NEUFC keep semis hopes alive after defeating Delhi Dynamos
North East United FC have kept themselves in the race for semi-final spot after registering a 2-1 win over Delhi Dynamos FC in Guwahati. Seityasen Singh and Romaric scored a goal each in 60th and 71st minute for the hosts. With Delhi already in the last four, NEUFC are on fifth position in the table with 18 points.
Mumbai City FC entered Indian Super League semi-finals for the first time after defeating Chennaiyin FC 2-0 at their home stadium. They are the first team to qualify for the semis. Matias Defederico and Krisztian Vadocz's goals in 32nd and 60th minute helped the Mumbaikars book their berth in the semi-finals. Mumbai has one game remaining against Delhi Dynamos FC.
Brazil's Marcelo Pereira struck thrice for Delhi Dynamos FC as they crushed the visitors FC Goa 5-1. Delhi put themselves in a strong position to qualify in the final four with three points from this win. Marcelo scored in 38th, 48th and 56th minute and took his medal tally to eight, while Richard Gadze scored two for the home team.
FC Goa coach expressed his disappointment over the team's continuous poor performance in the 2016 edition of ISL. After the loss against Delhi, he said, "With already out of semi-finals contention, there was no motivation factor for the team to play."
Already into the semi-finals, Mumbai City FC is on top of the table with 22 points from 13 matches. Delhi are on the second place with 20 points and two more matches to go. Atletico de Kolkata and Kerala Blasters FC stand on the third and fourth place with 18 points each. Both teams have two games remaining.
Atletico de Kolkata and Kerala Blasters FC will be up against each other in the 51st match of 2016 Indian Super League at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata. Placed third and fourth in the points table, a win for either will move one of them to the second place, a relatively secure zone to qualify for the semi-finals.
Atletico de Kolkata became the first team to reach all three semi-finals of the Indian Super League after their match against Kerala Blasters FC ended in a 1-1 draw. The match saw two first half goals. One in eighth minute by CK Vineeth for Kerala. Kolkata's Stephen Pearson scored the equalizer in the 18th minute. Kolkata joined Mumbai in the semis.
Positioned fourth and fifth on the standings respectively, Kerala Blasters FC and North East United FC will face each other on Sunday in the deciding game for the semis spot. The winner will qualify for the final four.
