NorthEast United players celebrate during Mumbai City FC vs NorthEast United FC ISL Game
Highlight
- NorthEast United had a positive start but Mumbai soon got hold of the tie.
- NorthEast United finished 10th in the table with 10 points from 14 matches.
Defending champions Mumbai City FC could not break their winless run as NorthEast United FC drew 1-1 in a Hero Indian Super League (ISL) match here on Tuesday.
Ahmed Jahouh helped defending champions take the lead from the spot in the 30th minute, but a relentless NorthEast United piled on the pressure and finally got their reward through substitute Mohammad Irshad, who took both sides in the 79th minute. Made sure to share the loot.
The result means Mumbai are back in the top four without a win in their last six matches but with only 18 points from 12 matches, level on points with Chennaiyin FC, who will take on Bengaluru FC on Wednesday.
NorthEast United finished 10th in the table with 10 points from 14 matches.
Things got worse for Mumbai when Ameya Ranade showed a red card at stoppage time after taking his second yellow card.
NorthEast United had a positive start, but Mumbai soon tightened their grip on the tie, with Jahouh bowling a delicious delivery to Vikram Pratap Singh, whose flick-on was off target.
The momentum was soon reflected in a goal from a spot-kick after Vikram was tripped inside the box by Mashoor Sharif.
NorthEast strongly protested the referee’s decision and Jahouh threw the ball high and into the left corner of the goal, leaving no chance for Roy Chowdhury to make a hand.
Staggered by a goal, the Highlanders took the lead, but it was Mumbai who saw the possibility of both sides to double their lead.
In the second period, NorthEast United had an early chance to level but Gurjinder Kumar took the lead.
NorthEast United’s best chance fell to Suhair Vadakkepedika, whose chip caught Mohammad Nawaz off his line but the ball went off the post.
Hernán Santana then tried his luck with a delightful free-kick, but the keeper did well to keep his effort at bay.
NorthEast United kept knocking on doors and finally got their reward from an unexpected source.
Minutes after coming on for Shahnaz Singh, defender Irshad found the back of the net with a striker’s finish when the ball fell to him from a NorthEast United corner and he applied a clean finish towards the far corner.
Casio Gabriel had a golden opportunity to help Mumbai back into the lead when Ameya Ranavade swung a sharp cross for them inside the box, but the Brazilian made a sharp save from Roy Chowdhury.
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