Mumbai, Maharashtra: NorthEast United FC took a big step towards clinching a play-off spot after a crucial 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC in a Hero Indian Super League clash at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Wednesday.

Two first-half goals from Rowllin Borges (4′) and star striker Bartholomew Ogbeche (33′) were enough for the visitors as Mumbai were consigned to their third defeat in a row.

Both teams, with 27 points from 16 matches, are still very much in the play-off race. However, the result invites pressure on Mumbai as NorthEast climbed above them to the second spot and FC Goa can potentially leapfrog them too if they win against ATK on Thursday.

Mumbai got off to a nightmarish start when NorthEast roared into the lead in the fourth minute. The goal stemmed from a brilliant run from Keegan Pereira down the left wing. His pinpoint low cross into the box was met by Borges who placed it into the top corner to stun the hosts.

The Islanders did respond to that setback through Arnold Issoko who picked out Rafael Bastos on the edge of the box after ghosting past Mato Grgic to the byline. However, Bastos’ curled effort clipped the crossbar and went out.

The visitors troubled Mumbai from the left wing again. Borges forced a save from Mumbai goalkeeper Amrinder Singh with a header from Panagiotis Triadis’ cross from the left.

The home team lacked a bit of flair in the attacking third and NorthEast pressed home their advantage just past the half an hour mark. Federico Gallego did well to release Reagan Singh down the right wing. His cross was bundled in at the far post by Ogbeche to notch his 12th goal of the season and pull clear of Ferran Corominas in the race for the Golden Boot.

Mumbai defence looked all at sea as NorthEast threatened again through Triadis and almost made it 3-0 before half-time.

The home team, however, started the second-half aggressively in search of a goal that could bring them back into the contest. But the NorthEast defence was not troubled much. Paulo Machado did almost release Marko Klisura in behind the defence but his touch let him down.

Eelco Schattorie’s side slowed down the game as the half wore on and started to frustrate the home team. The Islanders’ forays forward were limited to half-chances and on occasions when they got a sight on goal, their finishing let them down.

NorthEast could have added a third late on when Redeem Tlang dragged a shot wide after being sent through on goal from a counter-attack. However, it would not matter as NorthEast gained a massive three points while Mumbai ponder their attacking woes, having drawn blanks in three successive games.

(ISL Media)

Pune, Maharashtra: An engaging Hero Indian Super League tie between FC Pune City and ATK ended 2-2 and provided plenty of entertainment but play-off hopes for either side took a beating at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune, on Sunday.

Pune took the lead in a see-saw tussle through Marko Stankovic’s deflected strike (17′). A superb goal from Jayesh Rane (23′) and a penalty by Edu Garcia (61′) looked to have turned the tables in ATK’s favour. But Robin Singh scored a header (73′) to help Pune clinch a point.

ATK have lost the chance to move within a point of fourth-placed NorthEast United and stay sixth with 21 points from 15 matches while Pune City’s slim hopes of reaching the top-four have ended.

With a victory the need of the hour for both sides, an end-to-end game of football unfolded and ATK came out all guns blazing.

Marko Stankovic had an effort in the very second minute but his shot went inches over the bar. Edu Garcia too came close when his shot from the edge of the box struck the crossbar on its way out.

However, it were Pune who took the lead thanks to a Stankovic shot from range which took a wicked deflection off John Johnson’s trailing leg and nestled in the back of the net. This was after Robin Singh laid the ball on a platter for the onrushing Stankovic.

However, the lead didn’t last long as Jayesh broke down the left wing, only to cut in and curl an exquisite shot into the far top corner. With confidence flowing through them, ATK took control of the match with Manuel Lanzarote looking in the mood.

In the 25th minute, ATK could have surged ahead when Lanzarote’s volleyed effort was headed clear by Sahil Panwar which almost sneaked into the net.

At the half an hour mark, Everton Santos attempted an overhead kick which went inches over the bar from a Lanzarote free-kick. The Kolkata side upped the ante as they committed more men forward while Pune preferred to sit back and hit on the counter.

Four minutes after the break, Pune had the first chance of the second half when Iain Hume found Robin whose first time shot produced a diving save from Arindam Bhattacharya in the ATK goal.

Just at the hour mark, Diego Carlos was adjudged to have handled the ball when going for a 50-50 ball with Everton. The resulting spot-kick was buried into the net by Garcia, who scored his second in three games to put his team 2-1 ahead.

