Goa: A dominant NorthEast United beat Odisha FC 3-1 to get into the driver’s seat in the race for the playoff spots in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Sunday. With Hyderabad and FC Goa, NorthEast’s main rivals for a top-four slot, dropping points, Khalid Jamil’s side jumped to third on the league standings.
Goals from Luis Machado and Deshorn Brown moved NorthEast two points clear of both Hyderabad and Goa. With the latter two teams taking on each other in their final game, NorthEast are now heavy favourites to grab a playoff spot. Bradden Inman netted a consolation for Odisha.
The match started with a bang as the Portuguese winger Machado scored the first goal in the ninth minute, a clinical finish with his right foot. In the 19th minute, Brown scored the second for the Highlanders from Federico Gallego pass.
Machado was in action again in the 24th minute heading it home past rival custodian Arshdeep Singh from a Gallego. Brad Inman reduced the deficit for Odisha in the 45th minute.
In the second half, the highlight was a header from Machado which was beautifully saved by Arshdeep and NorthEast’s Gurjinder Kumar getting sent off in the 85th minute.
