ISL 2018-19: NorthEast United sign Janeiler Rivas Palacios for injured Mislav Komorski
Indian Super League club NorthEast United FC have signed Janeiler Rivas Palacios as the replacement for the injured Mislav Komorski.
Centre-back Komorski suffered an injury during the 2-1 defeat to Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on January 30. Coach Eelco Schattorie confirmed that the defender is out for the remainder of the season and prompted NEUFC to name a replacement.
That replacement is fellow central defender Rivas, a 30-year-old Colombian who has spent most of his career in South America.
Rivas joins NorthEast United from Millonarios FC, a Colombian team based out of Bogota playing in the Categoria Primera A, the country's top division. He made 17 appearances in 2 seasons for the club, scoring one goal.
"The 30-year-old defender joins us after a title-winning season with Millonarios FC in 2017, replacing Komorski who is out for the season due to injury," NorthEast United confirmed on their Twitter handle.
Before that, Rivas played for Club Alianza Atletico in Peru from 2015-17, making 71 appearances and notching up 7 goals. Rivas also had stints in Atletico Huila (12 caps, no goals between 2013 and 2015) and Boyaca Chico (16 matches, 1 goal between 2011 and 2013).
Rivas was considered one of the best defenders in the 2016 season of the Peruvian Premier League. Rivas spent his initial days in Uruguay, playing for Villa Teresa, Club Atlantida, Basanez and Cerro.
Rivas left Millonarios on November 16, 2018, and moves to India hoping to secure NorthEast United's spot in the ISL semifinals.
Komorski's loss was a huge blow for NorthEast United. He clocked 763 minutes in 10 appearances for NEUFC. He made 8 tackles, 8 interceptions, 72 clearances and 8 blocks for his team.
NorthEast United are placed third on the ISL table with 27 points in 16 games, the same as Mumbai City. They are yet to confirm their playoffs spot but can do so with a couple of victories in their remaining games. NorthEast host Pune City in the ISL on Wednesday, Feb 20.
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