ISL 2017/18: Match 51, NorthEast United FC vs Chennaiyin FC, Player Ratings

Match 51 of the Indian Super League Season 4 saw NorthEast United FC host Chennaiyin FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.

The match saw teams from two different facets of the table come together as Chennaiyin FC, who are second in the ISL standings took on NorthEast United FC, who are in ninth position. NorthEast United FC lost their last match at home against defending champions ATK with a 1-0 scoreline whereas Chennaiyin FC came into this fixture on the back of a five-game unbeaten run.

NEUFC pulled off an impressive upset on Friday as they banked on a hat-trick by Seminlen Doungel to get much-needed three points for the Highlanders. Chennaiyin FC managed to pull one back with Anirudh Thapa's strike but it proved too little in the end as the home side prevailed.

NorthEast United FC

TP Rehenesh (7/10) - The man between the sticks had a fairly decent night as his defence was stable ahead of him and had a few chances to deal with. He was beaten late in the second half with a great volleyed effort by Anirudh Thapa.

Nirmal Chhetri (7/10) - The right-back Nirmal Chhetri had a good game as he kept the threat of Jerry Lalrinzuala and Gregory Nelson on the right flank. He did not go ahead in attack as much as he normally does but was solid in defence.

Sambinha (7.5/10) - The no-nonsense man for the Highlanders had a good match as he partnered well alongside Goncalves to keep out the Chennaiyin FC attack. The burly centre-back was good in the air and made a lot of clearances for the home side.

Jose Goncalves (7.5/10) - The skipper of NorthEast United was a rock in the defence as he kept the threat of Jeje Lalpekhlua in check for the entire match. He won almost every aerial duel and made many interceptions to ward off the away side.

Reagan Singh (7/10) - The left-back for NorthEast United was kept busy on both ends as Chennaiyin attacked with their wingers on his flank. He combined well with Marcinho and Narzary and made a couple of overlapping runs, and managed to put some crosses into the box as well.

Rowlin Borges (7.5/10) - The Indian defensive midfielder played the first line of defence for the home side as he led the charge from the centre of the park. He made a lot of tackles as well as interceptions to keep the Chennayin FC attacks from developing.

Martin Diaz (7/10) - The Uruguayan was a strong presence in the Highlanders' midfield as he alongside Rowlin Borges kept the away side in check. He broke up the play many times and stemmed the flow of Chennaiyin attacks as they stepped up the pressure after going down two goals in the match.

Seminlen Doungel (9.5/10) - The returning man who tied the knot recently made a superb scoring return as he capitalized on a fumble from Karanjit Singh to slot his shot into the empty net. He got his second of the night when he ran through the Chennaiyin defence and scored to put his side two goals ahead. He further extended his tally to three as he got on the end of a cross from Narzary to score his third on the night.

Marcinho (7/10) - The midfield general for the home side was a lively presence in the midfield as he kept searching for the runs through the middle and wings. He controlled the tempo of the game for the Highlanders.

Halicharan Narzary (7.5/10) - The India international and local crowd favourite had a poor first half on the left wing and did not look in good touch. The second half was much better as he grabbed an assist when his cross was put in by Doungel for the third goal.

Danilo Cezario (8.5/10) - The Brazilian striker was a menace for the Chennaiyin FC defence as he played a great point man in the attack. He made good runs whenever NorthEast United countered and was responsible for the goal as his shot's rebound was scored in by Doungel. He was again instrumental as his pass put Doungel through for his second goal.

Substitutes:

Robert Lalthlamuana (4.5/10) - The midfielder came on for Cezario in the 88th minute as the manager ran down the clock at the end of the match.

Helio Pinto (4/10) - The new signing came on in injury time and had his first taste of the Hero Indian Super League action.

Chennaiyin FC

Karanjit Singh (5/10) - The Chennaiyin FC keeper had a busy night as the NorthEast side attacked his goal on multiple occasions. He was beaten by Seminlen Doungel, although the first goal was an unfortunate one with the rebound being scored. He was poor in the second half and was beaten again by Doungel, who grabbed his hat-trick.

Inigo Calderon (7/10) - The Spaniard right-back had a busy night on the pitch as he was kept on his toes by the NorthEast attackers. Despite this, he made a lot of runs going forward and tried to put in good crosses into the box.

Henrique Sereno (5/10) - The centre-back for the Chennaiyin FC side had a game to forget as they conceded two goals when he was on the pitch. He was substituted by the manager in the 52nd minute as Raphael Augusto came on to replace him.

Mailson Alves (5/10) - The usually stable in defence Brazilian was poor tonight as he could not contain the counter-attacks from the home side. He was beaten on many occasions by the Highlanders and the lacklustre defence led to the three goals being conceded.

Jerry Lalrinzuala (5.5/10) - The young Chennaiyin and India left-back was ineffective today in attack as the NorthEast United attackers kept the pressure high on the away side. Jerry put in a couple of crosses into the box but the NorthEast United defence was up to the task tonight.

Dhanapal Ganesh (5/10) - The defensive midfielder for the Chennaiyin FC side was kept on his toes throughout the match as the NorthEast side kept attacking on the counter. Ganesh was unable to contain them as the pressure proved too much for the away side to handle.

Anirudh Thapa (6.5/10) - The last-minute replacement for Bikramjit Singh in the lineup had a fairly poor night on the pitch though he tried his best to keep the ball moving for Chennaiyin. He managed to get his name on the scoresheet when he scored a volleyed effort past TP Rehenesh.

Thoi Singh (5/10) - The pacy Thoi Singh was active on the flanks but could not make any inroads into the NorthEast United FC box. He was replaced at the hour mark when Mohd. Rafi came on as Chennaiyin FC went in search of goal with an extra man in attack.

Rene Mihelic (5.5/10) - The Slovenian was the prime source for the Chennaiyin side with his movement and passing in the midfield in the first half. He did well to find some runs by the attackers but was kept in check by Diaz and Borges in the midfield.

Gregory Nelson (5/10) - The winger had a quiet night by his usual standards as he was unsuccessful in most of his attempts to attack the NorthEast United goal.

Jeje Lalpekhlua (5/10) - The Indian striker was totally ineffective tonight as the centre-back duo of Sambinha and Goncalves kept him under control for the entire duration of the match. He managed just two shots on target but did not trouble TP Rehenesh in the Highlanders' goal.

Substitutes:

Raphael Augusto (6/10) - The Brazilian came on in the second half as John Gregory pressed on in search of goals after going two down in the match. He managed to trigger a couple of attacks for the away side but could not deliver what was expected of him.

Mohd. Rafi (5.5/10) - The striker was put in as an extra central man to support Jeje Lalpekhlua in the attack but the stubborn NorthEast United defence kept him in check.

Jaime Gavilan (4.5/10) - The Spaniard came on for the final twenty minutes as he replaced Slovenian Mihelic in the midfield. He tried to find good passes to combine with Augusto in the midfield.

Edited by Shraishth Jain