SHILLONG — NorthEast
United FC defeated East Bengal FC 4-0 for their first win of the league at
Shillong in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru
Stadium on Saturday.
The Highlanders thus bagged their 10th win of the league
season, wrapping up their 24 games and earning 38 points before embarking on
their playoff journey. This was the eighth match in which NorthEast United FC
scored three or more goals this season, and also got their first-ever ISL win
in Shillong.
East Bengal FC had limited chances coming their way in the
first half, but Cleiton Silva did give NorthEast United FC a moment of scare
through a probing free-kick in the 22nd minute. With the team earning a chance
at a promising spot on the left flank, Silva swerved in a telling delivery that
resulted in the ball landing over the crossbar.
NorthEast United FC retaliated by moving gradually up the
left wing through Alaaeddine Ajaraie, who lobbed in a cross for Nestor Albiach
in the 32nd minute. Nestor made a robust effort at hitting the target with an
aerial effort, but the shot was kept off limits by East Bengal FC goalkeeper
Debjit Majumder.
Ajaraie back-heeled a pass for the on-rushing Tondonba Singh
on the left flank, followed by the latter drilling in a cross for Nestor at the
centre of the 18-yard box. Nestor met the lateral ball with thorough finesse
and slotted it into the bottom right corner with his left foot to break the
deadlock in the 59th minute.
The Highlanders rode on this brief wave in their favour as
Nestor played a key role in shaping up a dynamic offensive sequence from a
corner kick. Guillermo Fernandez curled in a right-footed inward curling cross
for Macarton Nickson that was hammered on target. Debjit made a quick first
save before Ajaraie lapped upon the rebound and nestled it into the bottom left
corner amid a crowded box to double the lead in the 66th minute.
Ajaraie took over a dazzling role thereafter, with East
Bengal FC conceding him plenty of space to work his footwork around in the
defensive third. The free-flowing forward looked to breach into the
opposition’s box from the left side and sprinted near the six-yard box.
Tanmay Das fouled Ajaraie, and the striker stepped up to
take over the spot-kick duties, using his right foot to dispatch the ball into
the bottom right corner in the 79th minute. Das was sent off after another foul
in the 84th minute, handing the Highlanders a numerical advantage in the final
phase of the encounter.
NorthEast United FC did not relent on offensive pressure and
kept pushing forward, thereby earning set-piece chances, including corner
kicks, to further peg East Bengal FC back in the game.
One such corner kick in the 86th minute resulted in the
Highlanders grappling to discover another goal before Mohammed Ali Bemammer
pounced upon a loose ball and settled it into the bottom right corner to find
his team’s fourth goal of the night, propelling them to finish their league
stage on a positive note.
