Mumbai City FC defeated NorthEast United FC 2-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here in the Indian Super League 2024-25 tonight.
It was thus a bittersweet debut for Shillong as an ISL host city, with the pride of holding the event overshadowed by the defeat for the Highlanders. Local hero Redeem Tlang started the match for NorthEast United.
Mumbai City handed NEUFC their first defeat after a run of eight winless games to jump to fourth spot with 31 points.
NorthEast United made the first critical move in the final third, as it was the duo of Macarton Nickson and Alaaeddine Ajaraie who joined hands from the left side of the field. Nickson picked up the ball from a hasty clearance by the Mumbai City FC backline and launched in a cross for Alaaeddine Ajaraie at the centre. Ajaraie’s header flew over the post, depriving the Highlanders of a fine chance to get a lead in the eighth minute.
Ajaraie came back to spell trouble for the Mumbai City defence five minutes later. Michel Zabaco spotted the forward at a formidable position right at the edge of the box and the Moroccan launched an immediate shot that missed the target to the left.
The Highlanders did not lose momentum though, posing questions to the visitors through an array of offensive options. When sustained build-up did not yield goals, they resorted to hitting the Islanders on fast counters. After absorbing an attacking endeavour in the 26th minute, the Highlanders embarked on a counter-attack, with Mohammed Ali Bemammer laying the final delivery for Ajaraie inside the box. The striker, placed well inside the box, shot the ball aiming for the left side of the net, but missed by a whisker.
Mumbai City overturned this with a moment of absolute brilliance through Brandon Fernandes in the 41st minute. Receiving a pass from Lallianzuala Chhangte on the right flank, Brandon showed great smarts to hurl in a cross for Bipin Singh, who put in a thumping header into the top right corner to give the Islanders the crucial advantage. Bipin, of course, is well known in these parts as he emerged from the ranks of Shillong Lajong several years ago. Redeem and Mumbai goalkeeper Phurba Tempa Lachenpa are also ex-Lajong products.
Chhangte kept pressing up the intensity even as the second half began. He spotted Hmingthanmawia Ralte in a pocket of space on the right flank and served him a chance, which was shot right into the middle of the goal in the 47th minute. Two minutes later, Buanthanglun Samte crossed in a delivery for Nickson following a corner, which the latter received at a slightly difficult angle. He shot it on the left side of the goal but a crowded Mumbai City box kept that out of threat.
However, the Islanders symbolised this game with moments of efficiency that sealed the three points in their favour. Though the Highlanders took 17 shots as compared to five of the visitors, the Petr Kratky-coached team were more composed upfront. In the added time of the second half, Mumbai City struck a rapid counter attack, which Tiri capped off with a superb pass that Chhangte nestled into the bottom right corner from the middle of the 18-yard area to round off a convincing outing.
Mumbai City will play their next game against FC Goa on February 12, whereas NorthEast United are set to feature against Jamshedpur FC the day after before coming back to Shillong to face Bengaluru FC on February 21.
