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PANJIM: Sergio Lobera missed a chance to create history as Mumbai City 12-games unbeaten run came to an end following Deshorn Brown’s double which helped NorthEast United FC do the double over their opponents in the Indian Super League at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim.
Scintillating Brown smashed in two goals in the span of three minutes and NorthEast defended resolutely which saw Khalid Jamal register his third consecutive wins in the competition. His side also became the only team to defeat Mumbai City FC in this edition.
Mandar Rao Dessai started for Mumbai which also saw Jackichand Singh get his first start for the club after his move from Jamshedpur FC. For NorthEast, Benjamin Lambot and Provat Lakra were the two changes from their win against ATK Mohun Bagan.
NEUFC got off to the best possible start, scoring two goals in the opening 10 minutes to hand an early blow to Mumbai.
Brown powered NorthEast ahead in the sixth minute. Luis Machado had a shot at goal which was parried by Amrinder Singh, but the danger wasn’t cleared as Nim Dorjee sent in a cross in to the box. Brown, timed his run and smashed the ball, into the back of the net.
The Highlanders punished Mumbai for sloppy defending and scored their second within three minutes. Federico Gallego whipped in a corner in the box, which the Mumbai defense failed to clear as Hernan Santana’s weak header found Machado. The Portuguese forward pushed the ball to Brown and the Jamaican netted his second.
Mumbai tried to get into the game but nearly conceded their third. It was Brown once again for NorthEast. On getting the ball on the flank, Lakra made a run before crossing the ball to an unmarked Brown, however, the Jamaican shot wide.
NorthEast continued with attack and nearly scored the third soon after restart but Mumbai custodian Amrinder Amrinder produced a fine save to deny Lalengmawia.
For NorthEast Khassa Camara did extremely well in midfield particularly creating problems for Hugo Boumous who particularly had a quieter game then he usually has.
Second half substitute Adam Le Fondre pulled a goal back for Islanders in the 85th minute to restore some home for Mumbai. Le Fondre and Boumous teed up before the Frenchman found Ogbeche, who set Le Fondre in the box. And the man who initiated the move, fires the ball at the back of the net.
Mumbai nearly equalised in the stoppage time. Le Fondre’s attempted shot found Mehtab at the far post but his goal bound header was pushed out for a corner by Subhasish Roy.
