In the Indian Super League 2024-25, Kolkata giants Mohammedan SC started their campaign with a dramatic defeat at their home ground, Kishore Bharati Stadium, against the newly crowned Durand Cup champions, Northeast United FC.
Andrey Chernyshov’s Black and White Army started their match with a shining performance. But in additional time, the Highlanders scored their opening goal of the ISL 2024-25 campaign and snatched three crucial points from debutants Mohammedan SC.
In front of a crowd of 4,936, who came to witness their glorious club take part in the ISL for the first time and begin a new remarkable chapter, full of emotion and tifos, Mohammedan started the match with an attacking force, creating several goal-bound movements. However, their opponents, Northeast United, also launched a few counterattacks.
In the 41st minute, from the right flank, Makhan Chothe delivered an inch-perfect cross to Remsanga, who attempted a header, but it went over the crossbar. It was a golden chance for Mohammedan SC. In the first half, Northeast United FC couldn’t test Mohammedan keeper Padam Chhetri much.
In the second half, in the 65th minute, Northeast United FC launched a quick attack from the left. Guillermo centered the ball inside the box, and Jithin MS took a volley but missed. In a counterattack in the 67th minute, from the right side of the box, Remsanga delivered a ground pass, but Manzoki couldn’t make contact with the ball, wasting a good scoring chance.
In the 82nd minute, from Remsanga’s pass, Alexis took a beautiful curling shot from the right towards the far post, but it couldn’t bring the opening goal for Mohammedan as the shot went wide. However, in additional time at the 90+4th minute, from a counterattack, Northeast United’s super sub Alaaeddine Ajaraie scored the opening and winning goal for the Highlanders. Amidst a scramble inside Mohammedan SC’s eighteen-yard box, he found the net, with Joseph Adjei trying to make a goal-line save, but Northeast ended their opening match with a victory.
Not the expected start for debutants Mohammedan, but a long season lies ahead. The match ended with dominant ball possession for Mohammedan, but with a 1-0 score in favour of the newly crowned Durand Cup champions, Northeast United FC, who fought until the final whistle.
From Mohammedan and Northeast United ISL 2024-25 FC’s opening fixtures on September 16, Jithin MS got the Player Of The Match award.
Match Highlights
Ket Stats Mohammedan SC vs NorthEast United FC
BALL POSSESSION: MSC 61%, NEUFC 39%
SHOTS: MSC 9, NEUFC 13
SHOTS ON TARGET: MSC 2, NEUFC 2
FOULS: MSC 13, NEUFC 17
YELLOW CARDS: MSC 3, NEUFC 3
CORNERS: MSC 3, NEUFC 4
OFFSIDES: MSC 1, NEUFC 0
