Published on Sept 29
Kolkata: NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) played out a 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan SG at the Mohun Bagan AC Ground in their second group-stage game of the IFA Shield. Lee Harry Erwin scored for Mohun Bagan in the 49th minute, before Ethyan Jesús González Morales equalised for the Highlanders in the 71st minute.
The first half became a test of patience. Mohun Bagan pushed forward, searching for an opening, but the Highlanders' defensive structure repeatedly stood in their way. Chance after chance was dealt with, and when the half-time whistle arrived, neither side had managed to break through.
The game changed almost immediately after the restart.
Four minutes into the second half, Lee Harry Erwin finally found the breakthrough for Mohun Bagan, putting the hosts 1-0 ahead. The Highlanders now had a different problem to solve. They had defended well, but they needed a response.
That response came in the 71st minute, and it came almost instantly.
Benali made a triple change, bringing on Alaaeddine Ajaraie, Ethyan and Maya. Ethyan had barely stepped onto the pitch when the opportunity arrived. Dinesh Singh launched a long ball forward, Aman CK, making his debut for NorthEast United, rose to meet it and headed the ball into the path of Ethyan. The Spanish striker did the rest.
With Vishal Kaith advancing, Ethyan kept his composure and sent the ball beyond the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper to make it 1-1. But the equaliser did not tell the whole story of the afternoon.
Just a minute earlier, Mohun Bagan had been awarded a penalty. With the Highlanders staring at the possibility of going two goals behind, Dipesh Chauhan stepped up. He read the attempt perfectly and produced a huge save from the spot, keeping NorthEast United alive. The 1-1 draw leaves the Highlanders unbeaten in the group stage. After opening the campaign with a win over Sreenidi Deccan FC, NorthEast United have already secured their place in the knockout rounds of the IFA Shield.
The Highlanders’ semi-final opponent will be decided after tomorrow’s group-stage fixture between East Bengal FC and RG Punjab, with the result determining who stands between NorthEast United and a place in the IFA Shield final.
PHOTO CAPTION: Action from the match. (Courtesy NEUFC)