NorthEast United FC pipped Mohammedan SC 1-0 in the Indian Super League 2024-25 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday.
Alaeddine Ajaraie scored the only goal of the match in added time after 90.
It was the debutant team who were off the blocks for the first attack of the game. As early as the fifth minute, when Alexis Gomes’ ball into the box was promptly punched away by Gurmeet Singh.
NorthEast United took time to get into the game but at the 20-minute mark, Guillermo Fernandez had a golden chance to get his side the lead. Jithin MS had made a good snaking run through the mid-field.
After the initial exchanges of missed chances, both teams smartened up their approach – shoring up their mid-field.
The eventual challenges flowed as the referee was forced to take the names of Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak of Mohammedan as well as Soraisham Dinesh Singh and Mohammed Ali Bemammer of NorthEast.
By the time the water break came, around the half-an-hour mark, either team had squandered at least a couple of chances through poor touches in front of goal.
Jithin MS had a chance again in the 36th minute to get the opening goal of the game but his shot was well over the crossbar from the edge of the box.
MSC also had a chance to finally break the deadlock in the 40th minute. Alexis Gomez’s good movement meant he found himself in space as he set Makan Chote free on the right. Lalremsanga Fanai, who was eventually found to be off-side, missed the latter’s cross.
The proceedings remained pretty much the same after the restart. Parthib Gogoi and Alexis Gomez created chances but their weak efforts and mis-timed attempts were seen off easily.
Jithin MS had two back-to-back chances around the 60th and 65th minute but the first effort went wide as the second shot flew again over the bar.
Substitute Bikash Singh looked promising after coming on. In the 71st minute, the 23-year-old was played in by Alexis Gomez. His shot though was just wide.
Two minutes later, Guillermo Fernandez too headed wide after a cross from Michel Zabaco.
As the game trickled to a close, it was Alexis Gomez who came the closest to decide the match. In the 82nd minute, the Mohammedan star midfielder’s right-footed shot from outside the box missed the top corner by mere inches.
Four added minutes after 90, Alaeddine Ajaraie finally blasted the ball into the back of the net.
Guillermo Fernandez Hierro had seemingly handled the ball in the build-up as he played in Jithin MS, who flashed the ball across the penalty box. As the ball went over the other flank, Thoi Singh’s cross from the left was smashed home by Alaeddine.
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