ATK were handed a setback soon after when Pronay Halder suffered an injury and had to be taken off for Eugeneson Lyngdoh. Steve Coppell’s side were dealt another body blow in the 76th minute when Robin Singh headed in a corner from Marcelinho to pull Pune level.

That goal sparked an onslaught from the Stallions as Marcelinho forced two good saves from Bhattacharya from free-kicks.

ATK threw on Kalu Uche as they sought a winner badly but it was just not to be for them.

(ISL Media)

Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Chennaiyin FC claimed a much-needed victory after downing table-toppers Bengaluru FC 2-1 in a closely-contested Hero Indian Super League clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Saturday.

After withstanding some early pressure from Bengaluru, Chennaiyin roared into a two-goal lead after fine strikes from Jeje Lalpekhlua (32′) and Gregory Nelson (43′). Sunil Chhetri pulled one back for Bengaluru FC in the second half (57′) but the home team held on valiantly for all three points and inflicted only the second loss of the season on the visitors.

The result does not alter the teams’ position in the ISL table with Chennaiyin still rooted to the bottom while Bengaluru remain four points clear of second-placed Mumbai City FC.

As expected, it were Bengaluru FC who saw most of the ball in the initial exchanges. The Blues forced Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper Karanjit Singh into a save as early as the third minute when Xisco Hernandez saw a dipping shot parried away.

The home team looked a bit short of ideas in possession and were dealt a blow in the 15th minute when centre-back Zohmingiliana Ralte suffered an injury after a tackle by Miku. John Gregory was forced to bring in Anirudh Thapa and Christopher Herd dropped back into defence.

The substitute almost had an instant impact when he stung Bengaluru custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s palms with a long-range effort.

The home team continued to build on that and took the lead just past the half an hour mark. Raphael Augusto dispossessed Harmanjot Khabra before feeding CK Vineeth who broke forward. However, Nishu Kumar failed to deal with Vineeth’s attempted pass and the ball broke to Jeje who slammed the ball in to break his ISL duck for the season.

Spurred by that goal, Chennaiyin started to show more confidence on the ball, with Augusto pulling the strings. The Bengaluru defence had a tough time dealing with the increased impetus from the home team and ended up conceding another goal just before half-time.

Laldinliana sent in a dangerous cross from the right wing after some good work from Vineeth. Nelson, who had ghosted in behind a static Bengaluru defence, sent a good header past Gurpreet into the far corner.

Just like they did in their previous game against Kerala Blasters FC, Bengaluru produced a response after going two goals behind in the second half. After a spell of incessant pressure, the Blues pulled a goal back three minutes before the hour mark.

Xisco picked the ball up on the right wing and teased a left-footed cross in behind the defence for Chhetri. None of the Chennaiyin defenders picked up Chhetri’s run and he gleefully sent a diving header past Karanjit Singh from close range.

Bengaluru tried to keep the pressure up in search of an equaliser but frequent stoppages in play meant they lost some rhythm and Chennaiyin found some respite.

The match turned sloppy as the half wore on with frequent interceptions and turnovers. With eight minutes left, Xisco had the best chance of equalising when second-half substitute Edmund Lalrindika teed off the Spaniard. But his shot was straight at Karanjit.

In the end, it was three points and a much-needed win to savour for Chennaiyin FC in a season that has brought very little joy.

(ISL Media)

Jamshedpur, Jharkhand: Jamshedpur FC claimed a vital win in their quest to reach the Hero Indian Super League play-offs after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mumbai City FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Friday.

After a goalless first half, Jamshedpur stepped up the pressure on Mumbai and found the match-winner through Memo in the 80th minute.

The result sees Jamshedpur inch to within a point of fourth-placed NorthEast United, while Mumbai remain in second position, four points ahead of Cesar Ferrando’s team.

The game got off to a scruffy start with several niggly fouls despite Jamshedpur enjoying most of the early possession. The first bit of attacking action came in the 15th minute when Mumbai’s Paulo Machado curled a free-kick from range inches over the crossbar.

Jamshedpur were not to be left behind as Farukh Choudhary stung the palms of Mumbai custodian Amrinder Singh from about 25 yards.

The visitors then had a great chance to take the lead when Rafael Bastos sent an angling cross into the box but Machado could not keep his effort on target at the far post.

