Kwesi Appiah’s spot kick early in the second saw Northeast United get three points against ten men Mumbai City who had Ahmed Jahouh given the marching orders in the 43rd minute.
Game of Two Halves
First Half – Mumbai City FC
The Islanders started the match looking every bit the team everyone expected them to be. Sergio Lobera’s side bossed the possession and played beautiful attacking football right from the off. The Islanders, however, were found guilty for playing one pass too many in the final third and looked like they were trying to walk the ball into the net. North East United, on the other hand, were more than happy to soak in the pressure and was dealt a fortunate hand when Mumbai City’s talisman Ahmed Jahouh was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Camara just minutes before half time.
Second Half – North East United
The red card changed the dynamics of the game as the Highlanders came off the blocks and made the most out of their numerical advantage in the second half. North East United were duly rewarded for their positive approach in the 49th minute when Mumbai City’s Rowlin Borges handled the ball inside the box and Kwesi Appiah stepped up to slot home the spot kick sending Amrinder Singh the wrong way. The solitary goal turned out to be enough for the Highlanders as Mumbai City failed to muster a single shot on target the whole game.
An Underdog Story
Having done some excellent business in the transfer window, Mumbai City FC have widely been tipped as one of the favourites for the ISL title this season. On the other hand, Northeast United looked resigned to have one of their quiet mediocre seasons. And while the early red card for Mumbai City’s Ahmed Jahouh changed the course of the game, the Highlanders looked quite comfortable in their own skin against the Islanders side that oozes quality.
The match also saw the youngest coach in the ISL, Gerard Nus (36) of Northeast United, get one over the most sought after coach in the ISL, Sergio Lobera of Mumbai City on his ISL debut.