ISL 2018-19: Late Borges goal gives NorthEast FC 1-0 win against 10-men ATK

Full-time report: Full-time report: A late goal by NorthEast United FC's Rowllin Borges condemned ATK to their second loss in a week at home. 

Borges got off a defender to head a corner kick into the far post in the 88th minute and score the game's only goal. Although, the home team could rue the fact that they played with one man less for over an hour after Sena Ralte was shown his second yellow card for a cynical challenge on Nikhil Kadam in the 31st minute.

ATK now have suffered losses in their first two opening games, both at their home stadium while NorthEast United FC move to the top of the table, for now. Last week, they drew against a formidable Goa side at home and now have a win to show for their efforts at the Salt Lake stadium today, although they did have a touch of luck with the suspension of Ralte early in the game.

The game started with neither team dominating the early phases. The referee wasn't shy of reaching into his pocket to hand out the card either. But that didn't dispel Ralte from going in for dangerous challenges twice within first half an hour to be given his marching orders.

All the substitutions and tactics of ATK from that moment on moved around putting their men behind the ball and clearing out the danger. Especially in the second half, NorthEast United continously knocked on the door, while easily carrying out the ball from the back but some no-nonsense defending by the home team -- especially John Johnson, who popped up everywhere -- made sure the scoreline was without any goal. Until the 88th minute when Borges escaped his marker to rise the highest and head it into the goal.

Two back-to-back defeats at home are sure to give headaches to Coppell who had been excited about the team's opening fixtures which were all at home. NorthEast United couldn't be more happier, as they now sit at the top of the table after boxing with two formidable opponents.

9:27 PM

It's all over. A late Borges goal seals the win for NorthEast United

9:21 PM

Minute 90 (SUBSTITUTION)-- NorthEast make a change: Singh out, Sharma in

9:19 PM

Minute 88 (goal!!)-- Rowllin Borges gets off a defender to head a corner kick into the far post for NorthEast's and this match's first goal. The visitors lead 1-0 with minutes remaining to the end of the game

9:13 PM

Minute 83 -- Johnson has been immense for ATK tonight, especially after his team were reduced to 10-men.

9:12 PM

Minute 81 -- Brilliant oppotunity for Gallejo who puts in a cross inside the box with his teammate ready to pounce for a tap-in but Johnson cuts short the pass and kicks it out for corner

9:12 PM

Minute 81 -- A little over 10 minutes remaining in the game here, and, by the looks of it, we are in for the first scoreless draw of the season

9:10 PM

Minute 80 (SUBSTITUTION) -- NorthEast make a change. Puitea in for Adam

9:09 PM

Minute 78 -- Gallego shows his speed and outsprints an ATK defender but there's another defender, Johnson who cuts short his advances, like has been doing the entire evening

9:07 PM

Minute 77 -- Kalu Uche is straight to action moments after jogging into the ground. This shot is tame though and easily saved by the goalkeeper

9:05 PM

Minute 75 (YELLOW CARD): Card for ATK's Lanzarote 

9:05 PM

Minute 74 -- (SUBSTITUTION): ATK make a substitution: Kalu Uche comes in amid applause from home crowd to replace Lanzarote

9:01 PM

Minute 70 -- Nearly a harakiri by John Johnson who can't get the ball off his feet in time while inside his box. NorthEast players press and dispossess him but the goalkeeper advances off his line to semi-clear the danger

8:58 PM

Minute 67 -- A close shave for NorthEast and a miss for ATK. Johnson tries to get at the end of a freekick. He does make the connection but heads it away from the goalpost.

8:58 PM

Minute 67 (SUBSTITUTION) -- Substitution for NorthEast: Lakra comes in for Lalthlamuana

8:55 PM

Minute 65 -- NorthEast intercept a pass in the backline and try to launch an attack but are cut short before any damage could be done