ISL 2015: Norde's dramatic winner gives Mumbai first away win in their history
Three late goals provided the fans at the Salt Lake Stadium with an enthralling end to the match between Atletico de Kolkata and Mumbai City FC on Friday. Norde's strike in the 94th minute ensured a 3-2 win for the visitors as they signed off from the second edition of the ISL in style.
Despite having confirmed their place in the semis, Kolkata manager Antonio Habas opted not to rest the likes of Iain Hume, Sameehg Doutie and Borja Fernandes. On the other hand, Mumbai made five changes to the line-up they used against Chennaiyin.
Doutie missed an early chance to put the home side into the lead when Iain Hume picked him out inside the box from a free-kick on the right wing. Doutie missed his kick completely in front of the goal as Mumbai were able to clear away the danger.
In the 7th minute, Mumbai playmaker Selim Benachour set Sunil Chhetri through on goal with a lovely through ball. However, Juan Calatayud, who replaced Amrinder Singh in the Kolkata goal, pulled a good save to keep out the Indian skipper's left-footed drive.
In the 16th minute, Sameehg Doutie wasted another golden opportunity for Kolkata. The South African controlled a long pass from the back with a brilliant first touch, but instead of picking out Hume, who was standing unmarked in front of the goal, Doutie selfishly went for the glory himself and badly miscued his shot.
Just nine minutes later, Mumbai took the lead, when Benachour, who was pulling the strings for the visitors in the final third, played a lovely reverse pass to pick out Sony Norde inside the box. The Haitian international found the far corner of the net with a low, and crisp, strike.
Kolkata's defenders were hoping for the off-side flag to be raised by the linesman, but the replay showed that left back Nallappan Mohanraj played him onside.
Sunil Chhetri missed a gilt-edged opportunity to double Mumbai's lead in the 40th minute, which was created by the brilliance of a deft back heel flick from Benachour at the edge of the box. The ball went over the top of the Kolkata defence and Chhetri had just the goalkeeper to beat. But the Indian striker scuffed his shot wide, much to the bemusement of Nicolas Anelka on the bench.
The miss gathered even bigger importance as Kolkata equalized with the final whistle of the first half. Mohammed Rafique was brought down inside the box by Mumbai midfielder Pratesh Shirodksts they fought to control a bouncing ball. Iain Hume stepped up to take the resultant penalty and almost inevitably scored his 10th goal of the season.
In the 74th minute, Kolkata defender Tiri brought down Juan Aguilera inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Sunil Chhetri stepped up and converted from the penalty to score his seventh goal of the season.
Strangely though, neither Chhetri, nor Nicolas Anelka, showed any emotion after scoring that goal, as he walked away almost apologetically.
However, Arata Izumi stepped up and scored a dramatic late equalizer in the 89th minute. Kolkata forward Dejan Lekic flicked on a long ball from the back and set Izumi through on goal, and the Indian international made no mistake in finding the back of the net. Kolkata did not give up, like true champions, and denied Mumbai a historic win.
But, the match was not yet over. In a thrilling end, Norde scored a winner in the last minute of added time. Benachour, once again, set Norde free on the left wing and the Haitian's low strike deflected in off the near post, leaving Calatayud stranded with disbelief.
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