FC Goa became the first side to be eliminated from contention for a spot in the playoff after the Gaurs succumbed to yet another loss on their home turf, this time losing 1-2 to Atletico de Kolkata. The result also sees Kolkata take another step closer to securing a place in the playoff for the third year running.
The visitors took the lead in the 28th minute via a Juan Belencoso header after threatening to do so since the beginning of the game. However, after a first half that saw Atletico run riots all across the pitch, Goa came back in style and Mandar Rao Dessai’s ripper of a shot from a few yards outside the box helped Goa back into the contest. However, as Goa went for the glory, they were caught out as Steven Pearson secured all three points for Jose Molina's men.
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Here is how each player fared on the ground today.
FC Goa
Laxmikanth Kattimani (9/10)
Star of the game today for Goa. The custodian pulled off one stop after the other to keep the hosts in the game. Whether it be Javi Lara with his rasping efforts in the opening minutes of the game or Steven Pearson with his low effort around the hour mark, Kattimani was brilliant in getting his hands to the ball. Was left high and dry when it came to the goals.
Keenan Almeida (6/10)
Tormented on the right side as Robert and Abhinash Ruidas combined brilliantly to give the Atletico a real edge down that flank. Provided little going forward.
Raphael Dumas (5.5/10)
At fault for losing Belencoso for the first goal. Could have been punished further when he lost out to Postiga from a set-piece only to see the ball ricochet off the cross bar. Much better in the second half.
Gregory Arnolin (6.5/10)
The bedrock of the Goa defence looked shaky in the opening minutes, committing a number of errors including wayward headers that led to conceding of possession. However, he got back to his best in the second half the highlight of which was an acrobatic clearance to keep Belencoso from getting his second via a tap in.
Debabrata Roy (6.5/10)
Gave his all down the left and even took on the task of marking Pearson from set pieces. Roy might lack pace and guile. But none can question his heart.
Richarlyson (6/10)
Was largely anonymous in the first half with the Brazilian neither adding anything going forward nor shielding the backline. Came alive in the second half but gave away a bad free kick which led to Kolkata's second.
Trindade Goncalves (5/10)
Another Brazilian in centre midfield and yet another man who disappointed. Good with the ball at his feet, but failed to make any mark on the field.
Romeo Fernandes (6/10)
A tireless shift put in by Indian winger which included tracking back time and again to thwart the Robert-Ruidas combo for Atletico. Raided down the right time and again but nothing worth notice in the final third.
Joffre Gonzales (3/10)
Probably the most uninspired performance we have seen from the Brazilian in his whole career in the ISL. Couldn’t put a foot right for love or money.
Mandar Rao Dessai (7.5/10)
Came alive in the second half like his whole team. Delivered some really quality ball one of which caused Robert hit his own upright before providing the icing on the cake with his well-taken goal.
Rafael Coelho
Nothing to write home about the forward except for a deft touch in the opening minutes that led to Joffre getting in behind the Kolkata defence. The “false nine” looked more false than a nine.
Substitutes
Julio Caesar (5/10)
Hardly had any impact in the game.
Robin Singh (5/10)
Had a golden chance to win it for the Gaurs but his header was a weak one and straight at Debjit.
Raju Gaekwad (NA)
Atletico de Kolkata
Debjit Majumder (7/10)
Looked comfortable for most of the game and showed once again, he has been said to be one of the best in the country at the moment. Except for a not-so-confident punch, looked confident with his glovework.
Pritam Kotal (6.5/10)
Not as effective as he was last game. But his overlapping runs diminished mostly due to Javi Lara wandering inside time and again, leaving the right side exposed. Could be held responsible for letting Dessai’s shot to go between his legs which ended up in the net.
Arnab Mondal (7.5/10)
Did really well to squeeze the space in tight areas, especially in the opening minutes as Goa looked dangerous. Had one of his best games this season.
Tiri (6.5/10)
Hasn’t had the best of seasons and that continued. A rash challenge in the middle of field led to a dangerous counter from Goa late in the game. However, came through unscathed. Molina would look for better composure from his experienced foreigner in the middle.
Robert Lalthlamuana (8/10)
The Indian international suddenly woke up and showed once again why he was considered as one of biggest up and coming talent in the country about a decade back. Combined extremely well with Rui Das down the left to give Goa fits down that flank.
Abinash Ruidas (8.5/10)
The best outfield player on the pitch over the whole of the game. The East Bengal-man had his first assist in the ISL as his delightful cross into the box resulted in the opener. He tormented the Gaur’s right flank putting in crosses at will combining brilliantly with Robert. Could and should have had another assist to his but for Belencoso’s poor finishing.
Stephen Pearson (7.5/10)
Scorer of the eventual winner, the Scotsman looked sturdy on the tackle and spry with his movement as he got in dangerous positions. After a blunder in the last game, many questioned Molina’s selection, but he came through with a star-studded performance.
Borja Fernandez (8/10)
One of the best games the Kolkata skipper has played this season. The Spaniard seemed to dance through the midfield at will. Thankfully for Molina, whilst Pearson went barging ahead time and again in search for a goal, Borja stayed back the most time to give his backline some much-needed cover.
Javi Lara (6/10)
While his shots did produce a couple of brilliant saves out of Kattimani, Lara was guilty of coming inside time and again and thus failing to stretch the vulnerable Goa defence. Needs to do better with his set his piece delivery as well.
Helder Postiga (5/10)
Except for a header that crashed against the crossbar and a shot that test Kattimani again in the second half, Kolkata’s marquee player had a frustrating game. His touch betrayed him time and again and the Portuguese could count himself lucky for getting a yellow for a rash tackle in the first half.
Juan Belencoso (6.5/10)
Not much except for the goal. The Kolkata fans don’t have much confidence in him whenever he is on the ball and in front of goal. Could and should have had a second.
Substitutes
Sameehg Doutie (7.5/10)
The South African’s pace down the right was the difference maker in the closing minutes. The winger first created a chance in the 87th minute which saw Pearson shoot only for Kattimani to deny the Scot. Five minutes, later he broke again on 3 on 1 counter which eventually fizzled out when his shot hit both the crossbar and the upright before bouncing out. However, Doutie redeemed himself when a minute later, he led another break and eventually squared it off to Pearson for the winner.
Iain Hume (7/10)
The Canadian had the presence of mind to set off Doutie on the counter to help him create what would eventually be the winner.
Jewel Raja (N/A)
