ISL: NorthEast United play out 1-1 draw with Mumbai City FC

NorthEast United FC played out a 1-1 draw against Mumbay City FC in an inconsequential Hero Indian Super League match to end at the bottom position.

The home team missed some good opportunities after taking the 34th minute when Spanish striker Sergio Contreras Pardo (Koke) scored the first goal from the penalty spot. 

Mumbai striker Sushil Kumar Singh equalised in the 84th minute off a pass from Czech Republic's Jan Stohanzl with Swiss teammate Tiago Ribeiro initiating the move. 

Both NorthEast and Mumbai were out of contention for a semi-final spot before the match. 

Mumbai ended the tournament at seventh just above NorthEast with 16 points in the eight-team league table. NorthEast ended the tournament with 15 points.

NorthEast missed two golden chances in the 90th minute to the dismay of the packed home crowd at the India Gandhi Stadium in the last league match of the tournament.

The home team midfielder Boithang Haokip took a brilliant shot which was saved by Mumbai goalkeeper Subrata Paul. The ball went back to Portugese defender Miguel Angelo Moita Garcia, who passed it to his teammate Massamba Lo Sambou.

It was an open goal but Massamba slipped and failed to score a
sure goal. Coach Ricki Herbert was visibly furious at the sidelines. 

In the same minute, NorthEast's Isaac Chansa gave a lovely cross towards the far post and Massamba connected with a header but it was wide of the post. 

Mumbai dominated the second half and tried to take the lead but failed on many occasions. 

The match also saw a number of yellow cards given to the visiting team. Altogether four yellow cards were shown to Mumbai players Tiago Ribeiro, Pavel Cmovs, Deepak Mondal and Jan Stohanzl.

Image: Players of North East United FC and Mumbai City FC (in blue jersey) in action during their ISL match at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati.

Photo: PTI