High-Octane NorthEast United FC put on an impressive show with a thumping 3-0 away victory over Mumbai City FC in their Indian Super League (ISL 2024-25) match at the Mumbai Football Arena here Monday.
Alaaeddine Ajaraie (1’, 83’) and Macarton Louis Nickson (86’) got their names on the scoresheets, as the Highlanders climbed to fourth in the ISL table. NorthEast United FC closed 2024 on a high with 21 points from 13 games.
Fastest goal of ISL 2024-25
Fast starts have been the hallmark of NorthEast United FC this season. Coming into the match, they had scored 8 goals in the opening 15 minutes. On Monday, they could not have asked for a faster start.
Mohammed Ali Bemammer found Parthib Gogoi down the right flank, and the 21-year-old forward controlled it impeccably with his first touch, and after taking another touch, put in a brilliant cross which was just chested into the goal by Ajaraie for the fastest goal of the ISL 2024-25 with just 46 seconds on the clock.
Buoyed by the early lead, NorthEast United FC continued to threaten Mumbai’s goal with numerous chances and earned a penalty in the 24th minute. However, Ajaraie’s spot-kick was saved by Mumbai custodian Rehenesh, the only blemish on the perfect night. The visitors went into the break 1-0 ahead with Redeem Tlang, Asheer Akhtar, Michel Zabaco and Buanthanglun Samte putting in a shift at the back.
In the second half as well, Juan Pedro Benali’s men kept the host at arm’s length with a solid show by Mayakkannan, Mohammed Ali Bemammer and Macarton in front of the backline. Gurmeet, who was rarely tested, ensured that he kept the ball out of the net, whenever Mumbai had a sniff at the goal.
In the second half, Robin Yadav (on for Tlang) and Tondonba Singh (on for Samte) joined the Akhtar-Zabaco duo to ensure the team earns the season’s third clean sheet.
In the closing stages of the match, at the end of another impressive move, Macarton found Ajaraie in the box, who cut onto his left foot to score his second on the night at the 83rd-minute mark. Three minutes later, Macarton, who was named the player of the match, put a cherry on the top with a neat finish in the bottom corner.
Record-breaker Alaaeddine
Ever since joining NorthEast United FC, Ajaraie has broken a host of records. With his opening goal, Ajaraie surpassed Bartholomew Ogbeche (12 goals) for the most goals scored for NorthEast United FC in a single season. With his second, he surpassed Parthib Gogoi to become the highest-ever goal scorer in the history of NorthEast United FC (17 goals). He is currently the leading goal scorer in the league with 14 goals in 13 appearances.
NorthEast United FC next face Mohammedan SC on January 3 2025 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium.
