ISL 2016: NorthEast United FC edge Pune city

New Delhi: NorthEast United FC breathed new life into their dying Hero Indian Super League campaign with a dramatic 1-0 victory over FC Pune City at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday.

The hosts had gone six matches without a win, losing four of them. With just two points from six matches they were on the verge of making an exit until Ivory Coast midfielder Romaric scored from a stunning free-kick in the 81st minute to leave FC Pune City’s campaign in tatters.

The victory helped NorthEast United reach 14 points from 11 matches and move to sixth in the league. With three matches still to be played and the jinx finally broken, coach Nelo Vingada will feel more confident. Pune City on the other hand have 15 points from 12 matches and will have to win their next two games to be assured of a place in the play-offs.

The NorthEast-Pune battle was a cagey affair particularly in the first session where neither team enjoyed clear cut chances. Pune’s Momar Ndoye was the only player who provided some entertainment when he danced his way on the left but could not beat goalkeeper Subrata Paul from a narrow angle.

Midfielder Jonatan Lucca also missed a good chance from just outside the box when the ball fell for him nicely but his shot was wayward with his left-foot. NorthEast United got the match winner out of nowhere in the 81st minute. The hosts won a free-kick just outside the box and Romaric stepped up to take it. The Ivory Cost midfielder used his left foot to devastating effect as his curling free-kick found the top corner of the net, past a diving Edel Bete.