Late Goal Seals NorthEast United’s 1-0 Win Over Mohammedan SC in ISL 11 – Match 5

In a dramatic ISL 2024-25 opener, NorthEast United snatched a 1-0 victory over Mohammedan SC with a late goal in added time. The match, held at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan Stadium in Kolkata on September 16, 2024, was closely contested, with both sides showing attacking intent but lacking the finishing touch until the dying minutes.

First Half: Tight and Competitive

The first half saw a balanced battle between the two teams, with Mohammedan SC enjoying slightly more possession (over 60%) and displaying impressive control in midfield. However, they failed to convert their dominance into concrete chances. Mohammedan’s Alexis Gomez was a standout performer in the first period, driving the team forward, but the final product eluded them.

For NorthEast United, Jithin MS was lively on the wings, creating two key chances early on, but the finishing touch was missing as well. His link-up play with Guillermo Fernandez was promising, yet they couldn’t capitalize on the spaces opened up by the Mohammedan defense.

Second Half: Building Pressure

The second half saw both teams stepping up the intensity, but it was NorthEast United who began to gain more momentum as the game progressed. Mohammedan, despite their energetic start, struggled to break through a well-organized NorthEast United defense. NorthEast’s substitutions, especially the introduction of Alaeddine Ajaraei and Thoi Singh, proved to be pivotal in the latter stages.

Alaeddine Ajaraei, a Moroccan forward, injected life into the Highlanders’ attack after coming on in the 57th minute. He came close to scoring in the 82nd minute but was denied by the Mohammedan defense. Meanwhile, Mohammedan had a few close chances of their own, with Alexis Gomez’s long-range effort narrowly missing the target.

The Decisive Moment

The game seemed destined for a goalless draw until NorthEast United’s persistence paid off in stoppage time. In the 94th minute, substitute Thoi Singh delivered a perfectly weighted cross into the box, where Alaeddine Ajaraei was waiting. He made no mistake, calmly slotting the ball into the net, giving NorthEast United a 1-0 lead and securing all three points for the visitors.

Key Performers

• Alaeddine Ajaraei was the star of the match, coming off the bench to score the only goal of the game in injury time. His movement and presence in the box troubled the Mohammedan defense throughout the second half.
• Jithin MS was another standout for NorthEast, creating multiple chances on the left wing and contributing significantly to his team’s attacking efforts.
• Alexis Gomez of Mohammedan SC was impressive in midfield, driving his team forward and creating chances, although he couldn’t find the finishing touch himself.

Conclusion and What’s Next

For Mohammedan SC, this loss is a tough pill to swallow in their debut ISL match, especially after controlling large portions of the game. They will look to bounce back when they host FC Goa on September 21. NorthEast United, on the other hand, will be pleased with their resilient performance and will continue their campaign against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in Kolkata on September 23.

This match was a testament to NorthEast United’s ability to grind out results, even when they are not at their best, and will give them confidence moving forward in the season. Mohammedan SC, despite the defeat, showed they can compete at this level and will be eager to improve in their upcoming fixtures.

NorthEast United’s 1-0 Win Over Mohammedan SC – Highlights