Cesar Farias’s side have climbed to the fourth spot but would hope that Pune City win their final game against Chennaiyin for NorthEast to make it into the play-offs...
NorthEast Unted registered a 3-2 win over FC Pune City to keep their hopes of making it into the Indian Super League (ISL) play-offs alive. Goals from Nicolas Velez (4'), Diomansy Kamara (18') and Andre Bikey (43') were enough for the home side with Pune scoring twice through James Bailey (8') and Adrian Mutu (86').
Cesar Farias made four changes to his line-up as Nicolas Velez, Aiborlang Khongjee, Andre Bikey and Bruno Herrero were included in the starting eleven. David Platt too made four changes as Roger Johnson, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Govin Singh and Jackichand Singh named in the first team.
The home side took the lead as early as in the fourth minute. Zokora lost the ball in the midfield and Bruno Herrero’s pass found Victor Mendy whose first touch took the ball to the byline. His cross into the box was chipped by Velez first time to score the 150th goal of the ISL season two.
It took exactly four minutes more for FC Pune City to restore parity. Jackichand Singh found Didier Zokora in the middle who squared the ball for James Bailey. The English midfielder curled the ball past Rehenesh, who managed to get a finger to the ball.
The action packed first half continued as the Highlanders regained the lead in the 18th minute. Velez was in action again as his run down the right on the counter was followed by a high cross across the goal which found Diomansy Kamara who tapped it in.
The action packed first half continued as the Highlanders regained the lead in the 18th minute. Velez was in action again as his run down the right on the counter was followed by a high cross across the goal which found Diomansy Kamara who tapped it in.
It was scrappy affair as neither side were able to keep the ball. There were too many fouls and free-kicks awarded for both teams. Just after the half hour mark, Shorey’s free-kick from the right found Mutu whose flick missed the far post.
With two minutes to go for the first half, the home side made it 3-1 with Andre Bikey scoring his first of the tournament. Govin Singh blocked Nicolas Velez’s run and rightly booked for the same. The corresponding freekick from Bruno Arias found the head of the towering Cameroonian who headed home to help his side gain a two-goal advantage going into the break
Four minutes into the second half, Kalu Uche chested the ball down for Lenny Rodrigues to have a pop. The midfielder’s shot from the edge of the box went over the bar.
What followed was excitement in patches as both teams had the opportunity to create chances. Seityasen had a couple of chances but instead of looking for a team-mates inside the box his shots were aimed straight at Arindam in goal. The away side exhausted all their substitutions after Platt brought on Yendrick Ruiz and Lalrempuia Fanai in place of Lenny Rodrigues and Kalu Uche.
Fanai had an instant impact as his shot missed the far post after Mutu played him through. Ruiz made a meal out of a chance as instead of shooting straight, the Costa Rican chose to lob the ball over the keeper and his effort went wide. There was still some hope left for the Orange and Purple brigade as Adrian Mutu found the back of the net in the 86th minute from a free-kick.
In the dying embersof the game, Diomansy Kamara was booked for simulation.
NorthEast United finished their league campaign with 20 points. FC Pune City have been knocked out in the race to reach the semi-finals. The Maratha team now travel back home to face Chennaiyin FC, where even a point for the Machans would knock out NorthEast United.
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário