Mohun Bagan Super Giant controlled most of the game on the pitch against NorthEast United FC but were almost outplayed by the rain that led to almost 30 minutes suspension of play after the change of ends and the fear of it being cancelled and a point shared between the rivals.However, in the end, Bagan rode the early strike from Brazilian Robson to the top of the Indian Super League table with a 1-0 win at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.The three points they earned — despite the threat from the inclement weather — helped them leapfrog Mumbai City FC with 20 points from nine matches.NEUFC, meanwhile, tried their best for an equaliser in the pouring rain of the second half but had to stay in the bottom three with just seven points from their nine games.The visitors began in a dominant fashion and used the creativity of Sahal Abdul Samad in midfield to create a chance for Jamie Maclaren in the opening minutes that was parried by NEUFC custodian Gurmeet Singh.It did not take long though for the defending champions to make up for it as Sahal kept making his point through to coach Sergio Lobera, who has given the midfielder little game time so far this season.And the 29-year-old used his attacking instincts to be at the right of the box to send a calculated cutback in front of goal for Robson ‘Robinho’, who shot it past anyone’s reach into the top left of the goal.Combining with Anirudh Thapa in the middle, Samad played a role in most of Bagan’s attacking moves into the NEUFC box, but the maroon-and-greens lacked the finishing touch to extend the lead.The Highlanders, on the other hand, stuck to defending with earnest – led by Asheer Akhtar and the young Mohammed Arshaf – and indulged in moving forward only through counter-attacks.With the rain getting more severe by the minute, interspersed with thunder and lightning, the hosts created their first real chance of the game in the 36th minute. Upon another counter-attack, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia set up Parthib Gogoi with an incisive cross from the left to the middle and in front of the box. But the pressure from an onrushing Vishal Kaith’s block led to Gogoi shooting to the left of the side netting.Lalrinzuala had another shot on target but could not change the scoresheet as the teams went into break.With the rain pouring harder — accompanied by regular thunder and lightning — the match officials decided on suspending the match till the weather and condition on the field improved.Accordingly, the match resumed after half an hour only for the fans to witness a scrappy affair on the field. Despite the coaches bringing in changes and the Highlanders coming closer to an equaliser on a couple of occasions, no player on the field could add to the goal tally as the visitors took the full points and the top spot.Mohun Bagan Super Giant controlled most of the game on the pitch against NorthEast United FC but were almost outplayed by the rain that led to almost 30 minutes suspension of play after the change of ends and the fear of it being cancelled and a point shared between the rivals.However, in the end, Bagan rode the early strike from Brazilian Robson to the top of the Indian Super League table with a 1-0 win at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.The three points they earned — despite the threat from the inclement weather — helped them leapfrog Mumbai City FC with 20 points from nine matches.NEUFC, meanwhile, tried their best for an equaliser in the pouring rain of the second half but had to stay in the bottom three with just seven points from their nine games.The visitors began in a dominant fashion and used the creativity of Sahal Abdul Samad in midfield to create a chance for Jamie Maclaren in the opening minutes that was parried by NEUFC custodian Gurmeet Singh.It did not take long though for the defending champions to make up for it as Sahal kept making his point through to coach Sergio Lobera, who has given the midfielder little game time so far this season.And the 29-year-old used his attacking instincts to be at the right of the box to send a calculated cutback in front of goal for Robson ‘Robinho’, who shot it past anyone’s reach into the top left of the goal.Combining with Anirudh Thapa in the middle, Samad played a role in most of Bagan’s attacking moves into the NEUFC box, but the maroon-and-greens lacked the finishing touch to extend the lead.The Highlanders, on the other hand, stuck to defending with earnest – led by Asheer Akhtar and the young Mohammed Arshaf – and indulged in moving forward only through counter-attacks.With the rain getting more severe by the minute, interspersed with thunder and lightning, the hosts created their first real chance of the game in the 36th minute. Upon another counter-attack, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia set up Parthib Gogoi with an incisive cross from the left to the middle and in front of the box. But the pressure from an onrushing Vishal Kaith’s block led to Gogoi shooting to the left of the side netting.Lalrinzuala had another shot on target but could not change the scoresheet as the teams went into break.With the rain pouring harder — accompanied by regular thunder and lightning — the match officials decided on suspending the match till the weather and condition on the field improved.Accordingly, the match resumed after half an hour only for the fans to witness a scrappy affair on the field. Despite the coaches bringing in changes and the Highlanders coming closer to an equaliser on a couple of occasions, no player on the field could add to the goal tally as the visitors took the full points and the top spot.
