Appiah's Goal leads North East to Victory Over 10-Men Mumbai City on Saturday at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa. After Rowlin Borges handed the ball inside the net, Kwesi Appiah scored the lone goal of the match from the penalty spot helping his team to a 1-0 win. Three significant points for Gerard Nus' young side. The red card changed the direction of the game in the first half as 10-men Mumbai struggled to put up a stand in the second half and in the second match of ISL 2020-21.
Despite midfielder Ahmed Jahouh getting sent off in the 43rd minute, Sergio Lobera's Mumbai dominated possession throughout the match. NorthEast had, however, filled their half intending to avoid losing, evidently being their focus. The second half saw Kwesi Appiah score the penalty spot's sole goal of the match to help the Highlanders gain three points.
With 19 new recruits and a Spanish coach of repute, Mumbai City FC is a rebuilt side but has never won the ISL trophy. Mumbai City hopes that under new coach Sergio Lobera, who led FC Goa to last season's inaugural ISL League Shield champions, there will be a shift in luck. When Sarthak got his head to a cross, Mumbai had a slight opportunity in the 65th minute, but his attempt soared over the post. The only time that NEUFC finished in the top half of the table was when they made it to the semi-finals in the 2018-19 season.
With the win, NEUFC has entered the ISL points table with a 3 pointer against Mumbai City FC. In their upcoming matches, NorthEast will aim to maintain the winning momentum. A winning start for NusGerard as head coach of NorthEast United FC.