# 2021–22 NorthEast United FC season

The 2021–22 season was the club's eight season in Indian Super League since its establishment in 2014. The 2021–22 Indian Super League season started from 19 November 2021.

## Season overview

The Highlanders are all set rope in Spanish midfielder Hernan Santana and Sehnaj Singh and have extended Khassa Camara’s contract, as reported earlier by Khel Now. The club has also signed Joe Zoherliana, Jestin George, and Mohammed Irshad under the guidance of Khalid Jamil who is set to continue as head coach.
On 27 October 2021, NorthEast United are completed the signing of Australian defender Patrick Flottmann from Sydney FC on a free transfer. The Highlanders first signed South Korean defender Ahn Byung-keon, but couldn’t register him due to some issues.
On 29 October 2021, NorthEast United have completed the signing of Gani Ahmed Nigam.
On 31 October 2021, NorthEast United have completed the signing of Manvir Singh. The striker played for Sudeva FC in the last I-League season and has signed a 3-year-deal with the Highlanders.

### November

On 7 November 2021, NorthEast United FC confirmed the signing of Pragyan Medhi on its social media and various other platforms for the upcoming season. He has signed with NorthEast United on a four–year deal.
On 17 November 2021, NorthEast United announced BKT as their Official Partner for the upcoming season.
On 18 November 2021, NorthEast United announced their partnership with Amrit Cement as their Principal sponsor.
On 19 November, the NorthEast United launched their away-kit and third kit for the upcoming season.
On 20 November 2021, NorthEast United lost 2–4 against Bengaluru FC in their first Indian Super League match of the season. Deshorn Brown and Mathias Coureur are the Goalscorer for the Highlanders.
On 25 November, the NorthEast United played their second match against Kerala Blasters FC, which ended in a 0–0 draw.
On 27 November 2021, NorthEast United announced Health Vit as their Official Nutrition Partner for the upcoming season.
On 29 November 2021, NorthEast United lost 1–2 against Chennaiyin FC in their third Indian Super League match of the season. V.P. Suhair is the Goalscorer for the Highlanders.

### December

On 1 December 2021, NorthEast United announced Akshar Foundation as their Official Partner for the upcoming season.
On 4 December 2021, NorthEast United defeated FC Goa 2–1 at home match. Goal from Rochharzela and Khassa Camara ensured their first victory of the season.
On 10 December 2021, NorthEast United lost 0–1 against Odisha FC at away match.
On 13 December 2021, NorthEast United lost 1–5 against Hyderabad FC. Laldanmawia Ralte is the only goalscorer for the Highlanders.
On 17 December 2021, NorthEast United defeated East Bengal 2–0 at home match. Goals from V.P. Suhair and Patrick Flottman ensured victory for Highlanders.
On 21 December 2021, NorthEast United lost 2–3 against ATK Mohun Bagan. VP Suhair and Mashoor Shereef are the goalscorer for the Highlanders.
On 27 November 2021, the NorthEast United played their home match against Mumbai City, which ended in a 3–3 draw. Deshorn Brown is the Goalscorer for NorthEast United who Scored a hat-trick.
On 29 December 2021, NorthEast United assistant manager Alison Kharsyntiew left the club due to family issue.

### January

On 6 January 2022, NorthEast United sign Indian Super League golden boot winner Marcelinho from Rajasthan United on loan deal. NorthEast United lost 2–3 against Jamshedpur. Brown scored two goals for the Highlanders.
On 13 January 2022, Khelnow confirmed that NorthEast United signed Senegalese defender Zakaria Diallo for the rest of the season. NorthEast United also terminate their contract with Khassa Camara due to his engagements with AFCON that rules him out for a majority of matches in the second phase of Indian Super League.
On 14 January 2022, NorthEast United drew 1–1 with Goa at away match. Hernán scored first for the Highlanders, but Goa equalized shortly after, courtesy of Airam Cabrera.
On 18 January 2022, NorthEast United lost to Odisha 2–0 at home match. Daniel Lalhlimpuia and Aridai Cabrera scored for Odisha.
On 21 January 2022, NorthEast United confirmed the signing of Marco Sahanek on its social media and various other platforms for the rest of the season.
On 22 January 2022, NorthEast United lost to Chennaiyin 1–2 in away match. Danmawia score a goal in 35 minutes for the Highlanders.
On 25 January 2022, NorthEast United drew 1–1 against Mumbai City at away match. Ahmed Jahouh scored a penalty for the Islanders, but Mohammed Irshad equalized the score in 79th minutes.
On 31 January 2022, NorthEast United lost to Hyderabad 0–5 at home match.

