ISL: Mumbai keep playoffs hopes alive with 3-2 win over NorthEast

Mumbai Feb 22 (IANS) Mumbai FC kept their slim chances of making the playoffs alive with a last-gasp 3-2 victory over bottom-placed NorthEast United FC in a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) encounter here at the Mumbai Football Arena on Thursday.

Cameroonian attacking midfielder Achille Emana (15th) opened the scoring for the hosts in what was a must-win game for them but Lucian Goian (24th) put ball into his own net to level proceedings.

Guinea-Bissauan centre back Sambinha (43rd) then helped the visitors nod ahead and take a 2-1 lead into the halftime break.

Brazilian forward Everton Santos (54th) made it 2-2 early on in the second period before Goian (90th) dramatically atoned for his first-half error by netting the winner in stoppage time.

The result saw Mumbai pip FC Goa to sixth place in the points table. The Ranbir Kapoor-co owned franchise now have 23 points from 16 matches four off fourth-placed Jamshedpur FC (26 points) with two games in hand.

There was no end to NorthEast s misery as they succumbed to their fifth defeat on the trot.

--IANS
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