Ogbeche’s late strike takes NorthEast to third spot
(Courtesy : ISL Media)
CK Vineeth and Halicharan Narzary made their debuts for Chennai after moving from Kerala Blasters.
NorthEast United edged past Chennaiyin FC 1-0 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati.
The Highlanders were wasteful upfront but a late strike by Bartholomew Ogbeche helped the home side pick three points which propelled them to the third position as they inflicted a tenth defeat of the season on Chennaiyin FC.
NorthEast started with the prolific duo of Ogbeche and Federico Gallego upfront while Chennaiyin FC opted to hand a start to only four foreign players. C.K. Vineeth and Halicharan Narzary, who have joined Chennaiyin on loan from Kerala Blasters, made it into the starting XI.
It was the visitors who started better and could have taken the lead in the eighth minute as Raphael Augusto danced his way into the opposition box. However, his final shot was weak and off target. Thereafter, it was a case of one way traffic with the hosts seeing a lot of the ball. Gallego’s short corner found Lalthathanga Khawlhring who sent the ball back for the Uruguayan.
The NorthEast United striker, in ample space inside the box, dropped his shoulder but his angled effort went over the bar. Just before the half hour mark, Gallego’s corner was punched clear by Karanjit Singh. Khawlhring’s cross into the box found Rowllin Borges whose header lacked power and direction as another chance went begging.
In the 37th minute, Ogbeche and Borges combined with the latter laying it for Redeem Tlang but the 23-year-old’s effort blazed over, much to the disappointment of coach Eelco Schattorie.
View this post on Instagram
After the break, NorthEast had a half chance when Reagan Singh’s cross from the right found Ogbeche whose first touch was a tad too heavy. Borges picked up the pieces inside the box but his short was wayward to say the least.
The Highlanders had a couple of free-kicks around the hour mark. Gallego’s angled low shot was kept out by Laldinliana Renthlei. This was soon followed by another opportunity when Gallego tried to chip the ball but his shot missed the target.
ALSO READ
-
Indian Women earn second straight victory against Hong Kong
-
We matched our opponents every minute in AFC Asian Cup- Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
-
Kolkata Derby Preview: Mohun Bagan lock horns with East Bengal in battle of pride
NorthEast were unlucky to not have taken the lead when Tondonba Singh made a goal-line clearance from a Tlang effort after Karanjit didn’t clear the ball well from a corner.
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]From the ensuring corner, Borges’s header was collected only on the second attempt by a shaky Karanjit. However, it was Karanjit who made a point blank save in the 81st minute to deny Ogbeche whose header was on its way in from a corner.
The breakthrough finally came in the 87th minute as Ogbeche’s wonder-shot found the back of the net. The Nigerian’s left footed strike from around 30 yards nestled into the net giving no chance to Karanjit whatsoever.
- I-League: List of all winners
- Indian football team: List of all kit sponsors in history
- Indian Sports Calendar December 2024: World Tour Finals, BGT, Hockey India League, World Chess Championship and more events to watch
- Manchester United injury news for Arsenal clash; Lisandro Martinez suspended, Bruno Fernandes doubtful for Premier Legaue Gameweek 14
- Three ways Jose Molina's Mohun Bagan can line up without Subhasish Bose against Northeast United FC
- Three ways Jose Molina's Mohun Bagan can line up without Subhasish Bose against Northeast United FC
- FC Goa's Manolo Marquez highlights 'importance of consistency' ahead his 100th ISL game
- Can Albino Gomes carry the legacy left behind by Subrata Paul and Rehenesh TP in ISL?
- Gerard Zaragoza laments 'set piece' woes following loss to Odisha FC in ISL
- ISL 2024-25: Full fixtures, schedule, results, standings & more