### February

On 4 February 2022, NorthEast United lost to Kerala Blasters in 1–2 at away match, with Jorge Pereyra Díaz and Álvaro Vázquez scoring for the Blasters. Mohammed Irshad scored in the last minute for a late consolation.
On 12 February, NorthEast United lost 1–3 against ATK Mohun Bagan.
On 18 February, the Highlanders defeated Bengaluru 2–1. Deshorn Brown and Danmawia scored for Highlanders.
On 25 February, NorthEast United lost 2–3 against Jamshedpur. Danamawia and Marcelinho are the goalscorer for NorthEast United.
On 28 February, NorthEast United drew 1–1 with East Bengal in their last match of the Indian Super League season. Marco Sahanek scored for the Highlanders and Antonio Perošević equalising in the second half for East Bengal.

## Players

Current squad of the club:
| Squad No. | Name | Nationality | Position(s) | Date of Birt deh (Age) |
| Goalkeepers |||||
| 1 | Subhasish Roy Chowdhury | | GK | (1986-09-27) 27 September 1986 (age 38) |
| 32 | Mirshad Michu | | GK | (1994-02-03) 3 February 1994 (age 31) |
| 33 | Sanjiban Ghosh | | GK | (1991-07-06) 6 July 1991 (age 33) |
| 44 | Nikhil Deka | | GK | (2002-10-13) 13 October 2002 (age 22) |
| Defenders |||||
| 2 | Patrick Flottmann | | CB | (1997-04-19) 19 April 1997 (age 27) |
| 3 | Tondonba Singh | | LB | (1997-03-29) 29 March 1997 (age 27) |
| 4 | Provat Lakra | | LB / RB | (1997-08-12) 12 August 1997 (age 27) |
| 5 | Gurjinder Kumar | | LB | (1990-10-10) 10 October 1990 (age 34) |
| 16 | Mohammed Irshad | | CB / DM | (1994-12-26) 26 December 1994 (age 30) |
| 23 | Jestin George | | CB | (1998-02-07) 7 February 1998 (age 27) |
| 24 | Joe Zoherliana | | RB | (1999-05-10) 10 May 1999 (age 25) |
| 25 | Nabin Rabha | | CB | (1996-12-11) 11 December 1996 (age 28) |
| 66 | Mashoor Shereef | | CB | (1993-01-05) 5 January 1993 (age 32) |
| 79 | Zakaria Diallo (Winter) | / | CB | (1986-08-13) 13 August 1986 (age 38) |
| Midfielders |||||
| 7 | Rochharzela | | AM / LM / LW | (1998-04-15) 15 April 1998 (age 26) |
| 8 | Imran Khan | | DM / CM / AM / LW | (1995-03-01) 1 March 1995 (age 30) |
| 11 | Marco Sahanek (Winter) | | AM / LM / RM | (1990-01-27) 27 January 1990 (age 35) |
| 12 | Pragyan Medhi | | CM | (2004-01-08) 8 January 2004 (age 21) |
| 13 | Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha | | AM | (2002-02-06) 6 February 2002 (age 23) |
| 14 | Hernán Santana (C) | | CM / CB | (1990-08-26) 26 August 1990 (age 34) |
| 29 | Sehnaj Singh | | CM/DM | (1993-07-19) 19 July 1993 (age 31) |
| 43 | Pragyan Gogoi | | CM | (1999-01-25) 25 January 1999 (age 26) |
| Forward |||||
| 15 | V.P. Suhair | | CF / RW / RM | (1992-07-27) 27 July 1992 (age 32) |
| 17 | Laldanmawia Ralte | | LW / CF / RW | (1992-12-19) 19 December 1992 (age 32) |
| 21 | Manvir Singh | | CF / RM | (2001-06-15) 15 June 2001 (age 23) |
| 22 | Gani Nigam | | LW / LM | (1998-05-01) 1 May 1998 (age 26) |
| 26 | Deshorn Brown | | CF | (1990-12-22) 22 December 1990 (age 34) |
| 27 | Lalkhawpuimawia | | CF / LM | (1992-01-08) 8 January 1992 (age 33) |
| 40 | Marcelinho (Winter) | | LW / AM | (1987-06-22) 22 June 1987 (age 37) |
| 49 | William Lalnunfela | | CF | (1995-07-06) 6 July 1995 (age 29) |

