Season finale delight: NEUFC finish ISL campaign strong with 2-0 win; Mohammedan relegated after dismal run

It was not an occasion like the one in Kolkata a year ago when NorthEast United clinched the Durand Cup in a penalty shoot-out against the mighty Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

Yet, head coach Juan Pedro Benali performed the same celebratory routine as Dinesh Singh Soraisham’s back heel at goalmouth just before the break earned the highlanders their second goal against Mohammedan Sporting Club in Guwahati on Tuesday.

With both their goals came in the first half – the first through a glancing header from Jairo Samperio to another corner kick in the 19th minute – the 2-0 victory at the Indira Gandhi Stadium made sure that the Highlanders could end their otherwise forgettable Indian Super League season on a high.

The victory took them a rung higher to the ninth spot as they ended the campaign with 16 points from 13 matches.

It was, however, a heartbreak for wooden spooners Mohammedan as they completed their ISL sojourn without any win and with just three points from their 13 games, having also become the first team to be relegated from the ISL.

Earlier, the hosts took the lead in the 19th minute following sustained pressure around the Mohammedan box. Jithin delivered an inswinging corner towards the near post, and Jairo got there first, directing a header across goal and into the far corner, leaving Nikhil Deka with no chance.

Adison remained a threat for the visitors and nearly responded in the 26th minute after being released by an excellent through ball. But he kept lacking the finishing touch to find that elusive equaliser.

However, it was NEUFC who capitalised from a set-piece in the second minute of added time through a well-worked short-corner routine. Gaitan laid the ball off for Dinesh, whose touch took a deflection before finding the back of the net.