Vasco: Kwesi Appiah scored from the spot as NorthEast United FC started their Indian Tremendous League (ISL) marketing campaign with a 1-0 win over Mumbai Metropolis FC right here on Saturday.
A crimson card and a penalty turned a recreation, that Mumbai have been in any other case dominating, on its head and handed NorthEast United a successful begin on the Tilak Maidan.
Appiah scored the one objective from a penalty within the forty ninth minute after the Islanders have been decreased to 10-men following Ahmed Jahouh’s crimson card simply earlier than the breather.
Within the early levels, it seemed like NorthEast have been aiming for nothing greater than a goalless draw, with excessive warning seen of their recreation plan.
Predictably, it was Mumbai who dominated the primary half. The Islanders have been neat and proactive for lengthy spells, although they have been unable to discover a innovative.
Regardless of having gamers like Jahouh, Hugo Boumous, and Rowllin Borges, all able to creating magic on their day, Sergio Lobera’s aspect didn’t get a single shot on track within the first 45 minutes.
They did maintain the lion’s share of the possession that sometimes resulted in hopeful efforts. Within the twelfth minute, Adam le Fondre’s cross from the correct wing discovered striker Bartholomew Ogbeche. The ensuing effort although was intercepted by NorthEast defender Ashutosh Mehta.
Within the subsequent jiffy, an Ogbeche header went over the bar whereas Jahouh took two makes an attempt from distance. A transparent-cut likelihood although was nonetheless eluding Lobera’s males.
Then, the match took an sudden flip as Jahouh, who was dictating issues from midfield, was despatched off with a straight crimson, a few minutes earlier than half-time. His offence was a studs-up problem on NorthEast’s Khassa Camara.
Gerard Nus’ males capitalised on their numerical benefit quickly after the restart. The Highlanders have been awarded a penalty when the ball struck Borges’ arm after NorthEast’s Dylan Fox had headed in a brief nook. Appiah despatched keeper Amrinder Singh in fallacious path.
With Mumbai now below strain, NorthEast took management over the sport with Khumanthem Meetei and Appiah making common inroads. Lobera made a tactical change changing Ogbeche with Stephen Goddard, giving Le Fondre a central position up entrance.
Mumbai had a uncommon alternative within the sixty fifth minute when Sarthak bought his head to a cross, however his effort sailed inches over the bar. Lobera’s staff saved knocking on the door within the ultimate quarter, however an equaliser eluded them.
