A Simao Sabrosa penalty was enough to see NorthEast United FC come away with all three points in their 2015 Hero Indian Super League encounter against Atlético de Kolkata in front of a 38,456-strong crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Saturday.

Atlético de Kolkata suffered an early setback with Ofentse Nato giving away a penalty from a corner seven minutes into the game. Simao took responsibility and sent the ball into the bottom right corner from the spot to put NorthEast United ahead.

The goal boosted the Highlanders’ confidence as ATK found it difficult to get out of their own half and spring an attack of their own. Jaime Gavilan had to wait till the 19th minute to register his side’s first shot at goal. However after that, ATK grew into the match. Gavilan was seeing much more of the ball as he, along with the rest of the ATK set-up, began probing the NorthEast goal more frequently.

Nicolas Velez though could have extended his side’s lead in the 27th minute after latching onto a loose ball behind Kolkata’s backline. His shot was just off the mark as the local support and the Atlético players breathed a sigh of relief. Velez did find the back of the net minutes later, but the assistant referee had raised his flag for off-side.

Kolkata had their best chance of the half in the 38th minute when their latest acquisition Mohammed Rafique did brilliantly to dribble past his marker and put in a great ball into the box which Iain Hume headed just above the crossbar.

Rafique nearly scored with a header of his own three minutes later but NorthEast’s keeper TP Rehenesh put in a dive to collect the goal-bound header comfortably. Rehenesh was called into action again just before the half-time whistle – this time from a deflected Gavilan shot which he just managed to keep out as NorthEast maintained their 1-0 advantage going in at the break.

Atlético head coach Antonio Habas made a double change at half-time and brought on Arnab Mondal and Valdo to replace Jewel Raja and Nato as the defending champions went in search of a leveller. Valdo took Kolkata’s first shot of the second half as the hosts made their intentions clear straight from the outset.

The home side amped up the pressure on NorthEast’s goal as the Highlanders fell deeper and deeper into their own half trying to protect their lead.

Velez once again had a golden opportunity to double his side’s lead at the hour mark. The South American, however, failed to get his shot on target, much to the disappointment of the travelling NorthEast fans.

Kolkata almost drew level six minutes later but for a stunning interception from Andre Bikey inside the six-yard box. Rafique put in a low cross into the box with Hume waiting to pounce. Just as Hume was waiting to pull the trigger, a brilliant last-ditched stretch by Bikey did just enough to deny ATK their equaliser.

The visitors adopted a high-risk strategy of defending deep in numbers during the last ten minutes of the match. Kolkata kept on pushing forward as numerous efforts from the likes of Valdo and Hume were kept away from the NorthEast goal by a resilient defence under the leadership of Bikey.

The last chance of the game fell ATK’s way courtesy of a Gavilan free-kick in the last minute of normal time. The Spaniard rifled his shot into the arms of a grateful Rehenesh as NorthEast saw out the remaining five minutes of additional time with relative ease to claim their second win against Atlético de Kolkata this season.

Match Awards:

Club Award– NorthEast United FC

Swift Moment of the Match – Bruno Herrero Arias [NorthEast United FC]

Amul Fittest Player of the Match – Sameehg Doutie [Atletico de Kolkata]

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Mohammed Rafique [Atletico de Kolkata]

Hero of the Match – Andre Bikey [NorthEast United FC]