As it happened: NorthEast United FC vs FC Pune City, ISL 2015, Match 52

NorthEast United FC are back in the hunt for the fourth spot! It is full time and The Highlanders have edged The Stallions with this 3-2 victory. The hosts have done their part and now their fortunes rely on the outcome of the game between FC Pune City and Chennaiyin FC. It was a high tempo start to game with three goals in the first 20 minutes. NorthEast United FC took the lead only to see FC Pune City get the equaliser four minutes later. The hosts then once again took the lead through Kamara before Bikey added on to the tally minutes before half time. In the second half, FC Pune City came hard at The Highlanders, creating a lot of chances but failing to convert them.

FULL TIME: NorthEast United FC crush FC Pune City's semi-finals hopes with a 3-2 win

Adrian Mutu has delivered just when it mattered! FC Pune City have been given the lifeline they needed so dearly. NorthEast United FC conceded a free kick just outside the box and Mutu stepped up to punish them. He got it up and over the wall into the top right corner. Nothing the keeper could have done there but pick the ball from the back of the net. The next few minutes will be very important for both teams now. Buckle up folks!

GOAL!! Adrian Mutu scores in 86th min as FC Pune City make it 2-3 against NorthEast United FC

Final change for FC Pune City

David Platt has made his last change of the night. Fanai Lalrempuia replaces Lenny Rodrigues.

Bikash Jairu lays the ball on to Mutu who is in a good position in the box. He takes a first time shot but fails to keep it down on this occasion.

Kalu Uche keeps his calm in the box and chests the ball down nicely for Lenny Rodrigues to have a pop. He takes a first time shot but blasts it high and over the crossbar.

The second half has begun and FC Pune City will be going all out to get back in the game. Can NorthEast United FC hold on or even add to their lead?

HALF-TIME: NorthEast United FC lead FC Pune City 3-1 at half-time

The second fifteen minutes of the match sees NorthEast United FC ahead. They had 1 shot and 2 crosses attempted and are ahead with 58%.

Yumnam Raju seems to have taken a painful knock and was about to be stretchered off. The defender in the last moment got up and showed the thumbs up to his manager, looks like he will carry on after receiving treatment.

Nicolas Velez makes a menacing run into the box but just could not get past the last line of defense. Just one man to beat and he would have been through on goal.

GOAL!! Kamara scores as NorthEast United FC take 2-1 lead against FC Pune City

GOAL!! James Bailey scores as FC Pune City make it 1-1 against NorthEast United FC.

GOAL!! Nico Velez scores as NorthEast United FC take 1-0 lead against FC Pune City FC.

Kick off

The fireworks go off for the 52nd time in ISL 2 as FC Pune City get us underway! Possession is changing hands on a regular basis as both teams are trying to get a hold on the ball.

TOSS:

Diomansy Kamara wins the toss and selects the side. FC Pune City in their famous purple and orange stripes will be kicking off from right to left for the first half.

Team Changes:

FC Pune City

The visitors have also made a total of four changes. Kalu Uche, Jackichand, Roger Johnson and Moirangthem Govin are back in the starting team. Manish Maithani, Yendrick Ruiz, Tuncay Sanli and Eugeneson Lyngdoh (suspended) are the players making way.

NorthEast United FC:

NorthEast United FC have made four changes for this one. Nicolas Velez, Bruno, Andre Bikey and Aibor Khongjee have all be given a start. Reagan, Cedric Hengbart, Silas and Simao have been assigned to start from the bench.

FC Pune City -XI

Arindam (GK), Moirangthem Govin, Roger Johnson, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Nicky Shorey, Lenny Rodrigues, Didier Zokora (C), James Bailey, Jackichand, Adrian Mutu, Kalu Uche.

NorthEast United FC XI

Rehenesh (GK), Aibor Khongjee, Andre Bikey, Carlos Lopez, Yumnam Raju, Seityasen, Siam Hanghal, Bruno, Diomansy Kamara (C), Victor Mendy, Nicolas Velez.

Hello friends, welcome to the Live coverage from Match 52 of the Indian Super League between NorthEast United FC and FC Pune City.

NorthEast United FC and FC Pune City will be still eyeing Indian Super League (ISL) semi-finals qualifications when they play against each other despite being in discomforting positions.

Both NorthEast United and FC Pune City find themselves in a similar do-or-die situation of making it to the play-offs but both teams are keeping faith in their abilities.

NorthEast are placed fourth on the table with 17 points from 13 matches. With Atletico de Kolkata, FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos already qualifying for the semis, there is only a lone spot available for grabs. NorthEast have only one match in hand and will have to hope that other results go their way even if they win that match.