Juric stars in NEUFC’s win over East Bengal

KOLKATA: It was a dream debut for the Highlanders’ new man from Down Under.
Having scripted a fairytale first goal after being in NorthEast United FC colours on the pitch for just four minutes, Tomi Juric went on to score the goal of the match in the 66th minute as he curled in a splendour into the East Bengal net to take the tie further away from the visitors to the delight of the home supporters at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday.
In between Juric’s strikes, Nestor Albiach (15’) guided in a Redeem Tlang cross into the goal as the Highlanders made a leap two rungs to the sixth and final playoff spot on the Indian Super League table with a 3-2 win over Super Cup champions, who kept two-thirds of possession but failed to make it count despite sporadic bursts — two of which were utilised by the seasoned Nandhkumar Sekar (53’) and debutant Felicio Brown Forbes (87’) for East Bengal’s fightback against the hosts.
The defeat means that the Super Cup champions continue their winless form in the league and languish on the eighth spot in ISL standings, having won just two games this season and accumulating 12 points in as many matches.
However, Juan Pedro Benali’s men showed their resolve to change their winless fate from the word go and displayed their attacking mindset to put the red-and-gold defence in trouble. Jithin MS on the left flank was outstanding with his pace and determination.
Carlos Cuadrat’s men, meanwhile, failed to get into the game early on and it was a lack of communication between youngster Sayan Banerjee and Mohammad Rakip in the fourth minute that led to an alert Jithin pouncing on the ball and making a run down the left wing. His cross into the box reached Albiach who chose to pass it to the debutant Australian and Juric made no mistake in guiding it into the bottom right with a light first touch.
NEUFC were in no mood to let go of the momentum even as East Bengal tried to recover from the early blow and regroup. This time it was a run from Tlang up the right flank that rattled the East Bengal defence. He sent in a perfect through to Nestor lurking inside the box and the Spaniard managed to beat his marker and roll it past goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill in the 15th minute.
East Bengal’s frustration and utter disbelief at the scoreline was evident as captain Cleiton Silva got himself an unnecessary yellow card five minutes later.
But Cuadrat’s advice from the touchline to get themselves together finally began to make an effect as the Kolkata giants began to get into the match. Lalchungnunga combined with Silva to create a chance in the 35th minute but it proved to be an easy save for NEUFC custodian Mirshad Michu.
The NEUFC backline, too, maintained their shape as Silva, Sayan and Naorem Mahesh Singh laced in attacks that were dealt with by them as the scoreline stayed unchanged on 2-0 at half-time.
East Bengal, however, took seven minutes after the change of ends to find the first equaliser as Nandhakumar made a clever run inside the box from a Silva cross and his first-time shot hit the onrushing Mirshad and went into the back of the net for their first goal.
The goal made NEUFC nervous but in a good way as they got into the attack mode again in a bid to enhance the lead. It was Juric who got it for them as he chested down a Jithin cross on the left of the box, turned and sent in a curler that almost took a 45 degree turn into the right corner of the goal.
East Bengal brought in new recruit Victor Vazquez to the delight of the travelling fans and got another goal in the 82nd minute as Costa Rican Forbes was at the right place to head in rebound after a goalline save, but were unable to bring home a point as NEUFC strengthened their position at a playoff contender.