The patchy nature of the match continued and Jamshedpur were fortunate to stay level before half-time when Moudou Sougou almost capitalised on a terrible back pass from Pratik Chowdhury. However, Jamshedpur goalkeeper Subrata Paul was alert and averted danger.

The second half started with some end-to-end action on display before Jamshedpur took control. Ferrando’s men looked to force the issue and had the visitors on the ropes for much of the half.

With some exquisite passing in midfield led by Mario Arques and Pablo Morgado, Jamshedpur created several chances but just could not finish them.

A cross from Arques in the 65th minute was almost turned in by Lucian Goian whose attempted clearance saw the ball bounce just wide of the post. Jamshedpur kept asking the Mumbai defence questions but to no avail.

Jamshedpur were finally rewarded in the 80th minute for their perseverance after a set-piece was awarded for a foul on Morgado.

Sergio Cidoncha swung a free-kick into the Mumbai box and Amrinder could only present a weak punch to the effort. The ball fell for Memo who sent a looping header over Amrinder into the far corner to spark delirious scenes at the stadium.

The Men of Steel saw the game out without much hassle to spice up the race for the play-off spots.

(ISL Media)

Guwahati, Assam: NorthEast United FC were left to rue missed chances, particularly at the end, as they settled for a 1-1 draw against Delhi Dynamos FC in a Hero Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium here on Thursday.

NorthEast United have won only one of their last seven matches but continue to be in contention for a semi-final spot. The point sees them move four points clear of fifth-placed Jamshedpur FC but have played a game more, while Delhi Dynamos remain eighth.

After an even first-half, Marcos Tebar put the visitors in the lead in the 67th minute. Star striker Bartholomew Ogbeche equalled Ferran Corominas in the race for the Golden Boot race by scoring his 11th goal from the spot in the 71st minute.

The Highlanders went for the kill towards the end but saw chance after chance go amiss including a shot from Rowllin Borges which was clawed on to the crossbar by an alert Delhi goalkeeper Francisco Dorronsoro and had to settle for a point.

NorthEast looked to get Ogbeche involved in the game right from the start with several long balls. However, the offside flag and timely interceptions by the Delhi backline prevented the Nigerian from getting a free sight on goal.

NorthEast custodian TP Rehenesh almost gifted a goal to the opposition when he misplaced a pass straight to Lallianzuala Chhangte in the 24th minute. The winger took the ball into the box and tried to side-foot it into the net but the goalkeeper made up for his error by parrying the shot away.

The game opened up as the first half wore on and the hosts went close three times at the stroke of half-time. Delhi goalkeeper Dorronsoro kept out Borges’ attempts on goal twice before a curled effort by Triadis ricocheted off the post.

After the break, NorthEast kept probing and Ogbeche missed a glorious chance in the 49th minute. With the Delhi backline looking to push up, Robert Lalthlamuana released the Nigerian behind the defence but the striker was unable to hit the target from a one-on-one with Dorronsoro.

After holding firm at the back post the break, Delhi took the lead in the 67th minute against the run of play. Marcos Tebar started a flowing move, spread the ball wide to Nandhakumar Sekar on the right flank. The winger crossed into the box and Rehenesh could only parry it towards an onrushing Tebar who tapped it home.

The goal triggered an immediate response from the hosts. Borges fed Ogbeche into the box and he was brought down by Narayan Das and the referee awarded a penalty for the home side. Ogbeche stepped up and scored his 11th goal of the season from 12 yards, sending Dorronsoro the wrong way.

(ISL Media)

Kolkata, West Bengal: East Bengal kept their maiden Hero I-League title hopes well and truly alive with a comeback victory against Neroca FC, thanks to an Enrique Esqueda double in the second half, which helped overcome comeback man Chencho Gyeltshen’s strike as early as the third minute of the game.

In front of their home crowd at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), QEB looked out of sorts in the first half, but in the second, inspired by Spanish coach Alejandro Garcia’s substitutions, totally turned the tide on Neroca.

The win now solidifies QEB’s fourth position on the table and their 28 points from 14 games, means that they are just two behind second-placed Chennai City FC, who have also played the same number of games.

Debutants Real Kashmir top the table with 32 points, but they have played two more than QEB and Chennai. So have third-placed Churchill Brothers who have 29 points. Neroca remain fifth with 25 points from 16 games.

