Odisha FC beat NorthEast United FC 2-0 at the Fatorda Stadium to return to winning ways. The Juggernauts are now fifth in the table, leaving NEUFC at risk of sinking to the bottom.
Indian Super League returned following a couple of postponements; as Covid-related risk surfaced in team bubbles throughout the league, Odisha and NorthEast United – two clubs unaffected enough to field starting elevens – faced each other at the Fatorda on Tuesday night. The Highlanders have struggled all season, but a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Odisha puts them at risk of sinking to the bottom of the table, provided the hitherto winless East Bengal win their game in hand.
The two sides struggled for dominance in the early stages while creating some half-chances. At one end, Odisha’s Sahil Panwar struck the ball goalwards after it had fallen kindly to him from a corner, but bodies in the way took it wide of the intended target. At the other end, VP Suhair created troubles for the Odisha defence before delivering a square pass to Lalkhawpuimawia – only for the forward to miss his shot.
Odisha broke the deadlock in the 17th minute through a goal entirely of Aridai Cabrera’s making. The Spaniard received the ball on the left flank by the touchline, drove inside, beat Provat Lakra with his pace, and then held off his challenge before squaring it to Daniel Lalhlimpuia for the tap-in.
Five minutes later, Cabrera scored himself; he received a scooped pass from Javi Hernandez in the left-centre of the box, cut inside, and took the shot – the ball squirmed below Mirshad Michu and ended up in the back of the net.
A minute later, Suhair spurned a glorious opportunity to pull NorthEast United right back into the game as he headed wide from close range. Shortly after the half-hour mark, Odisha survived another scare as Lakra’s cross evaded everyone inside the box and came off the far upright.
Shortly after the interval, Mirshad denied Javi from distance before Victor Mongil shot narrowly wide on the follow-up. Minutes later, at the other end, Hernan Santana hit the crossbar with a sensational volley from the left, but NorthEast United’s efforts continued to be in vain.
The Highlanders had the ball in the back of the net in the 87th minute through Laldanmawia Ralte, only for the referee to pull the goal back for an apparent offside in the build-up.
The loss means NorthEast United are just three points ahead of basement club East Bengal, having played a game more. Odisha, meanwhile, are up to fifth despite a period of inconsistency.
