The midweek action continued in the Hero Indian Super League as Match No. 79 saw Mumbai City FC host NorthEast United FC at the Mumbai Football Arena in Andheri, Mumbai.
Mumbai City FC started on the seventh spot in the league standings with 20 points from their fifteen matches of the season and have a remote chance at making the playoffs. NorthEast United are in the bottom position with just 11 points from their sixteen matches and are out of the race for playoffs.
Mumbai City FC won a five-goal thriller at the Mumbai Football Arena as Lucian Goian struck at the death to grab the win for the Islanders. Emana's early strike was canceled out with two goals by the visitors as an own goal by Lucian Goian and Sambinha's header put the min the lead. Everton Santos equalized in the second half for Mumbai as Goian got the winner in added time to keep Mumbai's playoffs hopes alive.
Mumbai City FC
Amrinder Singh (6/10) - The Mumbai keeper was beaten twice in the first half with an own goal by his defender Goian and a header from Sambinha. He produced a couple of good saves between the sticks for the home side.
Raju Gaikwad (6/10) - The Mumbai lad played on the right side of the Mumbai defense and had a tough outing dealing with the dual threat of Robert and Ralte on his flank. He provided the all-important assist for the third goal when his cross was slotted in by Lucian Goian.
Lucian Goian (8/10) - The Mumbai skipper played at the top of the 3-man defense for the home side. He was unlucky as he deflected the effort from Gursimrat Gill into the goal. He was his usual reliable self with his tackling from the back and made many crucial interceptions. He got the winning goal for the Islanders when he got on the end of Raju Gaikwad's cross in the added time.
Marcio Rozario (5/10) - After scoring in the last match against ATK, Rozario was the go-to man for Mumbai on free kicks. He had a couple of cracks today as well but Rehenesh was up to the task keeping his efforts out.
Sanju Pradhan (6/10) - The former DSK Shivajians man played on the right flank for the home side. He was good with his movement on the overlap and put in some teasing crosses into the box for the attackers.
Sehnaj Singh (6/10) - The midfielder put on a hard-working shift for the home side as he covered well for the defenders with his tracking back. He was at his usual intensity during the tackles and made a lot of crucial blocks.
Zakeer Mundampara (5/10) - The young Zakeer played just in front of Sehnaj Singh and distribute the ball for the home side. He kept searching for the runs from attackers ahead of him.
Sahil Tavora (5/10) - The Goan winger played on the flanks and provided good pace for the Mumbaikars with his runs and crosses into the box. He was replaced in the second half by Pranjal Bhumij.
Achille Emana (7.5/10) - The Cameroonian played centrally behind the striker Rafa Jorda for the home side. He got the first goal of the match when he scored in the fifteenth minute with a great effort from outside the box.
Everton Santos (7.5/10) - The Brazilian who has played in all the matches for the home side got his fifth goal of the season when he finished off the headed pass from Rafa Jorda. He was a constant threat for the Highlanders with his movement in and around the box. Everton was awarded the Hero of the Match for his industrious performance.
Rafa Jorda (6/10) - The tall Spaniard played in attack for the Mumbai side and provided them with the aerial prowess. He provided the assist for the second goal when he headed the ball into the path of Everton Santos for the finish.
Substitutes:
Pranjal Bhumij (4/10) - The youngster replaced Sahil Tavora as Mumbai manager Guimaraes injected some fresh blood in the attack.
Leo Costa (4/10) - The Brazilian came on to replace Rafa Jorda as Mumbai increased the attacking intensity with the score at 2-2. He came close to scoring when his free-kick was saved
Abinash Ruidas (4/10) - The young left-back came on in the later part of the second half to replace Zakeer Mundampara as Mumbai pressed on for the winner with fresh legs.
NorthEast United FC
TP Rehenesh (7/10) - The NorthEast United keeper was beaten early on from distance by Achille Emana but had a good half after that as he kept out free-kick attempts from Marcio Rozario. He conceded the second goal when Everton Santos scored to equalize for the Islanders but pulled off a lot of saves again in the second half.
Gursimrat Singh (7/10) - The young right-back made a lot of attacking moves on the flank and was rewarded for his persistence when his effort found the back of the net after a deflection off Lucian Goian.
Nirmal Chhetri (6/10) - The defender who plays as the right-back usually was slotted into the central defense today alongside Sambinha. He did well as he had to deal with the three-pronged attacking threat of the Mumbaikars.
Sambinha (6/10) - The hulking centre-back played alongside Chhetri in the central defense and scored from a corner heading the ball into the bottom corner. He was substituted at the start of the second half by Reagan Singh.
Robert Lalthlamuana (5/10) - The away side skipper played on the right flank and was active up and down the flanks and provided good support for Lalrindika Ralte ahead of him.
Rowllin Borges (5/10) - The lanky Indian international was the pivot between the defense and midfield for the Highlanders. He intercepted a lot of balls in the midfield and distributed the ball well from the center.
Martin Diaz (5/10) - The Uruguayan midfielder played alongside Rowlin Borges and was strong in his tackles putting an end to a lot of Mumbai attacking plays.
Maic Sema (6/10) - The Swiss striker played just behind Mosquera in the attack and was constantly on the move across the box. He fell back to provide an option for the midfielders and kept the Mumbai defenders on their toes.
Fanai Lalrempuia (6/10) - The young winger played on the right flank and put in good crosses into the box for the attackers. He made good runs on the flank and was an option in attack for the visitors.
Lalrindika Ralte (5/10) - The man with the gifted left foot was the designated setpiece taker for the Highlanders and combined well with Robert alongside him. His corner lead to the second goal for NorthEast United when Sambinha headed it past Amrinder Singh.
John Mosquera (6/10) - The striker was the target man in attack for the away side as he kept attacking the Mumbai box and was effective in the air as well. He used his physicality well against the Mumbai defenders.
Substitutes:
Reagan Singh (4/10) - The left-back came on at the start of the second half to replace the goalscorer Sambinha in the defense.
Danilo Cezario (4/10) - The striker was put in for the final fifteen minutes as the coach went all out for the winning goal.
Seminlen Doungel (N/A) - The winge was put in as a last attacking change after Mumbai scored in the added time.