Substitute Jithin MS scored in the second minute of stoppage time as NorthEast United beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 1-0 in Guwahati on Monday. The visitors hit the woodwork twice and had a goal ruled out for offside, but left Guwahati with nothing in the Indian Super League.
Guwahati, India: For 90 minutes, Mohun Bagan Super Giant created the better chances. In the 92nd, NorthEast United took the only one that mattered. Jithin MS, who had come on at half-time, followed up a rebound to settle a goalless contest in NorthEast’s first match of the 2026-27 Indian Super League season.
Woodwork and offside for the visitors
Mohun Bagan’s best moments came early and late, twice off the frame of the goal. Lee Erwin hit the woodwork from a set piece in the ninth minute, and substitute Suhail Bhat did the same around the 87th, from a cross by Liston Colaco. In between, Alaeddine Ajaraie scored with a long-range strike that was ruled out for offside. NorthEast’s goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh made several important saves, while Mehtab Singh blocked a cross intended for Jithin in the 71st minute.
The rebound that decided it
NorthEast had threatened sporadically, with a first-minute chance that Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Vishal Kaith stopped and a Nikola effort that missed the target in the 83rd. The decisive attack arrived at 90+2. Kaith saved an initial shot, the ball came back off the post, and Jithin was on hand to put it in.
Jithin had replaced Asheer Akhtar at the interval, so the winner came from a player who had been on the pitch only since half-time.
Dilmperis rues the chances
Mohun Bagan head coach Panos Dilmperis was left to count the cost. He said afterwards that his side deserved to win, pointing to five clear chances in front of goal and two hits of the woodwork. He also said Miguel Figueira, who came on in the 59th minute, should have taken a shot himself rather than pass in one move, and that missed chances can affect decision-making later in a game.
A tight start to the season
The result adds another twist to an opening weekend that began with Bengaluru FC’s 3-2 win over SC Delhi. For NorthEast, who earlier in the season closed out a perfect Durand Cup group stage, it is a first three points to carry into their next match. Mohun Bagan, by contrast, must regroup quickly.
Result: NorthEast United 1 (Jithin MS 90+2′) Mohun Bagan Super Giant 0. Half-time: 0-0.
Competition: Indian Super League 2026-27, Guwahati, Monday 12 October 2026.
