ISL: NorthEast United down Blasters, keep playoff hopes alive

Guwahati: NorthEast United FC defeated Kerala Blasters FC by 2-0 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Saturday night to in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24.  As a result of this win, the Highlanders have increased the competition for the sixth playoff spot, as they have jumped to the seventh place with 23 points to their name from 20 matches. 

Chennaiyin FC are in sixth place with 24 points from as many games, whereas Bengaluru FC and East Bengal FC breathe down their neck with 22 and 21 points to their name respectively. 

As for Kerala Blasters, their woes have only worsened with this loss. They have qualified for the playoffs as a result of a formidable first half of the campaign. However, four defeats in their last five matches certainly don’t hold them in good stead before the next round of the tournament begins. 

For a large chunk of the game though, it appeared that the two teams would settle for a point each. The deadlock just wouldn’t look as it would break, but it took two of NorthEast United FC’s in-form attackers in Nestor Albiach and Jithin M S to net once each in the last 10-odd minutes of the game to secure three points for their team. 

Nestor’s goal in the 84th minute came as a result of the Highlanders adopting a direct approach under the watch of central defender Michel Zabaco. The Spaniard took matters in his own hands and delivered a sharp long ball from the backline that Nestor brought down near the box and glided ahead before hammering it home to open the scoring. Kerala Blasters, keen to regain momentum, began searching for the equaliser with greater vigour, exposing spaces in their own defence. For the Highlanders, this came as a chance to double their lead and bag the all-important win, which was extremely critical for their playoffs prospects. 

Keralite Jithin converted a fairly straightforward assist by Phalguni Singh from an extremely close range into the bottom left corner through a deft touch from his right foot in the added time of the second half. 

Mohun Bagan Super Giant beat Punjab FC

Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Punjab FC by 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi in the evening as the Mariners kept afloat their hopes of clinching the League Winners Shield.

A strike by Dimitrios Petratos in the 42nd minute, which made him the outright highest goal-scorer for the Mariners in the ISL history, ensured that the Antonio Lopez Habas-coached side suffered no more hiccups in catching up to the top-placed Mumbai City FC. Punjab have effectively crashed out of the race to qualify for the playoffs with this defeat too.

Mohun Bagan have 42 points in 20 games, two behind the Islanders (44), and hence the Mariners have all to play for especially considering that the two teams clash on the final day of the league stages on April 15 at the Salt Lake Stadium.

(With inputs from ISL Media)