Half Time Report: NEUFC lead by early penalty goal, ATK press hard to equalise

Starting Line-Ups:

Atletico de Kolkata - Amrinder Singh, Denzil Franco, Augustin Fernandes, Jewel Raja, Tiri, Borja Fernandez, Jaime Gavilan, Sameehg Doutie, Oftense Nato, Mohammed Rafique, Iain Hume
Starting Line-Ups:

NorthEast United FC - Rehenesh TP, Yumnam Raju, Reagan Singh, Aibor, Carlos Lopez, Andre Bikey, Silas, Bruno Herrero, Simao Sabrosa, Siam Hanghal, Nicolas Velez

AN EARLY PENALTY CONVERSION by Simao Sabrosa allowed NorthEast United to take an early lead against Atletico de Kolkata, which they maintained for the rest of the half. Right now they are 45 minutes away from their first away win of the season.

Atletico de Kolkata went with mostly the same team that beat Mumbai City away from home, with the exception of new signing Mohammed Rafique replacing Syed Rahim Nabi. For NorthEast United, there was a wholesale change, with Bruno Herrero, Nicolas Velez, marquee Simao Sabrosa, Reagan Singh and Siam Hanghal all making it into the starting line-up.

The visitors took the lead very early in the game. In the 7th minute, during a corner, Oftense Nato walked into a leaping Carlos Lopez, causing him to fall awkwardly on his head. The referee immediately pointed towards the spot. Simao Sabrosa stepped up to take the penalty kick and converted. 

Throughout the rest of the half, the defending champions tried hard to get even and NEUFC, slightly on the defensive under a wade of attacks from the home side, held on tight to deny them.

Iain Hume was brought down by Carlos Lopez who got on the referee's book. Gavilan took the free kick but Rehenesh foiled it.

Sameehg Doutie also got brought down, right outside the box as well, after a through ball from Borja Fernandez got to him. But he was already in an offside position, so the free kick from a great position did not materialise for ATK.

A good pass from Bruno reached Nicolas Velez gave him a good shot at the goal, but the effort went above the crossbar. Then Borja got through to Iain Hume but Rehenesh came to the rescue for the Highlanders.

And then Velez scored. It was Simao who had invaded the box and trumped the keeper. He passed to Velez who slotted the ball in. But by then the linesman's flag was up as the Argentinian striker was already in an offside position.

Towards the end of the first half new old boy Mohammed Rafique flashed into action, invading the box and setting Hume up, but the Canadian striker missed the target.

Rafique had one more good chance, as a ball from Gavilan saw him breach the NEUFC defensive line and sprint towards the ball. Had he got to the ball he would be inside the box with acres of space and only the keeper ahead. But he fell short. 

Thus at the end of the first half NorthEast United managed to keep their 1 goal lead. If they succeed in doing that for another half they would bag their first away win of the season in a very critical juncture of their campaign. But the way ATK are pressing hard, carrying out more than 70% of the attack, they are in for a tough 45 minutes.