Northeast boost play-off hopes with 2-0 victory
MUMBAI: Northeast United FC took a huge step towards clinching a play-off spot with a 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League clash at the Mumbai Football Arena on Wednesday.
Two first-half goals from Rowllin Borges (4) and striker Bartholomew Ogbeche (33) were enough for the visitors as Mumbai were consigned to their third defeat in a row. They had lost to FC Goa at home 2-0 before going down 1-0 in an away match against Jamshedpur FC,
Both teams, with 27 points from 16 matches, are still very much in the play-off race. However, the result invites pressure on Mumbai as Northeast climbed above them to the second spot and FC Goa can potentially leapfrog them too if they win against ATK on Thursday.
Mumbai got off to a nightmarish start when Northeast roared into the lead in the fourth minute. The goal stemmed from a brilliant run from Keegan Pereira down the left wing.
His pinpoint low cross into the box was met by Borges who placed it into the top corner to stun the hosts.
The Islanders did respond to that setback through Arnold Issoko who picked out Rafael Bastos on the edge of the box after ghosting past Mato Grgic to the byline. However, Bastos’ curled effort clipped the crossbar and went out.
Northeast pressed home their advantage just past the half an hour mark. Federico Gallego did well to release Reagan Singh down the right wing. His cross was bundled in at the far post by Ogbeche to notch his 12th goal of the season.