Internet Desk: Mumbai City FC went top of Hero Indian Super League 2016 with a 1-0 win over NorthEast United FC in front of almost 30,000 fans at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday evening. Making his first start of the season, Jackichand Singh scored the only goal of the match in the 45th minute after a goalkeeping error led to an easy finish for the winger.
Diego Forlan threaded a beautiful ball to play Jackichand in on goal as early as the sixth minute. The Indian winger got to the ball before an onrushing Wellington Gomes. However, his shot flew agonisingly wide of the target to the delight of the home faithful.
Forlan put in a dangerous free-kick from the left eight minutes later to find Leo Costa for a free header inside the six-yard box. Mailson Alves though did just about enough to prevent Costa from keeping his effort on target.
The Highlanders’ first opportunity came in the 20th minute after Katsumi Yusa put Holicharan Narzary in on goal with a delightful through ball. Narzary controlled the ball and narrowed in on goal before sending a left-footed strike wide of the target.
NorthEast started to grow into the game with Katsumi setting up Emiliano Alfaro 10 minutes later. The Uruguayan produced a brilliant first-time goal-bound volley but Albino Gomes was equal to the task and pulled off a spectacular save.
The visitors went in front on the stroke of half-time following a goalkeeping error by Wellington. NorthEast’s Brazilian custodian got caught with the ball at his feet by Sony Norde, who set up Jackichand for an easy finish to put Mumbai 1-0 up at the break.
Mumbai came close to doubling their lead 11 minutes into the second period as Krisztian Vadocz headed a cross from the left fractions wide of NorthEast’s goal. Costa had another effort on goal in the 72nd minute but once again the Brazilian’s effort failed to test the goalkeeper.
The hosts upped the tempo with 15 minutes to play and the pressure nearly paid dividends. A goalmouth scramble in the 76th minute was somehow put behind for a corner. The resulting corner from Katsumi was met by substitute Seityasen Singh, who headed straight into the grateful hands of the goalkeeper.
With the game getting increasingly stretched, another substitute could have found his name on the scoresheet. Forlan found Matias Defederico with a beautiful pass to put him goal-side of NorthEast’s defence in the 79th minute. The Argentine’s shot, however, trickled tantalisingly wide of goal as the score stayed at 1-0.
Mumbai kept more of the ball in the closing stages and continued to draw fouls from the tiring Highlanders as they ran down the clock. NorthEast were finding joy in the wide areas. However, Mumbai’s well-drilled backline defended the balls coming in from the wings in resolute fashion to do the double over Nelo Vingada’s men.