Kolkata-giants Mohunbagan Supergiants sealed three points against Northeast United FC in a five-goal thriller yesterday in ISL 2024-25.
Before coming to the match, Mohunbagan Supergiants were frustrated by a goalless encounter against Tajik club Ravshan Kulob in the ACL 2. Mariners’ head coach José Francisco Molina made three changes to the starting lineup with Apuia, Liston Colaco, and Greg Stewart making their way in, replacing Deepak Tangri, Sahal Abdul Samad, and Jason Cummings.
On the other hand, the Highlanders defeated another Kolkata side, Mohammedan SC in ISL 2024-25, courtesy of a last-minute goal by Morrocan striker Alaeddine Ajaraie. Northeast United FC also made 3 changes before coming on to the match, with Alaeddine Ajaraie, Tondonba Singh, and Macarton Louis Nickson featured in the starting XI, replacing Néstor Albiach, Buanthanglun Samte, and Parthib Gogoi.
Table of Content
First Half
The traveling side did not waste any time putting pressure on the hosts as Alaeddine Ajaraie hit the crossbar after a wonderful pass by Jithin MS. But the Highlanders were able to hit back on Mohunbagan Supergiants as Alaeddine Ajaraie found Mohammed Ali Bemammer outside the penalty box, whose sublime strike was enough to defeat Mohunbagan’s goalkeeper Vishal Kaith.
The Mariners came up with an immediate response to Northeast United’s early goal in 6 minutes with their homegrown defender Dippendu Biswas heading the ball in from a beautiful corner by Australian international Dimitrios Petratos. This was the first goal for the club in ISL for the 21-year-old.
But Northeast United regained their lead in the 24th minute as Jithin MS found Alaeddine Ajaraie who did not fail to score this time. The Mohunbagan backline was seen struggling against the fast pace of the Northeast attacks. Both the teams built up a few offensive moves but none were converted to goals in this ISL 2024-25 clash.
Second Half
The second half started in a similar tempo as the first with both the teams making offensive moves. But the breakthrough came in the 61st minute for the hosts with their captain Subhasish Bose putting the ball in the back of the net from Gurmeet Singh.
This goal raised a lot of questions about referee I Jamal Mohamed’s decision as the ball was seen to be kicked out of Gurmeet Singh’s hand. Northeast United FC’s head coach said, “Sometimes football is unfair. You can play against 11 players, but not against the elements.”
Molina’s men kept the offensive pressure on the Highlanders’ backline after bringing Jamie McLaren to the pitch for Dimitrios Petratos. At the mark of the 87th minute, the combination play of Sahal Abdul Samad and Jason Cummings produced a late winner for the hosts. Jason Cummings’ winner against the Highlanders after coming off the bench was the 11th occasion when a substitute found the back of the net in ISL 2024-25.
Lineups
Mohunbagan Supergiants: Vishal Kaith; Ashish Rai, Tom Aldred, Dippendu Biswas; Manvir Singh (Jason Cummings, 59’), Apuia, Anirudh Thapa (Sahal Abdul Samad, 59’), Subhasish Bose; Greg Stewart (Deepak Tangri, 90+2’), Liston Colaco; Dimitrios Petratos (Jamie McLaren, 78’).
Northeast United FC: Gurmeet Singh; Tondonba Singh, Míchel Zabaco, Asheer Akhtar, Soraisham Dinesh Singh; Mayakkannan, Mohammed Ali Bemammer; Alaeddine Ajaraie (Néstor Albiach, 79’), Macarton Louis Nickson (Parthib Gogoi, 79’), Jithin MS (Thoi Singh Huidrom, 79’); Guillermo Fernández.
What Next For Both Teams
Mohunbagan Supergiants will travel all the way to southern India, where they will face Bengaluru FC in Sree Kanteerava Stadium on 28th September in ISL 2024-25.
On the other hand, Juan Pedro Benali’s men will be hosting Kerala Blasters FC in Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on the 29th of September in ISL 2024-25.
