NorthEast United FC mounted a stunning second-half comeback to thump Hyderabad FC 5-2 in their Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Gachibowli Stadium here Monday.
A brace by Guillermo Fernandez (18’, 61’), Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s 12th goal of the season (73’), and own goals by Lenny Rodrigues (54’) and Alex Saji (78’) took the Highlanders back into the top six. NorthEast United FC are sixth in the standings with 18 points from 12 games.
Edmilson Correia (5’, 12’) scored an early brace to put the hosts 2-0 up in the game. However, the Highlanders were unfazed by the early setbacks. They quickly regained control of the game and made the ball talk.
At the 18-minute mark, Buanthanglun Samte and Macarton took the corner quickly and the latter pulled it back for Jithin. Jithin’s first shot was blocked while his rebound shot fell in the path of Guillermo, who controlled it and tapped the ball into the back of the net.
Throughout the first 45, Juan Pedro Benali’s men created numerous chances to restore parity but were unlucky not to find the back of the net and trailed 2-1 at half-time.
At the break, the gaffer shuffled the pack and brought on Redeem Tlang for Dinesh Singh, marking a tactical switch. Mohammed Ali Bemammer, Asheer Akhtar and captain Michel Zabaco formed a back three in possession and Redeem and Samte pushed higher up. The change paid rich dividends.
Samte, who has created the most chances for a defender, but in another cross from the left, which was only cleared into the path of Macarton by Hyderabad FC. The midfielder took a shot from outside the box that deflected off Lenny Rodrigues and ended up in the back of the net to restore parity at the 54-minute mark.
Seven minutes later, Alaaeddine launched another attack on Hyderabad’s goal but his blocked shot fell into the path of Guillermo, who found the bottom corner with a sublime finish to turn the game around.
Ajaraie is the leading goal contributor of the ISL so far and ended his mini goal drought with a goal of the highest quality. Mohammed Ali Bemammer floated a ball over the top of Hyderabad’s backline and Ajaraie timed his run to perfection to head the ball over rushing Karanjit Singh. The goal put him on level terms with Bartholomew Ogbeche (12 goals) for the most goals scored for NorthEast United FC in a single season.
The Highlanders rounded off the scoring with Ali Bemammer pulling the strings. He found Parthib with another ball over the top and Parthib’s shot went in off Alex Saji.
Before the match, Ajaraie won the ISL Player of the Month – November award. In doing so, he became the only player in the history of the ISL to win three consecutive Player of the Month awards, having won the trophy for September and October as well.
NorthEast United FC end 2024 with another away trip against Mumbai City FC on December 30.
( Photo Courtesy: Northeast United FC)
