ISL 2017: Match 38, Kerala Blasters FC vs FC Pune City - Player Ratings

Match number 38 saw Kerala Blasters FC welcome high flying FC Pune City to the Jawahar Lal Nehru stadium in Kochi. The match was a high octane one with an end to end stuff in each half.

The points were shared in the end after Mark Sifneos cancelled Marcelinho's first-half strike.

The game ended in 1-1 draw.

Here are the players' ratings for the match -

Kerala Blasters FC

Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (8.5/10)

The Kerala Blasters goalie had an exceptional day in front of the goal. Chowdhary made crucial saves in both the halves, denying Jonatan Lucca and Marcelinho. Even though Marcelinho broke the deadlock with a solo effort, he made 5 saves throughout the game and had a good game overall

Rino Anto (8/10)

The defender put in another solid shift for KBFC displaying why is he a potential star for the Indian team in the future. The number 8 was not intimidated by the opposition forwards and had 77% passing accuracy in the final third, the second highest amongst all the players involved in the game

Sandesh Jhingan (7.5/10)

S Jhingan had an ordinary game. The defender had nothing to offer offensively and was decent at the back. The number 21 made a crucial block which was his only contribution throughout the game.

Wes Brown (7.5/10)

The former Manchester United player started at centre back alongside Jhigan today. Like Jhigan, Wes Brown too had an ordinary game. Brown failed to prevent Marcelinho from scoring in the first half. Brown attempted 6 aerial duels, none of which were successful, he will be expecting to perform better in the next game.

L Lalruatthara (7/10)

Lalruatthara's presence in today's game was not felt at all. As compared to his fellow wing-back Rino Anto, he was nowhere seen in the final third. He lacked composure on the ball and was often caught off guard by opposition players. A disappointing performance from Lalruatthara today.

Siam Hangal (7.5/10)

The number 19 had a disappointing day in the field today. Hangal was not as influential in midfield as expected. Hangal's major contribution in the game came in terms of tackles, he made 3 successful tackles throughout the game.

Jackichand Singh (8/10)

J Singh had a better game than fellow midfielders Hangal and K Kerizon. the number 20 was often seen penetrating the Pune back line, creating goal scoring opportunities. Singh attempted 6 crosses, 3 of which were successful. He also made 9 recoveries throughout the game.

Dimitar Berbatov (7/10)

The former Manchester United player had perhaps the dullest performance amongst all the KBFC players. He was substituted and replaced by Kizito Kerizon at the halftime after an uninspiring first half. His only contribution was 3 successful takes out of 5 attempted.

Courage Pekuson (8.5/10)

Pekuson had a midfield masterclass today. After consistently threatening the FC Pune City defence for 70 minutes, Pekuson found space and assisted Mark Sifeneos' goal which was the equaliser. Pekuson had 77% passing accuracy in the final third, the second most amongst all players.

Mark Sifneos (9/10)

The number 29 proved yet again why he is a vital cog in the KBFC lineup. Sifneos was constantly attempting shots throughout the game, he had 5 shots with 2 on target. Mark finally broke the deadlock in the 73rd minute after coming agonisingly close earlier in the game.

Iain Hume (8/10)

The number 10 had numerous chances to equalise in the first half but poor finishing cost him, dear. Hume was at the receiving end of some great chances created by Pekuson and Sifneos but just wasn't able to find the back of the net. He, however, kept the pressure up which led to Sifneos' equaliser.

Substitutes

Kizito Kerizon (7.5/10)

The midfielder was brought on for Berbatov after a lacklustre display by the latter. Kerizon was successful in creating a handful of chances but his only contribution to the game was completing 3 successful take-on out of 5.

Samuel Shadap (-)

S Shadap was brought on for Rino Anto in the 84th minute. Shadap was able to prevent conceding a late goal and did the job for which he was brought on.

FC Pune City

Vishal Kaith (8/10)

The Pune goalie had a decent day in front of the goal. Kaith was not troubled in the first half a lot and made only one save. A late surge by Kerala Blasters FC after the equaliser meant that Kaith had to make another two saves to deny the home side the win.

Sarthak Golui (8/10)

The number 16 showed why he is one of India's best future defenders. Golui has been a key player for FC Pune City all throughout the season and did nothing different today. He was rock solid at the back and attempted 2 tackles, both of which were successful. He also made 2 interceptions.

Rafael Lopez (7.5/10)

The centre-back had an average game and could have contributed more offensively at times. Rafa's sole contributions in this game were the aerial duels attempted by him. He attempted 8 aerial duels but did not successfully complete a single.

Gurtej Singh (7/10)

Gurtej Singh, like Rafa, did not have a great game. The second centre-back was not influential at all and was clumsy on the ball at times. Marcelinho and Hume caught Gurtej off guard and fellow defenders had to cover up for Singh's misplays.

L Fanai (7/10)

Like Singh, L Fanai gave an uninspiring performance for FC Pune City today. Unlike Golui on the opposite side, Fanai wasn't a threat to the opposition defence at all. Fanai will be hoping that his offensive contribution can increase in the next game.

Marcos Tebar (8.5/10)

Another classy performance by Marcos Tebar in the Pune shirt. The number 6 was one of the top midfielders in the game today. Tebar had 5 successful out of 7 attempted tackles. He also had 46 successful passes out of 56 attempted, the most by any player in the match.

Adil Khan (8/10)

After a man of the match performance vs FC Goa in the last week of 2017, Adil Khan showed why he will be a regular starter for Pune. Although he wasn't as influential as the game vs FC Goa, he was good today. Khan often wriggled through defences and found long balls to Marcelinho and Alfaro.

Ashique Kuruniyan (8/10)

The number 22 had an above average game. Kuruniyan was there to provide the attacking impetus that is needed from a player playing in this position. However he also missed a golden chance in the 69th, he had the perfect chance to double Pune's lead but could not find the back of the net. He, however, was influential in the opening goal of the game and assisted Marcelinho's goal.

Marcelinho (8.5/10)

Marcelinho had another amazing game for Pune. The lone goalscorer for Pune, he opened the scoring in the 33rd minute after a one-two with Kuruniyan. Marcellinho completed 4 take-on successfully out of 6 attempted and also completed 3 tackles out of 3 attempted. He had 3 shots in the game and found the back of the net for the 6th time this season.

Jonatan Lucca (8/10)

Like Marcelinho, Lucca had an influential presence in the game today. He was all over the KBFC defence at times and kept the pressure up courtesy some exquisite playmaking. Lucca had 34 successful passes out of 39, the third highest amongst all the players in the game.

Emiliano Alfaro (7/10)

It was a game to forget for the number 9. Alfaro missed crucial chances in either half and failed to perform the task which he was supposed to do, finding the back fo the net. Marcelinho and Kuruniyan often found Alfaro in dangerous situations but the strikers were unable to take any advantage.

Substitutions

Diego (-)

Diego was brought on for Jonatan Lucca in the 77th minute. He was at the end of a glorious chance in the second half but was unable to get the goal.

Jewel Raja (-)

J Raja was brought on for Ashique Kuruniyan in the 84th minute, he wasn't able to influence the game much after coming on fairly late.

Rohit Kumar (-)

Rohit Kumar was brought on for number 9 Alfaro in the 90th minute. The substitution was more of a move to see the game out and not prevent a goal. He was not involved in stoppage time.