For the bulk of the first half, NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) played second fiddle to newly promoted Mohammedan SC (MSC), who surprised everyone with an organized display.
But deep in added-on time, NEUFC found a way to breach the MSC defense when Ajaraie found the back of the net in the ninety-fourth minute of the game to hand full points to The Highlanders at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday night.
Here are the top-five talking points for the match:
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#5 MSC aren’t to be taken lightly
A newly promoted side often shows signs of nerves but not MSC.
They came flying out of the gates in front of a boisterous home crowd. They had possession for bulk of the first half, strung together numerous passes and called the shots.
In all, MSC had 60% of the possession through the game.
In the second half, when NEUFC switched gears, MSC were resolute in defense, getting bodies behind the ball and keeping The Highlanders at bay.
Clearly, the other sides watching this performance tonight will know that they can’t take The Black Panthers lightly.
The Highlanders get the better of debutants Mohammedan SC with the help of a stoppage-time goal by Moroccan forward Alaeddine Ajaraie.
FT: MSC 0⃣-1⃣ NEUFC
📷: @MohammedanSC #IndianFootball ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/DGuyXG1rgY
— The Bridge Football (@bridge_football) September 16, 2024
#4 Jithin and Guillermo combine well for NEUFC
The duo was great to watch up front for NEUFC.
In the first half, when NEUFC had to resort to counter attacks, the duo played several one-two moves at the edge of the box to trouble the MSC defense.
In the second half, the two were at it again, causing a headache to the MSC back-line.
In all NEUFC produced two shots on goal and 13 shots in all.
And for his stellar performance, Jithin was adjudged the player of the match.
#3 Alexis Gomez, an entertaining number 10 for MSC
Aside from their organization, the other bright spot for MSC was the showing of Alexis Gomez.
The number ten executed multiple forward pushes for MSC and produced several shots.
In all MSC had 9 shots out of which, two were on target.
Gomez also thrilled the crowd with his deft footwork and ability to dodge multiple defenders with his guile and skill.
Gomez is bound to be a crowd favourite in the games to come.
#2 NEUFC switch gears in the second half
The Highlanders were clearly caught off guard by the pace and organization of MSC in the first half.
In the second half, however, NEUFC came out attacking.
With four corners, they repeatedly troubled the MSC back line and this eventually paid dividends.
#1 Ajaraie the super-sub
When Ajaraie came on as a substitute for NEUFC, he injected pace and urgency to the forward line.
With multiple penetrations into the box, he had the MSC defense scampering.
And eventually, when the ball fell to him in the 94th minute, he drilled the ball into the back of the net for what would prove to be the deciding goal.