## Transfers
### IN

| No. | Pos. | Player | From | Fee | Date |
| 17 | FW | Laldanmawia Ralte | Hyderabad | Free transfer | 3 September 2021 |
| 29 | MF | Sehnaj Singh | East Bengal | Free transfer | 6 September 2021 |
| 3 | DF | Tondonba Singh | Mumbai City | Undisclosed | 7 September 2021 |
| 13 | MF | Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha | Bengaluru | Undisclosed | 8 September 2021 |
| 24 | DF | Joe Zoherliana | Bengaluru | Free transfer | 9 September 2021 |
| 14 | MF | Hernán Santana | Sporting de Gijón | Free transfer | 10 September 2021 |
| 49 | FW | William Lalnunfela | Jamshedpur FC | Free transfer | 11 September 2021 |
| 16 | DF | Mohammed Irshad | East Bengal | Free transfer | 15 September 2021 |
| 23 | DF | Jestin George | Gokulam Kerala | Free transfer | 16 September 2021 |
| 19 | FW | Mathias Coureur | Samsunspor | Free transfer | 18 September 2021 |
| 32 | GK | Mirshad Michu | East Bengal | Free transfer | 1 October 2021 |
| 2 | DF | Patrick Flottmann | Sydney FC | Free transfer | 27 October 2021 |
| 22 | FW | Gani Nigam | Mohammedan SC | Free transfer | 29 October 2021 |
| 21 | FW | Manvir Singh | Sudeva FC | Undisclosed | 31 October 2021 |
| 12 | MF | Pragyan Medhi | Indian Arrows | Free transfer | 7 November 2021 |
| 11 | MF | Marco Sahanek | Nakhon Ratchasima | Free transfer | 6 January 2021 |
| 79 | DF | Zakaria Diallo | Al-Shabab | Free transfer | 13 January 2021 |

### Contract Extensions

| No | Player | Position | Contract Till |
| 1 | Subhasish Roy Chowdhury | GK | 2022 |
| 4 | Provat Lakra | DF | 2022 |
| 26 | Deshorn Brown | FW | 2022 |
| 6 | Khassa Camara | MF | 2022 |
| 10 | Federico Gallego | MF | 2022 |

### Out

| No. | Pos. | Player | To | Fee | Date |
| 20 | WF | Luís Machado | Radomiak | Free transfer | 24 June 2021 |
| 19 | DF | Benjamin Lambot | RFC Liège | Free transfer | 2 July 2021 |
| 12 | DF | Ashutosh Mehta | ATK Mohun Bagan FC | Free transfer | 5 July 2021 |
| 29 | DF | Nim Dorjee Tamang | Hyderabad | Undisclosed | 30 July 2021 |
| 31 | GK | Gurmeet Singh | Hyderabad | Free transfer | 30 July 2021 |
| 2 | DF | Wayne Vaz | Mohammedan SC | Free transfer | 2 August 2021 |
| 45 | MF | Lalengmawia | Mumbai City | ₹19.04m | 13 August 2021 |
| 33 | DF | Rakesh Pradhan | Mohammedan SC | Free transfer | 15 August 2021 |
| 9 | FW | Kwesi Appiah | Crawley Town | Free transfer | 16 August 2021 |
| 11 | FW | Idrissa Sylla | – | Free transfer | – |
| 50 | FW | Britto PM | Released | Released | 28 August 2021 |
| 16 | DF | Dylan Fox | FC Goa | ₹2.82m | 31 August |
| 54 | DF | Ponif Vaz | Real Kashmir | Undisclosed | 31 August |
| 7 | FW | Ninthoinganba Meetei | Chennaiyin FC | Undisclosed | 31 August 2021 |
| 19 | FW | Mathias Coureur | Released | Released | 7 January 2022 |
| 6 | MF | Khassa Camara | Free agent | Contract termination | 13 January 2022 |
* ↑ Fee reported to be ₹10,00,000

