Guwahati: NorthEast United FC began their ISL 2026-27 campaign in dramatic fashion on Monday, beating Mohun Bagan Super Giant 1-0 at Guwahati's Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, with substitute Jithin M.S. scoring the winner deep in stoppage time.
Jithin, introduced at half-time in place of Asheer Akhtar, struck in the 90+2nd minute to seal three points for the Highlanders in their home opener.
Chaos in the box decides it
The decisive sequence came in added time: NorthEast's initial effort was saved by Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, the rebound came off the post and fell to Jithin, who converted to send the home crowd into celebration.
NorthEast goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh had earlier made crucial saves to keep his side level during spells of Mohun Bagan pressure. The visitors twice hit the woodwork — Lee Erwin's ninth-minute set-piece effort struck the post, and substitute Suhail Bhat's 87th-minute effort, from a Liston Colaco cross, also hit the frame.
NorthEast also had a would-be goal ruled out when Alaeddine Ajaraie's long-range effort was disallowed for offside, and threatened through Nikola in the 83rd minute, whose attempt went off target. Mohun Bagan were left frustrated after controlling phases of the game but finding no way through.
Sources: Indian Super League, myKhel
Jithin, introduced at half-time in place of Asheer Akhtar, struck in the 90+2nd minute to seal three points for the Highlanders in their home opener.
Chaos in the box decides it
The decisive sequence came in added time: NorthEast's initial effort was saved by Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, the rebound came off the post and fell to Jithin, who converted to send the home crowd into celebration.
NorthEast goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh had earlier made crucial saves to keep his side level during spells of Mohun Bagan pressure. The visitors twice hit the woodwork — Lee Erwin's ninth-minute set-piece effort struck the post, and substitute Suhail Bhat's 87th-minute effort, from a Liston Colaco cross, also hit the frame.
NorthEast also had a would-be goal ruled out when Alaeddine Ajaraie's long-range effort was disallowed for offside, and threatened through Nikola in the 83rd minute, whose attempt went off target. Mohun Bagan were left frustrated after controlling phases of the game but finding no way through.
Sources: Indian Super League, myKhel
