Half Time Report: Chhetri's brace puts Mumbai in commanding position against aggressive NE
Mumbai City FC - Subrata Paul, Ashutosh Mehta, Frantz Bertin, Pavel Cmovs, Darren O'Dea, Lalchhuan Mawia, Cristian Bustos, Sony Norde, Sunil Chhetri, Subash Singh, Frederic Piquionne
NorthEast United FC - Rehenesh TP, Aiborlang Khongjee, Cedric Hengbart, Reagan Singh, Carlos Lopez, Jorge, Boithang Haokip, Simao Sabrosa, Siam Hanghal, Andre Bikey, Nicolas Velez
A BRILLIANT BRACE FROM Sunil Chhetri saw Mumbai City end the first half in a commanding position with a 2-1 lead over NorthEast United in ISL tonight.
Mumbai City came in with two changes to their side; Subash Singh and Frantz Bertin given a start over Gabriel Fernandes and Juan Aguilera. For NorthEast United, the changes were more aggressive; Silas, Simao Sabrosa, Nicolas Velez and Boithang Haokip all came into the starting line-up as coach Cesar Farias had the whole squad fully fit and available for him to pick from for the first time.
The match saw end to end action from the very outset as NorthEast United started on an aggressive posture but Mumbai City were more than capable of making fitting replies with counters and moves of their own.
Norde, being a danger man, attracted fouls early on, and Bikey worked hard to put some pressure on the Mumbai City defence. Chhetri lingered ominously near the NEUFC box as the defenders threw themselves around making multiple blocks.
But the deadlock broke in the 25th minute when Carlos Lopez handled the ball inside the penalty box, gifting Mumbai City a penalty. Sunil Chhetri took it, completely fooled keeper Rehenesh and sent the home team 1-0 up.
But the lead didn't last long as a defensive error of Mumbai's own allowed the Highlanders to draw level. It was a free kick taken by Boithang Haokip, that swung slightly in the air and came in at an angle towards the goal. Subrata Paul should really have made the save but the ball eluded him and found its way into the net. A great free kick by all means, but a goal due to the keeper's error. It was 1-1 and the tussle went a notch up.
Both sides had their chances. Nicolas Velez sent a great cross to Mehta who failed to reach the ball and Pavel cleared it. Then Norde's shot was punched away by Rehenesh, going straight to Pavel whose header hit the crossbar.
But then Mumbai had struck again. A brilliant header from Subash Singh who was running up the right flank saw the ball curve its way over the keeper and a defender to meet an onrushing Sunil Chhetri who put the finishing move on the ball from a tight angle with a high left foot and the ball went into the net like a bullet. It was 2-1 to Mumbai City.
The fight reached a fever pitch as the game approached half-time. Bikey made a nasty foul on Bertin and got booked. When the referee blew the whistle, Mumbai City were firmly in the lead, meeting NEUFC's aggression with like-for-like assertiveness skillfulness. The second half is going to be an interesting display of competitive football with fight for victory expected to last till the final minutes.
