They beat Mohammedan SC in their final fixture
Guwahati: NorthEast United FC finished their Indian Super League campaign on a high after clinching a 2-0 win against relegated Mohammedan SC.
Jairo Samperio and Dinesh Singh Soraisham found the net for the Highlanders, who climbed to ninth place in the table and concluded their campaign with 16 points. Mohammedan, who had their relegation confirmed earlier in the season, finished at the bottom of the standings with three points, ending their campaign without a win.
Mohammedan created the first notable opening in the 13th minute. Thokchom Adison Singh made a darting run down the right flank before cutting inside the box and shooting low at the near post. However, the effort took a deflection, allowing NorthEast goalkeeper Dipesh Chauhan to gather comfortably.
NorthEast took the lead in the 19th minute following sustained pressure around the Mohammedan Sporting penalty area. Jithin delivered an inswinging corner towards the near post, and Jairo got there first, directing a header across goal and into the far corner, leaving Nikhil Deka with no chance.
Adison remained a threat for Mohammedan Sporting and nearly responded in the 26th minute after being released by an excellent through ball from Makan Chothe. Jairo almost doubled his tally in the 39th minute. NorthEast captain Ngasepam Tondonba Singh floated an inch-perfect cross towards the far post, where Jairo met it with a header. This time, however, his effort clipped the outside of the post and went out of play.