Goa: Jonathas Cristian’s second-half goal helped Odisha FC jump to second place in the points table in the 2021-22 Indian Super League (ISL) at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco on Friday. Odisha secured a 1-0 win over NorthEast United FC.
NorthEast United were the ones who started on the front foot when Deshorn Brown dribbled past two defenders early on and fired wide from an acute angle. From the very beginning, it was all about the Highlanders.
Brown was at the attacking end again, he tried to dribble past a few of Odisha defenders after he found goalkeeper Mirshad Michu with a long ball, but the home side averted the danger.
In the second half, Odisha found a golden opportunity to draw out the first blood, it was Javier Hernandez who headed wide soon after he was fed a lovely through ball from Aridai. Next, it was Frenchman Mathias Coureur who failed to make the most of a free header, he nodded wide from a very close range.
Finally, the deadlock was broken in the 81st minute when two of the substitutes Thoiba Singh and Jonathas combined and brought out a well-drilled goal. Thoiba came in place of Isaac Chhakchhuak in 62 minutes.
He did well to cross for Jonathas who produced a drop header and left a diving Mirshad with no chance. In the final minutes, NorthEast tried hard to look for an equalizer but Odisha did well to keep them at bay and ensured they keep their good form run going.
Odisha is now nine points from four matches, and now are three behind league leaders Mumbai City FC who attained 12 points from five games. NorthEast, however, dropped to the ninth position with four points from five games.