Garcia, in fact, had fielded an unchanged XI at the start of the big game, whereas his Neroca counterpart and countryman Manuel Fraile had made as many as six changes. One of the most significant changes made by him was to bring Lalit Thapa in goal in place of Italian Maouro Borcheiro and playing ‘Bhutanese Ronaldo’ Chencho in place of Nigerian frontman Felix Chidi.

Chencho had a chance to score off his first touch in the game after Subhash Singh played him on inside the box from the left, but his effort took a defender’s touch and went out.

The QEB defence and keeper Rakshit Dagar made a hash of Katsumi Yusa corner and the ball fell for a lurking Chencho, who stabbed it home.

It was not as if QEB did not have chances to get the equaliser in the first half itself.

First, Laldanmawia Ralte found the net with a neat trap and booming volley, but was narrowly called for off-side. Tony Dovale’s effort off a well-worked out corner in the 43rd minute brought off a good collection from the veteran Thapa.

Jobby Justin rounded off QEB’s efforts in the first half with a stunning volley on the turn but again, Thapa was up to the task.

QEB looked more determined in the second half and centre-back Borja’s headed goal off a corner in the 55th minute was again disallowed and ironically Danmawia was again called out for interfering with play from an offside position.

Alejandro Garcia had already started making his moves and one of those, bringing in Mexican striker Enrique Esqueda in place of Toni Dovale, eventually got QEB the equaliser.

Borja, who was coming up regularly to help in attack, found Colado outside Neroca’s box on the left. The Spaniard looked up and saw his strikers Esqueda and Justin make their moves inside the box and floated in a delectable ball.

Esqueda met it first and placed a header past a diving Thapa, who had no answer this time.

The winning goal, in fact, involved all three of Garcia’s substitutes. Brandon received a long ball on the right channel and played on Samad Ali Mallick, who had made a fine run. Samad’s cross found Esqueda in perfect position and his composed header across Thapa, beat the Neroca keeper comprehensively again.

The Mexican, who had scored twice for the Red & Golds in the first leg encounter between the two, seemed to have had a deja vu moment tonight.

(I-League Media)

Bengaluru, Karnataka: A brilliant second-half performance helped Bengaluru FC salvage a draw against Kerala Blasters FC in an action-packed Hero Indian Super League clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Wednesday.

Slavisa Stojanovic scored a 16th-minute penalty before a fabulous strike from Courage Pekuson handed the visitors a two-goal lead at the break. But just as it seemed that Kerala Blasters may win their first match against Bengaluru FC, a header from Udanta Singh (69′) and another from Sunil Chhetri (85′) helped the Blues grab a point.

The result sees Bengaluru extend their lead atop the ISL table to four points, while Kerala Blasters remain winless in 14 matches and are rooted to the ninth spot.

Kerala threatened from the start and a rampaging run by Mohammad Rakip down the right flank in the 14th minute provided the breakthrough. The young full-back’s cross from the right hit Kean Lewis’ hand and Stojanovic stepped up to convert the resultant penalty-kick to put his team in the lead.

Chances were few and far between for Bengaluru. In the 35th minute, Dimas Delgado released Edmund Lalrindika into the box with a perfectly-weighted through-ball but Sandesh Jhingan quickly came across to sweep the ball off the striker’s feet.

Kerala’s persistence in attack was rewarded in the 40th minute as Sahal Abdul Samad split the Bengaluru backline with an excellent pass for Seiminlen Doungel. The forward was denied space to shoot but he laid the ball off for an onrushing Courage Pekuson who belted an outstanding strike from outside the box into the top corner of the net.

In response to going behind, the hosts upped the ante by playing more balls into the box. Rahul Bheke and Udanta Singh played excellent crosses from the right, both aimed at Chhetri, but the skipper sent his header off target on both instances.

Chhetri went close again a few minutes later when he met Dimas Delgado’s cross from the right with a powerful first-time effort. Kerala goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh made a good save to deny the India international and keep Kerala’s two-goal lead intact.

Bengaluru finally managed to carve the Kerala defence open in the 69th minute. Chhetri headed Erik Paartalu’s lofted ball back across the box into the path of Udanta Singh who headed home, leaving the defenders rooted to the spot.

The hosts equalised with five minutes left on the clock. Udanta received Harmanjot Khabra’s backheel and crossed into the box from the right flank. Sunil Chhetri got to the end of it, beating Mohammad Rakip in the air to a powerful header into the net.

Bengaluru will take heart from a superb second-half comeback, while Kerala Blasters were left to ponder what could have been.

(ISL Media)