Early onslaught enables 10-man NorthEast United FC to take three points at the home of Punjab FC

New Delhi: NorthEast United FC scored a terrific 2-1 victory against Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi as an early burst by their frontline paved the way for the Highlanders to grab three points from this encounter in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 tonight. Reduced to 10 men due to the sending off of Dinesh Singh in the added time of first half, NorthEast United FC held their defensive line together to sail through the second essay of the game comfortably.

The floodgates for the initial onslaught were laid by the industrious attacking unit of the Highlanders, who took constructive efforts towards stretching the opposition’s backline. Star striker Alaaeddine Ajaraie took the onus upon him to assume a free-flowing role and took the ball deep on the left flank, surging ahead and delivering a decisive cross inside the 18-yard box. Whilst the ball landed in the overcrowded penalty area, Guillermo Fernández reached the right spot at the right time to tap the pass in and secure the advantage for the Highlanders in the 15th minute.

This goal flooded the Highlanders’ setup with plenty of confidence and they began exploring their goal-scoring opportunities with greater focus and vigour. Three minutes later, the duo of Buanthanglun Samte and Néstor Albiach joined hands to net the second strike of the evening.

In a somewhat similar template as the first goal, Samte marched ahead on the inside channel of the left flank and lobbed in a perfectly weighted pass for Nestor who was at the centre of the 18-yard box. The attacker met the ball appropriately, volleying the strike into the top left corner to double his side’s lead and get them a considerable few steps ahead in the contest.