NorthEast United complete double over Atletico de Kolkata with 1-0 win

Simao Sabrosa’s early goal from the spot sealed the win for the visitors (Image Source: ISL)

Simao Sabrosa was once again the difference for NorthEast United as the Portuguese international’s early goal from the penalty spot was the difference between the sides as the Highlanders completed a double over Habas’ men in the ISL 2015.

Line-ups

Atletico de Kolkata XI: Tiri, Hume, Gavilan, Borja, Denzil, Amrinder, Jewel, Doutie, Nato, Augustin, Rafique

NorthEast United XI: Velez, Hanghal, Simao, Herrero, Silas, Bikey, Lopez, Khongjee, Reagan, Raju, Rehenesh

Atletico de Kolkata kept possession in the opening minutes of the game, with Gavilan and Doutie trying to make things happen for the home side, but it didn’t take too long for NorthEast United to take the lead at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Simao Sabrosa scored in the 8th minute from the penalty spot, after Carlos Lopez was brought down inside Atletico de Kolkata’s penalty box by Ofentse Nato. Television replays showed there was not much contact between Nato and Lopez, and it looked like a harsh decision so early in the game.

Atletico de Kolkata tried to respond quickly with Rafique’s low cross from the right flank falling just short of Doutie, but Delhi Dynamos goalkeeper Rehenesh did well to come out and collect it. Minutes later, Siam Hanghal tried his luck from long distance, with his shot being way off target, but his team failed to create anything from the resulting corner.

NorthEast United looked more confident on the ball after their early goal, with Hanghal finding a lot of space to operate in the opening minutes of the game. With Atletico de Kolkata players finding it difficult to break into NorthEast United penalty box, Spaniard Jamie Gavilan, who has been exceptional for Atletico de Kolkata so far in the tournament, had a shot just off target from long distance in the 18th minute.

Carlos Lopez saw the first yellow card of the night after he brought down Iain Hume outside the penalty box, with Jamie Gavilan’s resulting free-kick forced a save from Rehenesh. Khongjee was very lucky in the 24th minute after he fouled Doutie, who looked through on goal, but the linesman came to his rescue calling Doutie offside.

Velez had the chance to double NorthEast United’s lead in the 28th minute after he was released by Bruno, but his shot was off target as he opted for too much power on the shot. It again looked like NorthEast United had doubled the lead in the 33rd minute with Velez scoring off Simao’s pass, but he was flagged offside by the linesman.

Rafique, who had a good first half on his return, did well on the right to beat Raju, but Iain Hume headed his cross just over the crossbar in the 38th minute. He didn’t stop there, Rafique had a header inside the penalty box in the 41st minute from a Denzil Franco, but Rehenesh did well to save it.

Just before the break, Velez was through on goal after Tiri mistimed his challenge on him, but instead of shooting he passed it back to Bruno inside the penalty box, and Denzil Franco was there to rescue Atletico de Kolkata.

Jamie Gavilan tried his luck from distance in the stoppage time with the ball falling awkwardly in front of Rehenesh, but he did well to force it out for a corner. The scoreline remained 1-0 at the break with not much difference between both the sides on the pitch, but NorthEast United did well to take the lead early on in the game.

Atletico de Kolkata made a double change at half-time with Arnab Mondal coming in for Jewel Raja, and Valdo coming in for Ofentse Nato. Few minutes later, Rehenesh almost paid the price of a poor goalkeeping error as he came out to clear Doutie’s corner, but it went directly to Arnab Mondal, and his header was just over the crossbar.

In the 51st minute, Bruno tried his luck from the halfway line after he saw Amrinder Singh way off his line, but his shot was well wide of the target. Velez had a brilliant chance to double the lead again for his side from a sublime pass off Silas, but Velez’s first touch was poor inside Atletico de Kolkata’s penalty box, and Amrinder came out to collect it.

Minutes later, Bruno setup Velez, who tried to curl it into the far post, but his effort was just off target. NorthEast United looked like the better team in the opening minutes of the second half with Bruno and Velez doing well for the away side.

It looked like Velez had no luck in front of the goal today, Bruno’s pass saw Velez with a shooting opportunity inside Atletico de Kolkata’s penalty box in the 61st minute, but his low shot was just off target.

Atletico de Kolkata’s first real chance of the second half came through Rafique’s low cross in the 66th minute, but Bikey made a brilliant clearance before Iain Hume was just about to put the ball in the back of the net from close range.

Atletico de Kolkata failed to create any clear-cut chances, but kept pushing forward in the second half of the game with Gavilan and Valdo doing most of the work for the home side. Bruno, who looked tired after an impressive show tonight, received the second booking of the game after he brought down Doutie, and was substituted a minute later by Cesar Farias.

Silas was the third player from NorthEast United to receive a yellow card in the 83rd minute after he fouled Iain Hume. Atletico de Kolkata kept trying in the dying minutes of the game, but failed to create any clear-cut chances throughout the game against a NorthEast United defense that looked very organised. NorthEast United had the better chances throughout the game, and did well to earn the three points at the home of the defending champions.