### Loans in

| No | Position | Player | Loaned from | Fee | Date | On loan until | Source |
| 40 | FW | Marcelinho | Rajasthan United | None | 6 January 2022 | End of Season | |

## Competitions
### Indian Super League

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 7 | Odisha | 20 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 31 | 43 | −12 | 23 |
| 8 | Chennaiyin | 20 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 35 | −18 | 20 |
| 9 | Goa | 20 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 29 | 35 | −6 | 19 |
| 10 | NorthEast United | 20 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 25 | 43 | −18 | 14 |
| 11 | East Bengal | 20 | 1 | 8 | 11 | 18 | 36 | −18 | 11 |
* ↑ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in India, the 2021–22 Indian Super League season would be entirely held in Goa, inside closed doors and NorthEast United FC has been allotted the Fatorda Stadium as their home ground for the season.

#### Result summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |

#### Results by round

| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| Ground | A | H | H | H | A | A | H | H | H | A | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A |
| Result | L | D | L | W | L | L | W | L | D | L | D | L | L | D | L | L | L | W | L | D |
| Position | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 |

#### Matches

The season fixtures for the first 10 matches were released on 13 September. NorthEast United began their campaign against Bengaluru FC on 20 November 2021.
Win Draw Loss

## Statistics
### Squad statistics

    As of 28 February 2022
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Total | Indian Super League | Indian Super League |
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||
| 1 | GK | IND | Subhasish Roy Chowdhury | 10 | 0 | 9+1 | 0 |
| 32 | GK | IND | Mirshad Michu | 11 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 33 | GK | IND | Sanjiban Ghosh | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 44 | GK | IND | Nikhil Deka | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defenders ||||||||
| 2 | DF | AUS | Patrick Flottmann | 15 | 1 | 13+2 | 1 |
| 3 | DF | IND | Tondonba Singh | 9 | 0 | 3+6 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | IND | Provat Lakra | 16 | 0 | 15+1 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | IND | Gurjinder Kumar | 16 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | IND | Mohammed Irshad | 14 | 2 | 9+5 | 2 |
| 23 | DF | IND | Jestin George | 5 | 0 | 2+3 | 0 |
| 24 | DF | IND | Joe Zoherliana | 9 | 0 | 6+3 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | IND | Nabin Rabha | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 66 | DF | IND | Mashoor Shereef | 15 | 1 | 11+4 | 1 |
| 79 | DF | SEN | Zakaria Diallo | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Midfielders ||||||||
| 7 | MF | IND | Rochharzela | 11 | 1 | 5+6 | 1 |
| 8 | MF | IND | Imran Khan | 17 | 0 | 13+4 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | AUT | Marco Sahanek | 7 | 1 | 6+1 | 1 |
| 12 | MF | IND | Pragyan Medhi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | ESP | Hernán Santana | 17 | 1 | 17 | 1 |
| 29 | MF | IND | Sehnaj Singh | 10 | 0 | 8+2 | 0 |
| 43 | MF | IND | Pragyan Gogoi | 13 | 0 | 9+4 | 0 |
| Forwards ||||||||
| 15 | FW | IND | V.P. Suhair | 19 | 4 | 19 | 4 |
| 17 | FW | IND | Laldanmawia Ralte | 13 | 4 | 5+8 | 4 |
| 21 | FW | IND | Manvir Singh | 5 | 0 | 0+5 | 0 |
| 22 | FW | IND | Gani Nigam | 6 | 0 | 0+6 | 0 |
| 26 | FW | JAM | Deshorn Brown | 12 | 7 | 9+3 | 7 |
| 27 | FW | IND | Lalkhawpuimawia | 12 | 0 | 5+7 | 0 |
| 40 | FW | BRA | Marcelinho | 8 | 1 | 4+4 | 1 |
| 49 | FW | IND | William Lalnunfela | 2 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 |
| Players who left the club during the season ||||||||
| 13 | MF | IND | Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | URU | Federico Gallego | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | MTN | Khassa Camara | 7 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
| 19 | FW | MTQ | Mathias Coureur | 10 | 1 | 9+1 | 1 |

