In an electrifying opening match of the 2023-24 Indian Super League (ISL) season, Mumbai City FC secured a thrilling 2-1 victory against NorthEast United FC at Guwahati's Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium on Sunday. Sportstar reported that the Islanders displayed exceptional teamwork and resilience to commence their campaign with all three points.
Home Team Strikes First
The home crowd was treated to an early delight as Parthib Gogoi of NorthEast United FC netted the first goal in the 32nd minute. Gogoi's precise finish was sandwiched between two swift strikes by Argentine sensation Jorge Pereyra Diaz in the 26th and 38th minutes, setting the tone for an intense contest. Under the tactical guidance of their manager, Des Buckingham, Mumbai City FC wasted no time in asserting their attacking prowess. Their frontline, led by Bipin Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte, functioned seamlessly from the first whistle, setting up a brilliantly coordinated offensive play that resulted in Diaz's first goal.
NorthEast's Spirited Response
NorthEast United FC responded vigorously to the early setback, progressively increasing their pressure in pursuit of an equalizer. Asheer Akhtar's remarkable clearance from the backline initiated a dynamic attack, ultimately leading to Gogoi's long-range stunner that caught Mumbai's goalkeeper, Mohammad Nawaz, off guard. Mumbai City FC remained eager to regain the lead, with Chhangte and Diaz continuing to be pivotal figures. In the 38th minute, Diaz found the back of the net for the second time, thanks to a well-timed cross from Mehtab Singh following a clever pass by Yoell van Nieff.
Mumbai's Cautious Approach
As the game progressed, Mumbai City FC adopted a more cautious approach to safeguard their lead. Their defense displayed remarkable composure, with Nawaz confidently collecting a challenging header from NorthEast's Manvir Singh. In the end, Mumbai City FC's resilience and attacking prowess proved to be the difference-maker. The Islanders managed to hold on to their hard-fought lead, clinching an emphatic victory in this fiercely competitive away fixture.
Seilenthang Lotjem's Addition
Meanwhile, the team recently announced the addition of Seilenthang Lotjem, a highly promising 19-year-old winger, to the team. Manipur's Lotjem has inked a three-year contract with the club, demonstrating Mumbai City's dedication to developing young talent. His football journey commenced at the age of 16 when he was brought on board by Sudeva Delhi FC in 2020. Lotjem's formative years were spent honing his skills at the prestigious JCT Academy in Punjab. Impressively, in a relatively short span of time, Lotjem ascended through the ranks and secured a coveted position in Sudeva Delhi's first team during the 2021-22 I-League season, where he made ten appearances and even notched a goal to his name.
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