Match 11 of the Hero Indian Super League featured Mumbai City FC and North East United FC at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Mumbai started the match high on confidence after their thrashing 5-0 victory over Pune, North East drew their last home game against Goa.
Mumbai dominated the first half with more attacks upfront while North East’s players were mostly busy around the midfield area. Their attacks were not fruitful. Last match’s hero, Andre Moritz played in a more central role and Nadong Bhuta operated from the wing. Mumbai’s attacks were dangerous and the visiting team was lucky not to concede in or two occasions. North East United FC’s attackers were mostly ineffective except Koke, on whom the entire team is showing over dependence. Mumbai dominated ball possession and their attacking index too was exceptionally high in comparison to North East. Also their hard working Zambian central midfielder, Isaac Chansa was taken off at an early due to injury.
North East United FC regained form from the beginning of second half. Their game improved and they created more chances. Mumbai too played their attacking style of football utilising the wings as well as holding the ball in midfield. Lalrindika Ralte played attractive football but failed to create any positive chance. In the 57th minute, Koke delivered a brilliant ball to Kondwani Mtonga who moved up from the defensive midfield position and finished the move with a fantastic lob over Subrata Pal and found the back of the net. After the goal, North East’s started dominating the proceedings. Mumbai’s biggest blow came when their marquee player, Fredrik Ljungberg limped out of the pitch with a hamstring injury. Mumbai were down to 10 men as they had already completed all their three substitutions. Immediately after Ljungberg left the field, Mumbai’s centre back, Pavel Cmovs was sent off due to a double booking, thus reducing Mumbai City FC to nine men on the pitch. In the injury time, substitute James Keene created an incredible move from the right side dribbling past Deepak Mondal. He assisted the ball to Felipe De Castro who scored the goal with ease.
Ricki Herbert has a lot to work on, even though, his team pulled off a convincing away victory. Their attack lacks imagination and they are over dependent on Koke. Mumbai City FC on the other hand needs to be consistent. They would miss Ljungberg in upcoming matches but on a positive will be able to avail the services of another marquee striker Nicolas Anelka.
North East United: Rehenesh, Khongjee, Capdevila, Garcia (c), Gurung, Mtonga, Chansa, Zodingliana, Dong-Hyun, Koke, Boro.
Mumbai City FC: Subrata, Costa, Cmovs, Friedrich (c ) Tiago, ), Letzelter, Stohanzl, Ralte, Bhutia, Moritz, Subhash Singh
