Odisha FC 0–3 Punjab FC Player Ratings: Ezequiel Vidal Puts On a Show as the Shers Rout Odisha in the RO16

Punjab FC put on a clinical display to dump the runners-up of the previous edition out of the Super Cup. Ezequiel Vidal was at the heart of a thumping 3-0 win. He assisted Asmir Suljic in grabbing a fantastic opener. He was on target in the second half as Punjab were under pressure from Odisha. Two substitutes combine for the visitors to make it 3-0 as they knock out a toothless Odisha FC out of the Super Cup.

Odisha FC narrowly missed out on the championship play-offs in the Indian Super League. The 2023 Champions of the Super Cup wanted to make a strong start to the tournament. Punjab, on the other hand, finished 10th and failed to consolidate on their better performance from the previous season. However, since this is a knockout only tournament, both teams fancied their chances as a string of four good games could give them the title.

Odisha started the game brightly with the ball, but Punjab showed up with a high pressing pattern. They pressed the opposition in unison and displayed some good patterns on the break. The first chance of the game fell their way as well. Asmir Suljic tested Amrinder Singh from a tight angle. Odisha responded well by seizing possession and finding Dorielton in the box with some crosses.

Punjab opened the scoring in the fourteenth minute through a sumptuous move. Ezequiel Vidal controlled the ball between the lines and released Asmir beautifully with a through pass. The Bosnian winger ran onto it and fired a delicate lob over the onrushing Amrinder. It was the first of Vidal and Asmir’s many meaningful contributions in the game as Punjab ran riot on the break. Muhammad Suhail chipped in with an excellent dribble and shot as well.

Odisha posed a decent threat later on through Dorielton and Hugo Boumous. Doeilton especially ran a good 40 yards with only the keeper to beat. He tried to curl it past him but fired it wide as he missed a gilt-edged chance to equalise the game. Muheet Shabir then denied Boumous from close range to protect their lead.

Towards the end of the half, Punjab fizzled a bit as Odisha nearly grabbed the equaliser. However, through Asmir’s shot, they ended the half on a high. The runner-ups of the previous edition, Odisha, had to do it all in the second half as Punjab were in inspired form, playing some good football.

Odisha brought on Diego Mauricio to change things, and he almost scored an equaliser for them. Odisha put pressure on Punjab in the hunt for an equaliser. But it was Punjab who scored again. The excellent Vidal picked up a pass from the middle and twisted and turned before unleashing an arrowed shot into the bottom right corner with his left foot.

That goal helped Punjab see the game out with confidence. Odisha attacked with purpose, but the visitors held the fort. Late in the game, they went forward through Nihal Sudeesh, who rounded the keeper before slotting it in to make it 3-0. Punjab made sure of its participation in the quarters with that goal.

This comes as a shock loss for Odisha as they end the campaign trophyless. Punjab will meet FC Goa in the last eight of the tournament and will back themselves to go all the way.

Here are the Odisha FC vs Punjab FC player ratings.

Odisha FC Player Ratings

GK- Amrinder Singh- 6/10

Made a fine save from Asmir early on from a tight angle. But he was beaten fairly next time when he lobbed the ball. Completely messed up for the final goal as Punjab had an empty net to fire into.

CB- Saviour Gama- 6/10

Stepped out of defence at the wrong time as Vidal made an excellent pass through him to release Asmir for the opener. He was trying to join the attack as they chased an equaliser.

CB- Mourtada Fall- 6.5/10

Posed a decent threat from set pieces, but he couldn’t hold the defence together as Punjab pressed them well.

CB- Carlos Delgado- 6.5/10

A risky back pass put his keeper under a lot of pressure, but they got away. He was impressive with his long passing yet again, but defensively, they struggled all game long against the fluid front three of Punjab.

RM- Rahim Ali- 6/10

Entered the box and picked up a loose ball, but wasn’t able to find the target. Put in a lot of hard work to complement the defence as well.

