ISL 2017/18, Match 66: NorthEast United FC vs FC Pune City, Player Ratings

Hero Indian Super League continued its midweek action as NorthEast United FC took on FC Pune City at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.

The two sides have had contrasting fortunes in the league as FC Pune City are in the third position on the points table, whereas NorthEast United FC are second from bottom in the ninth spot. FC Pune City have 22 points from their 13 matches whereas NorthEast United FC just has 11 points from 12 games they have played.

Pune City pulled off yet another away win as they moved into the second spot above Chennaiyin FC in the standings. Marcelinho proved to be the matchwinner when he scored in the 85th minute to secure the three points for Pune. NorthEast United played well for the most part of the match but failed to convert their chances.

NorthEast United FC

TP Rehenesh (6.5/10) - The NorthEast United keeper was comfortable between the sticks as Pune did not force him into making many crucial saves. He was confident in dealing with crosses and aerial balls into the box.

Nirmal Chettri (6/10) - The right-back almost led to a goal when his miscalculated backpass was attacked by Emiliano Alfaro, but the striker missed it. He made a lot of runs on the right flank and combined well with Seminlen Doungel.

Sambinha (6/10) - The hulking centre-back was a strong presence in the box as he did not allow Alfaro and Marcelinho space inside the box. He was a threat during setpieces with his physicality.

Jose Goncalves (6/10) - The NorthEast United skipper was a rock in the defence alongside Sambinha as they did well to contain the threat of the Pune attackers.

Reagan Singh (5.5/10) - The former Mumbai FC left-back was busy on both ends of the pitch as he kept making runs in attack and put in crosses for the attackers. He was active in defence as well to deal with Marcelinho on his flank.

Martin Diaz (6/10) - The Urugyuan midfielder played the cover for the NorthEast United defence stationing himself behind Rowlin Borges. He was tough in his tackles and used his physicality well to break up plays.

Rowllin Borges (6/10) - The Indian international was the link between the defence and attack as he played just behind the three midfielders up ahead. He won a lot of balls in the middle of the park and distributed it well.

Seiminlen Doungel (6.5/10) - The winger was a menace for the Pune defence on the left flank as he kept making incisive runs and used his skills well to get past players with ease. He put in a lot of balls for the attackers inside the box.

Marcinho (6.5/10) - The creative centre of the Northeast United side was influential in the midfield with his passes and shots from outside the box. He controlled the attacking tempo for the home side with his ball distribution skills.

Lalrindika Ralte (5.5/10) - The former ATK man came into the lineup in place of Halicharan Narzary on the wings. Ralte played on the left wing and did well in the attack as well as the defence whenever Pune pressed with conviction.

Danilo Lopes (6/10) - The frontman for the home side was heavily involved in the attack in the first half and played a wider role tonight. He gave the Pune defenders a hard time with his runs and had a lot of efforts on the goal.

Substitutes:

John Mosquera (4.5/10) - The goalscorer in the last match for NorthEast United replaced Cezario in the attack as the home side pressed on for the goal.

Maic Sema (4.5/10) - The Swede came on for the final twenty minutes as Avram Grant put in fresh blood in hopes of getting a goal.

Malemnganba Meitei (4/10) - The youngster came on in the final minutes of the match and replaced Lalrindika Ralte in the attack as Northeast pushed for the equalizer.

FC Pune City

Vishal Kaith (6.5/10) - The Pune keeper had a busy night as the NorthEast side created a lot of chances throughout the match. Kaith was brave in the goal and did well to keep out the efforts from the home side with great reflex saves.

Baljit Sahni (5.5/10) - The makeshift right-back for tonight had a busy night as the home side pressed with intention. Sahni resorted majorly to defensive duties and did well to provide a challenge to Ralte and Reagan on his flank.

Gurtej Singh (5/10) - The central defender had a poor night in defence as Cezario got better of him on most occasions in the match. He did well with aerial clearances inside the box from the crosses put in by the NorthEast wingers.

Rafael Lopez (5/10) - The Spaniard defender had a tough time tonight as the NorthEast attackers pressed with intent. He did well to win headers inside the box and was strong in his tackles.

Sahil Panwar (5/10) - The young left-back was kept busy throughout the game by Seminlel Doungel on his flank. He did well against the winger but did not do much in attack.

Adil Khan (7/10) - Adil Khan was superb as the defensive midfielder for the Pune side. He won headers and tackles in the midfield as he proved the first cover for the away defence against a marauding NorthEast attack.

Marcos Tebar (6/10) - The former Real Madrid man played in the midfield and did a great job at controlling the tempo of the game for the Pune side with his ball distribution.

Isaac Vanmalsawma (5/10) - The youngster played just behind the attackers in the Pune midfield and did well to keep the ball moving in the centre of the park.

Marcelo Pereira (7.5/10) - The FC Pune City skipper was the major creative influence in the midfield for the away side. He had a couple of efforts on the goal and was the setpiece taker for Pune. He got the winning goal for the away side when he scored in the 85th minute past Rehenesh with a great run and finish.

Diego Carlos (5/10) - The Brazilian winger had a quiet outing compared to his usual standards as he struggled to get past the Pune defenders. He was substituted in the 62nd minute when Stankovic came on in his place.

Emiliano Alfaro (6/10) - The striker who was playing against his former side had a great chance in the first half to put Pune ahead when he latched onto a loose backpass but failed to hit the target. He kept the NorthEast United defenders busy with his movement and shots but was unable to get his name on the scoresheet.

Substitutes:

Marko Stankovic (5.5/10) - The midfielder came on after the hour mark to replace Diego Carlos as FC Pune City introduced fresh legs in hopes of getting the elusive goal. He proved to be the creator of the goal when a sublime pass into the path of Marcelinho was finished by the Brazilian for the winning goal.

Kean Lewis (4/10) - The former Delhi Dynamos attacker came on as FC Pune City stepped up their attack in hopes of the winning goal.

Jonatan Lucca (4/10) - The Brazilian came on to replace Alfaro for the final ten minutes of the match as Pune introduced more creative presence in the midfield.

Edited by Sagnik Kundu