Captain Goian’s last-minute goal hands Mumbai win over Northeast

MUMBAI: Captain Lucian Goian scored a last-minute winner to guide Mumbai City FC to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Northeast United FC and keep alive their play-off hopes in the ISL, here on Thursday.

Romanian Goian, who was the villain in the first half after conceding an own goal to allow Northeast take a 2-1 half-time lead, finally made amends in brilliant fashion to sweep home a chip into the box sent by Raju Gaekwad in the 90th minute and provide a great finish for the home team when the match looked headed towards a draw.

Mumbai, who needed to win all three remaining matches to have a realistic chance of making the four-team play-offs, took early lead but fell behind 1-2 before half- time. They equalised early in the second half but could not break open the Northeast defence till Goian applied the finishing touch to a fine chip to the far post by Gaekwad.

The victory also halted the hosts’ four-game losing streak at the Mumbai Football Arena and helped them boost their tally to 23 points with two away games in hand against Delhi Dynamos and Chennaiyin FC, both of which they need to win in order to qualify for the semi-finals.

KERALA VS CHENNAIYIN KOCHI:KERALA Blasters would look to extend their unbeaten run when they take on Chennaiyin FC in a crucial Indian Super League match, here on Friday.

Unbeaten in four consecutive matches, Kerala Blasters are eying a remote possibility of making the ISL play-offs and a win tomorrow would definitely help their cause.