NorthEast pip Pune 3-2

NorthEast United FC kept their hopes of qualifying to the playoffs stage of the Indian Super League alive after bagging a 3-2 victory in their final league game of the season this year in Guwahati.

With the win, the Cesar Farias's side have moved to the fourth spot in the points table and would now hope Pune City win their last league game against Chennaiyin FC for them to secure a semifinal spot.

Handing a start to Nico Velez proved wonders for Cesar Farias as the Argentine striker used the best of his goalpoaching abilities to give the home side the lead in the 4th minute of play. A nice pass by Victor Mendy reached Velez in time and the latter did not make any mistake driving it home. But even before the celebrations died down, Pune drew parity in the eighth minute.

Adrian Mutu pulled another goal back for Pune City with four minutes left on the clock but eventually ran out of time. The English midfielder curled the ball past Rehenesh, who managed to get a finger to the ball.

It was an eventful first half with NorthEast regaining their lead in the 18th minute from a quick counter-attack.

It was scrappy affair as neither side were able to keep the ball.

Atletico de Kolkata looked organised and always looked like the team more likely to score again. Just after the half hour mark, Shorey's free-kick from the right found Mutu whose flick missed the far post.

His shot soared towards the Pune goal and Bikey leapt high to head in his first goal of the season as the Highlanders went into the break leading 3-1. Govin Singh blocked Nicolas Velez's run and rightly booked for the same.

The Romanian did see finally his enormous work in the half bore fruit, as his curler from a free-kick in the 86th minute, found the back of the net.

What followed was excitement in patches as both teams had the opportunity to create chances. Not only Mutu, but also Lalrempuia Fanai and Yendrick Ruiz pulled the trigger on many occasions, but the shots never really remained on target. Ruiz made a meal out of a chance as instead of shooting straight, the Costa Rican chose to lob the ball over the keeper and his effort went wide.

NorthEast have finished their campaign with 20 points while Pune City have eliminated from the competition.

In the dying embersof the game, Diomansy Kamara was booked for simulation.

The Kolkata side had improved their home form after back to back wins against Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa, while FC Pune City have an abysmal record away from home, having failed to register a single away win this season.