ISL: Injury, booking, substitutions cost Mumbai City FC

Mumbai: The match – no less than a Bollywood Diwali release – of the Indian Super League here at the DY Patil Stadium came as a shocker for Mumbai fans. NorthEast United, who barely had possession in the first half, turned the tide in the second scoring two goals, beating Mumbai City FC 2-0.

Kondwani Mtonga drew first blood for the Highlanders after Koke chipped the ball inside the six-yard box. Before custodian Subrata Paul could collect the ball, Mtonga found the target.

Andre Moritz – the star of last weekend – was moving around with a plaster on his forehead. There were rumours of him meeting with an accident in the hotel. Though the reason isn’t confirmed, Moritz did look cautious throughout the first half despite creating a chance or two. Surprisingly, he was taken off later. But the crowd did not mind for he made way for Fredrik Ljungberg.

But the Swedish’s presence was a cameo. He suffered a cramp and bowed out in the 72^nd minute. Unfortunately, it came at a time when Mumbai exhausted all their substitutions, and were down with 10 men.

Pavel Cmovs’ second yellow card in the match added to their misery in the 75^th minute leaving them with nine players.

The spectators lost hope too. They started chanting “NorthEast, NorthEast” startlingly. Taking advantage of the situation, the Highlanders started their counter-attack which strengthened their lead by another goal in the injury time. Felipe de Castro, due to less players inside the box, had no problem beating the goalkeeper after James Keene’s cross.

Mumbai had their chances, but most of it came in the first half. The one that could have been the first goal of the match was in the 14^thminute. Nadong Bhutia was supplied a long ball from the wings. He ran into the box from the right flank and passed it to Singam Subhash Singh inside the six-yard box. But he was tad late in the delivery. Hence, the Indian forward – who also ran offside many a times during the 90 minutes – could not finish.

With the away win, NorthEast United are now second in the standings, next to Atletico De Kolkata, with seven points.