### Goalscorers

| Rank | No. | Pos. | Player | League | Super Cup | Total |
| 1 | 26 | FW | Deshorn Brown | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 15 | FW | V.P. Suhair | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2 | 17 | FW | Laldanmawia Ralte | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | 16 | DF | Mohammed Irshad | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | 19 | FW | Mathias Coureur | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | 7 | MF | Rochharzela | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | 6 | MF | Khassa Camara | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | 2 | DF | Patrick Flottmann | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | 66 | DF | Mashoor Shereef | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | 14 | MF | Hernan Santana | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | 11 | FW | Marco Sahanek | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | 40 | FW | Marcelinho | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Totals | Totals | Totals | Totals | 25 | 0 | 25 |
Last updated: 28 February 2022. Source: Fbref

### Hat-tricks

| Player | Against | Result | Date | Competition | Ref |
| Deshorn Brown | Mumbai City | 3–3 (H) | 27 December 2021 | Indian Super League | |
(H) – Home; (A) – Away

### Assist

| Rank | No. | Pos. | Name | League | Super Cup | Total |
| 1 | 8 | MF | Imran Khan | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2 | 19 | FW | Mathias Coureur | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | 15 | FW | V.P. Suhair | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | 66 | DF | Mashoor Shereef | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2 | 17 | MF | Hernan Santana | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 3 | 26 | FW | Deshorn Brown | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 17 | FW | Laldanmawia Ralte | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 2 | DF | Patrick Flottmann | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 40 | DF | Marcelinho | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 43 | MF | Pragyan Gogoi | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | 24 | DF | Joe Zoherliana | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Totals | Totals | Totals | Totals | 17 | 0 | 17 |
Last updated: 28 February 2022. Source: Fbref

### Clean sheets

| Rank | No. | Name | League | Super Cup | Total |
| 1 | 1 | Subhasish Roy Chowdhury | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1 | 32 | Mirshad Michu | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Totals | Totals | Totals | 2 | 0 | 2 |
Last updated: 28 February 2022. Source: Fbref

### Disciplinary record

| No. | Pos. | Name | League | League | League | Super Cup | Super Cup | Super Cup | Total | Total | Total |
| 14 | MF | Hernán Santana | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | Provat Lakra | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | Gurjinder Kumar | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 66 | DF | Mashoor Shereef | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | FW | Marcelinho | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 79 | DF | Zakaria Diallo | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | Imran Khan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | Mohammed Irshad | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | Khassa Camara | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Patrick Flottmann | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | FW | V.P. Suhair | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 | GK | Subhasish Roy Chowdhury | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 43 | MF | Pragyan Gogoi | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | Marco Sahanek | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Rochharzela | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | FW | Lalkhawpuimawia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | Laldanmawia Ralte | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | MF | Sehnaj Singh | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |

### Injury record

| N | P | Name | Type | Source | Match | Inj. Date | Ret. Date |
| 8 | MF | Imran Khan | unknown injury | | in training | Pre-Season | 4 December 2021 |
| 13 | MF | Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha | leg injury | | in training | Pre-Season | Pre-Season |
| 49 | FW | William Lalnunfela | Unknown injury | | vs Bengaluru | 20 November 2021 | 27 December 2021 |
| 26 | FW | Deshorn Brown | hamstring injury | | vs Kerala Blasters | 25 November 2021 | 4 December 2021 |
| 10 | MF | Federico Gallego | left knee injury | thenewsmill.com | vs Chennaiyin | 29 November 2021 | Unknown |
| 26 | FW | Deshorn Brown | hamstring injury | | vs Odisha | 10 December 2021 | 27 December 2021 |
| 7 | MF | Rochharzela | shoulder injury | | vs Goa | 14 January 2022 | Pre-Season |
| 26 | FW | Deshorn Brown | hamstring injury | | vs Goa | 14 January 2022 | 4 February 2022 |
- Player is injured
- Player has recovered from injury Last updated: 28 February 2022 Source: NorthEast United FC