So, that is it from this game. NorthEast United FC register their first win of this year's ISL and go top of the table. ATK on the other hand, are still searching for their first as they have lost both their games and are rock bottom on the table. ISL action continues on Friday as Kerala Blasters FC lock horns with Mumbai City FC in the former's den at 1930 IST. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Awards!
The Club Award goes to NorthEast United FC as they're the winners of this game. Rowllin Borges is the Limitless Player of the Match for his winning goal. Federico Gallego wins the Winning Pass of the match for his assist. TP Rehenesh is the Emerging Player of the match with John Johnson declared the Hero of the Match.
NorthEast United FC take all three points!
Rowllin Borges' goal is the difference and they finally break their 7-game win-less streak away from home. Perhaps it could have been a different story had it not been for the red card to Sena Ralte in the first half. Despite that, ATK showed great character. They defended their hearts out, also created a chance or two of their own but just could not score. To add to that, they even had more shots than their opposition (4-1) but none found the net. It was that sort of an evening for them. They would have also been content with a draw and at one time it did seem it would end as a stalemate. However, a goal in the dying minutes by Rowllin Borges through a corner sealed the deal for the visitors.
90'
Full time!
Peep, peep, peep, there goes the final whistle and the final score is ATK 0 - 1 NorthEast United FC.
90'
On target!
Probably the final chance of the game! Kalu Uche chips in a ball towards the far post where John Johnson gets his head to it. He does head it on goal but it is a loopy effort and it is easily collected by TP Rehenesh.
90'
Into added time!
4 minutes have been added to the 90. ATK have around 240 seconds to equalize.
ATK's resilience has been broken! That has to be the winner with only a minute and added time to go. Heartbreaking for the hosts, they have defended so well throughout but concede of a set-piece. A corner from the right by Federico Gallego picks out Rowllin Borges, who jumps the highest and heads it right into the bottom left corner to give NorthEast United FC the lead.
89'
Goal
Goal - NorthEast United FC : Rowllin Borges
82'
Excellent clearance!
By John Johnson. It would have been a tap in for Reagan Singh. Federico Gallego from the right, hits it across goal. It was going towards Gallego who might have been getting ready to tap into a open goal but John slides in at the last moment and hits it out.
81'
Substitution
Substitution - NorthEast United FC (In: L'hathanga Khawlhring, Out: L'hathanga Khawlhring)
80'
10 minutes to go!
Still 0-0 at the moment but we still have 10 minutes and added time to go. Will we find a goal?
78'
On target!
But a little too close to the keeper! Ricky Lallawmawma has a shot from 30 yards out but it is collected by TP Rehenesh.
77'
Attacking change!
By ATK as Kalu Uche comes on for Manuel Lanzarote. A forward for a mid fielder.
Augustine Okrah takes a shot from a little outside the box but he does not meet it well and it goes well wide of goal.
74'
On the defensive!
Are ATK, they almost have everybody behind and understandably. The question here is, why is NorthEast United FC not attacking with more players? Like now, there was a cross delivered into the box but there was only a player attacking it. He was against 5 defenders and there was going to be only one winner out there. They need to get some more men ahead.
68'
Just wide!
I did mention that ATK need to take the chances that come their way and they needed to take this. John Johnson himself is disappointed as he knows it was a golden opportunity. Manuel Lanzarote curls it in towards Johnson. He outjumps the defender in front of him and tries to direct it towards the far post but it is just wide. However, the ref had blown for a foul so even if it would have gone in, it would not have counted.
68'
Another change!
NorthEast United FC make their second substitution as Provat Lakra comes in for Robert Lalthlamuana. A defender for a defender, not sure why. Also this is Provat's debut in the ISL.
67'
Substitution
Substitution - NorthEast United FC (In: Provat Lakra, Out: Robert Lalthlamuana)
65'
Very compact!
Are the ATK defense, despite being a man down and most of the game being played in their half, they are somehow managing to keep NorthEast United FC out. Not only that, NorthEast United FC are struggling to create a clear opening.
62'
First change!
For NorthEast United FC as Augustine Okrah comes in and Jose Leudo goes out. Fresh legs brought in to inject some pace.
61'
Substitution
Substitution - NorthEast United FC (In: Augustine Okrah, Out: Augustine Okrah)
60'
Final ball missing!
Again Reagan Singh makes a good run down the right, he drills in a low cross but it is cleared away.
55'
Another card!
John Johnson tackles Nikhil Kadam and the latter is on the ground. The former is shown a yellow card.
54'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - ATK : John Johnson
52'
Save!
ATK almost took the lead against the run of play! El Maimouni Noussair puts in a long ball towards the NorthEast United FC D line. Everton Santos gets his head to it and flicks it into the box. Manuel Lanzarote gets to it with a slide and tries to poke it in but TP Rehenesh makes a good save and the ball goes out for a corner.
50'
NorthEast United FC on the charge!
