New Delhi: First half goals from Spaniards Guillermo Fernandez and Nestor Albiach ensured ten men NorthEast United overcome Punjab FC 2-1 in a tightly fought Indian Super League encounter played here at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Ivan Novoselec scored deep into the second half for Punjab FC. With this win NorthEast United moved to second place in the table momentarily with 15 points while Punjab FC remained in sixth with 12 points.
Filip Mrzljak returned from injury and replaced Asmir Suljic in the starting lineup for Punjab. Leon Augustine continued at right back as Panagiotis Dilmperis continued to trust his preferred system and players. NorthEast United missed the services of Bemmamer as Juan Pedro Benali lined his team in an attacking 4-3-3 formation.
The game was played at a frantic pace as both sides went into full on attacking mode from the first whistle. Luka Majcen had the first effort on goal which was blocked by Miguel Zabaco. On the other end Alaaeddine Ajaraie tested Ravi Kumar on goal but his effort went straight to the keeper.
The Highlanders capitalized on some loose defending and scored twice in the space of three minutes stunning the home side. Ajaraie foxed Abhishek in the left wing and the Moroccan crossed the ball into the vacant six yard box for Guillermo Fernandez to get ahead of Ivan Novoselec to tap into an empty net. NorthEast doubled the lead in the next move through a first time volleyed finish by Nestor Albiach.
Punjab FC dominated the game from there on and created a whole lot of chances but the forward line could not capitalize on them. The Shers were creating chances from every move but the finishing was lacking frustrating the side. Nihal, Filip and Luka missed chances from inside the six yard box. Pulga Vidal’s attempt at the end of a good move down the right hit the crossbar increasing the home side’s frustrations. Punjab were given a lifeline at the end of the first half when NorthEast defender Dinesh Singh was sent off for his second yellow card offense.
Punjab came into the second half with renewed vigour putting out an all out attack against the ten men of NorthEast. Luka forced a fine save out of Gurmeet Singh in the first attempt of the second half. Punjab had all the possession as NorthEast were happy to sit back and defend, protecting their two goal lead. Gurmeet remained solid in goal for NorthEast thwarting multiple efforts from Punjab.
The goal came finally in the 88th minute. Substitute Ninthoi made light work in the right wing and his cross found Asmir Suljic in the far post. The Hungarian’s first time effort was saved by Gurmeet but the rebound fell kindly for Ivan Novoselec who was playing high up the field. The Croatian made no mistake tapping the ball inside the goal.
Punjab pushed hard for the equaliser but could not find the equaliser even after multiple attempts with Filip failing to keep his header below in the dying moments of the game from Asmir’s free kick. In the end the away side secured all three points in the tightly fought encounter.
Punjab FC will face Mumbai City FC in their next fixture in three days’ time on November 26th at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai.
