NorthEast United FC made good changes in the second half to beat SC East Bengal 2-0 in an Indian Super League match at Fatorda on Friday.
VP Suhair and Patrick Floatman produced strikes for North East United, which looked to be a very average side in the first half.
The opening half saw listless exchanges in the midfield.
NorthEast suffered a setback just before losing due to injury to Hernán Santana. The Spanish midfielder hurt himself during the warm-up process, forcing the Highlanders to field only three foreigners on a fresh start-list. East Bengal also lost their Croatian defender Franzo Prase, who twisted his ankle and stopped midway through the match.
The second half completely changed the tone of the game as NorthEast United arrived with a fresh resolve and scored two quick goals around the hour mark.
VP Suhair found the target in the 61st minute as NorthEast ramped up their attack with a regular infiltration into the East Bengal box. Suhair showed perfect knack for the target as he collected a cross from Mapuia, got the better of East Bengal defender Amir Dervesevic and finished with a powerful punch.
The Highlanders doubled the lead in the 68th minute when their Australian defender Patrick Floatman nodded a floater from Imran Khan after a free kick.
East Bengal were down to 10 men in extra time when Antonio Perosevic got a red card to vent his frustration with a body charge on the referee.
result: North East United FC 2 (Suhair 61, Floatman 68) BT SC East Bengal 0,
Today’s matches:
Chennaiyin FC vs Odisha FC, 7.30 PM
Goa FC vs Hyderabad FC, 9.30 pm,
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