So as expected the 11 men are dominating the 10. However, no clear openings yet but NorthEast United FC are looking threatening.
46'
Second half!
The ref blows the whistle and we are underway for the final 45.
Half time!
The ref blows the whistle and the players head towards the tunnel. It is 0-0 at half time but you would say, advantage NorthEast United FC in the second 45. They have a huge chance to end their win-less streak of 7 matches, away from home. The first half was going smoothly, both the defenses were resolute and there were hardly any clear chances but a moment of madness from Sena Ralte saw ATK going down to 10 men. They have another half to go and what NorthEast United FC will look to do is tire them out and then get what could be the decisive goal of the game. ATK on the other hand, will be a lot more defensive, will have to do a lot more running and have to take any chance that comes towards them. What do we have in store for the second half? Join us to find out.
45'
Added time!
2 minutes have been added to the first half!
45'
FOUL!
ATK have a good chance here! Manuel Lanzarote goes past Mato Grgic but the defender brings him down by tugging his shirt. A free kick from just outside the box. Lanzarote himself steps up to take it and he strikes it well, it is on target but TP Rehenesh moves quickly to his right and punches it out.
43'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - NorthEast United FC : Mato Grgic
40'
5 minutes to go!
For the end of the first half! Will we see the deadlock broken? If we do, NorthEast United FC are the favourites as they are a man more.
37'
Jayesh Rane has been substituted and Ricky Lallawmawma comes in for him. A defender for a midfielder. Had to happen after a defender was sent off.
And Sena Ralte is off! ATK are down to ten men. This could probably be a game-changing moment as there is still a long way to go. How poor was that from the defender? He was already on a yellow and then once again going for a tackle by showing your studs is just foolishness. He catches Nikhil Kadam on the shin and the ref feels that is worthy of a second yellow.
32'
Second Yellow Card
Second Yellow Card - ATK : L'aihsanga Ralte
25'
No shots on target as of now!
Quarter of the match has passed by but we are yet to have a shot on target. Seems like it is that kind of a game today or maybe one goal will open things a little.
22'
No real openings yet!
The defense of both the teams is quite resolute as the game is yet to see a clear-cut chance.
20'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - NorthEast United FC : Jose Leudo
19'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - ATK : L'aihsanga Ralte
18'
Just outside the box!
Redeem Tlang is brought down just outside the box on the right. He gets ahead of Sena Ralte who then pulls him down. It is quite close to being a penalty but the ref feels it is outside the box. Free kick awarded from a good position though. The delivery is also a good one towards the far post, Bartholomew Ogbeche rises high but heads it over the goal post.
15'
OUCH!
A 50-50 ball and Sena Ralte and Federico Gallego go for it. The latter comes out the worse as Ralte catches him on the followthrough. Free kick awarded and they take it quickly as they pass it towards Redeem Tlang. He makes a run down the right and then fires a cross but it is too close to the keeper and it has been punched out of danger.
9'
Early card!
A yellow to Pronay Halder as he puts in a sliding tackle on Federico Gallego. He gets more of the player than the ball and the ref shows him the card as early as the 9th minute. Not going to tolerate any nonsense, this ref.
9'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - ATK : Pronay Halder
5'
A swing of an arm there!
it has gone unnoticed though. A corner for ATK has been cleared out but Gerson Vieira gets too close to the keeper in an attempt to win the header. TP Rehenesh may not have liked it as he swings his hand but no contact made. Vieira however, is not happy and rightly so.
3'
Blocked!
Nikhil Kadam drills in a good cross towards Redeem Tlang who shows excellent skill to guide it towards Federico Gallego. He takes a touch and then tries to fire it on goal but it has been blocked by Gerson Vieira. It goes out for a corner but nothing comes from it.
1'
Let's Football!
The countdown is over and the ref blows the whistle, ATK pass the ball backwards and now look to move ahead.
TOSS
NorthEast United FC wins the toss and they will attack from left to right, whereas ATK will get us underway.
National Anthem!
The players are making their way out for the Indian National Anthem. We are not far away from kick off.
Arindam Bhattacharja (GK), Aiborlang Khongjee, Gerson Vieira, John Johnson, Everton Santos, El Maimouni Noussair, Manuel Lanzarote (C), Balwant Singh, Jayesh Rane, Pronay Halder, Sena Ralte.
Match 6 - ATK vs NorthEast United FC
Match number 6 of the 2018-19 Indian Super League will see ATK locking horns with NorthEast United FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata. The hosts of this game lost their first match of the season against Kerala Blasters FC where they got dominated. One thing which was notable was their lacklustre frontline as they failed to convert a few chances. Still, it's early days in the tournament and they need to get clinical on both ends of the pitch. NorthEast United will be thrilled after gaining a point against a tough opposition in FC Goa. Fielding a revamped unit, the Highlanders put forward their best game and looked quite decent both with their defense and offence. There were loopholes in their gameplay also which the new manager Eelco Schattorie would have pointed out. Let's see how they fare this evening.