was dominated in the Mohun Bagan box. He was also confident about coming front in one-on-one situation to clear the ball.
Kingsley Eze (6/10): Eze was a solid presence in the defense for Bagan. Eze kept Arjun quiet for most of the game and neutralized the aerial threats created by Gokulam crosses.
Dipanda Dicka (7.5/10): With 13 goals in the season, Dicka was one of the most prolific strikers in the league. He lived up to his reputation as he opened the scoring for Bagan. Dicka was a constant threat to Gokulam, although he could have improved the finishing as he got some good chances late in the game.
Yuta Kinowaki (6/10): Kinowaki was a strong presence in the midfield. Dominating the midfield with good control over the ball and accurate passing, he was a strong contributor for Bagan in midfield.
Akram Moghrabi (5.5/10): Failed to become a threat in the attack and was silent for most of the game. His good passing and ball control helped Bagan to control the midfield.
Arijit Bagui (6/10): Struggled to keep up with Gokulam attack for most of the game but came back with some strong defensive contributions late in the game to deny Gokulam a win.
Rana Gharami (5.5/10): A mistake from Rana helped Gokulam equalize the game. With mistimed tackles and failure to clear aerial threats, he had a poor game.
Cameron Watson (6.5/10): Watson's long ranger outside the box was only denied by the woodwork. The chance he created was the reason for Bagan's goal. With good control of the ball as well as good passing, he was a strong presence in the Bagan midfield.
Nikhil Kadam (6.5/10): Kadam was always an attacking threat to Gokulam on their right side. With good crosses and a couple of good shots, Kadam kept the Gokulam defense always on alert.
Gurjinder Kumar (6/10): Defensively Gurjinder was effective today. His goal-line clearance in the dying minutes of the game to deny Kisekka a goal was what kept Bagan alive in the game. He was rough on tackles as he conceded some freekicks.
Azharuddin Mallick (5/10): Mallick failed to make an impact in the game with some poor crosses and bad ball control. Mallick was pulled back in the 32nd minute.