CM- Raynier Fernandes- 5.5/10

Held the midfield as Boumous often joined the attack, trying to break the lines. His passing was off colour as Punjab pressed him well.

CM- Hugo Boumos- 7/10

Played a lovely pass to release Dorielton 1v1 against the keeper. He was denied by a very good save from the goalkeeper in the first half.

LM- Rohit Kumar- 6/10

Inverted into midfield at times to add numbers when they attacked centrally. He wasn’t able to make a telling contribution in the game.

RW- Rahul Praveen- 6/10

Was switching positions constantly to disrupt the backline of Punjab, but he was well handled. Replaced at halftime as they sought more dynamism.

ST- Dorielton- 4/10

Missed a glorious chance to equalise the game as he was all alone against the keeper. Rolled it wide under no pressure. Replaced at the break as they needed more link-up.

LW- Isak Vanlalruatfela- 6/10

The winger dropped short and tried to make some good runs in behind, but the pace of Punjab’s defence matched him well.

SUB- Khawlhring Lalthathanga- 6/10

SUB- Diego Mauricio- 6/10

SUB- Jerry Mawihmingthanga- 6/10

SUB- Amey Ranwade- 6/10

SUB- Ashangbam SIngh- N/A

Manager- Sergio Lobera- 5.5/10

His team started the game better, but they couldn’t handle Punjab’s attack despite having numbers at the back. Diego Mauricio’s entry at halftime showed how badly they missed him in the first half. It was frustrating for his side in the attack.

Punjab FC Player Ratings

GK- Muheet Shabir- 7/10

He was relieved when Dorielton missed his attempt against him. Pulled off a fine save against Boumous and made some good claims.

RB- Khaiminthang Lhungdim- 7/10

Showed excellent physicality and pace to defend his wing, especially when Mauricio came on at halftime.

CB- -Suresh Nongmeikapam- 6.5/10

Marshalled the defence excellently alongside Pramveer, but he was being increasingly put under pressure in the second half.

CB- Pramveer- 7/10

Gave a good account of himself with some solid tackles in the first half and was great with the ball at his feet as well.

LB- Tekcham Abhishek Singh- 7/10

Had a fierce battle with Rahim Ali as he tried to ghost into the box behind his back. Came out on top most times. Joined the attack at will in the second half.

CM- Nikhil Prabhu- 7/10

Provided excellent support to the forward line by winning the ball back and maintaining the shape on the pitch.

CM- Ricky Shabong- 7.5/10

A key component of Punjab’s early press as they put Odisha to the sword. He found Vidal for the first goal as a pre-assist and as an assist for the second goal.

RW- Asmir Suljic- 8/10

Magic was flowing every time he touched the ball as he tested the goalkeeper early on. He scored a beautiful goal to open the scoring as well. Combined beautifully with Suhail.

ST- Ezequiel Vidal- 8.5/10

Levels above everyone on the pitch on the night as he created chances for fun. He oozed class and ran rings around the midfield. Created the first goal with an inch-perfect pass and scored the second goal with an excellent effort from outside.

ST- Petros Giakoumakis- 6/10

He was the passenger in the Punjab attack as he allowed all the other forwards around him to thrive. Occupied the centrebacks, allowing the main play to take place in front of them.

LW- Muhammad Suhail- 7/10

Displayed great link-up with his fellow forwards and almost scored a worldie when he drove through the defence and sliced narrowly wide.

SUB- Ashish Pradhan- 6/10

SUB- Melroy Assisi- 6/10

SUB- Nihal Sudeesh- 7/10

Showed great composure to pick up the through pass and round the keeper before firing it into an empty net.

SUB- Leon Augustine- 6/10

SUB- Manglenthang Kipgen- 7/10

Played a lovely through pass for Sudeesh to finish.

Manager- Panagiotis Dilmperis- 8/10

Set his team up excellently to press well and attack when the opportunity opens up. His decision to sit back in the second half was baffling, but his all Indian defence dealt with it extremely well before Vidal got the winner.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to: Ezequiel Vidal