Highlanders win, move to 4th spot

Margao, Feb 23: NorthEast United inched closer to a play-off berth with a 2-1 win over 10-man SC East Bengal in an Indian Super League match at the Fatorda Stadium here on Tuesday.
Suhair Vadakkepeedika’s (48th) strike and an own goal from Sarthak Golui (55th) put NorthEast United ahead before SC East Bengal pulled one back in the 87th minute.
The win took Khalid Jamil’s side back into the top four.
They now have 30 points from 19 matches, level on points with FC Goa in third.
NorthEast United now need just a point from their final league match against Kerala Blasters to qualify for the play-offs.
NorthEast made one change as Nim Dorjee came in for Ashutosh Mehta.
East Bengal made eight changes to their side which lost to ATK Mohun Bagan as only Matti Steinmann, Sarthak Golui and Raju Gaikwad were retained in the playing XI.
Despite not having regulars, SCEB made life difficult for NorthEast. The Highlanders had a few half-chances but East Bengal contained them well.
Mirshad Michu made an early save to deny Deshorn Brown from close when he toe-poked a Luis Machado pass from inside the box.
Michu was forced into yet another save when Suhair tried a shot from a distance. The rebound travelled to Machado, whose attempt was fruitless. Later, Machado and Brown combined from a set-piece but the Jamaican was unable to trouble Michu.
SCEB’s Jeje Lalpekhlua had a good chance in the 35th minute but his header went wide.
With no clear-cut chances for either side and the match was mostly restricted to the midfield, the teams went in level at the break.
It was a different NorthEast side in the second session. They took the lead from their first chance of the half. The Highlanders intensified their attacks after taking the lead and it didn’t take long to get their second.
But this time it was an own-goal that doubled their lead.
Things went from bad to worse for the Kolkata team who had to play the last 20 minutes with a man less.
With less than five minutes on the clock, Sarthak redeemed himself with a fine goal. Surchandra Singh delivered the freekick right into the middle that Sarthak nodded in. (PTI)