ISL 2015: NorthEast United 3-2 FC Pune City - 5 Talking Points

Cesar Fariass side inched closer to the last four after they beat FC Pune City 3-2 in a thrilling encounter in their last league encounter. However, ironically, they live at the mercy of David Platts Pune side who have to beat Chennaiyin in their last home game for the Northeast side to make the last four in the second edition of the Hero India Super League. At the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday, goals from the boots of Nicolas Velez, Diomansy Kamara and Andre Bikey were enough for the team from the Northeast to silence the Pune side. The away team did mount a valiant comeback through goals from James Bailey and Adrian Mutu, but it was in vain.

#1 Nicolas Velez\'s threat did the trick

Nicolas Velez toyed with the FC Pune City defence (Photo courtesy ISL)

The presence of Argentinian Nicolas Velez up front made things difficult for the Pune defence. The Buenos Aires-born striker was in the right place at the right time on most of the occasions. His smart running and the rivals defence’s lapses, who were all over the place made things easy for Nicolas to dig into the citadel time and again. Velez was instrumental in NorthEast’s offensive play, and his contribution could not have come at a more important time, as NorthEast vie for the last playoff spot.

#2 FC Pune City\'s hapless defence

FC Pune City’s defence offered keeper Arindam Bhattacharya no protection (Photo courtesy ISL)

The man to face all the music was none other than the Pune keeper Arindam Bhattacharya who otherwise was good under the bar. The first two goals he conceded were the utter fault of the defence. It was the dependable Englishman Roger Johnson who was caught napping in the first ocassion and later, Didier Zokora's foul in their half enabled Northeast to take the 2-1 cushion. The defence of often all at sea, especially while Nicolas Velez drove at them.

#3 Indian players fail for FC Pune City

Dharmaraj Ravanan (R) was quite poor in midfield (Photo courtesy ISL)

The Indian players who have been the trump cards for David Platt were off colour. Lenny Rodrigues and Dharmaraj Ravanan’s approach in this match left a bad taste. Although they had a better say in their ball posession, their passing was way below their usual standards. Lenny was good with the ball, his control and good anticipation and excellent, but when it came to finding his team mate, the lanky Lenny was very poor. On the other hand Ravanan, a defender-turned striker did master the midfield but he ran out off ideas to find his strikers upfront, and it must have been on many ocassions the rivals enjoyed the midfield’s lapses here. Govin Singh who has been good for Pune did not make his presence left when it mattered most for his side in an encounter wherein they wanted nothing less than a victory to keep their hopes alive in this edition of the championship. The twenty-four Manipuri, Govin and very aggressive, but being so he did lose his cool on many ocassions, and unfortunately him and his team, one such act saw his side down 1-3. He brought down Bruno Herrero just on top of the box and Northeast defender André Bikey made it 3-1 in their favour with a classic header which beat Arimdam all hand down.

#4 Didier Zakora says goodbye

Didier Zokora’s involvement in the ISL is over (Photo courtesy ISL)

While it is all over for FC Pune City with one more match to go in this edition, it also over for the Pune skipper Didier Zokora who was booked for the fourth time in this year’s league. However, Zokora contributed a lot for his side from the first match. The Ivorian, who will be completing 35 year on December 14, will be in the spectators stand watching his team’s last match against Chennaiyin FC, in Pune on December 5. An unfortunate way for the defensive midfielder to say goodbye.

#5 Cesar Farias is dependant on Platt

Cesar Farias will be hoping Platt’s side defeat Chennaiyin FC (Photo courtesy ISL)

David Platt would’ve been disappointed with his player’s performance this match. Their approach in this crucial encounter must have given Platt some doubts about returning to the Indian Super League with the same side next year. Platt shook hands with his counterpart Cesar Farias with over ten minutes to go. Farias was probably hopeful that Platt wouldn’t give up as earlier against Chennaiyin FC.