NorthEast United started brightly and created the first clear chance in the fifth minute. Nikola Ninković connected with an excellent cross from Jithin MS, but his right-footed effort was kept out by Odisha goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari. The hosts responded soon after, with Everton Nascimento attempting a long-range effort from around 35 yards that sailed wide.

The Highlanders continued to threaten, and Ajaraie came close to breaking the deadlock after latching onto a well-weighted through ball and evading his marker. However, Tiwari was once again alert to make the save and keep Odisha on level terms. Despite opportunities at both ends, neither side managed to find a breakthrough in the opening half.

The second half saw both teams turn to their benches in search of a decisive goal. Odisha introduced Nandhakumar Sekar in the 67th minute before bringing on Rahim Ali and Manuel Molina as the match progressed. NorthEast United responded with the introductions of Parthib Gogoi and Ethyan González, while Redeem Tlang and Imran Khan were also brought on late in the contest.

As the game entered stoppage time, NorthEast United pushed harder for a winner. Moyano came close in the first minute of added time, curling a right-footed effort narrowly wide after being set up by substitute Tlang.

The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Stephen Eze was penalised for handball inside the box following a corner from Gogoi. Referee K. Ramdasan pointed to the spot, handing NorthEast United a golden opportunity to claim victory. Ajaraie stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort struck the woodwork, leaving the Highlanders agonisingly short of a late winner.

The missed penalty proved to be the final action of the match, with both teams settling for a point apiece. While Odisha will take encouragement from their defensive resilience and Tiwari’s crucial saves, NorthEast United will rue the missed opportunity to extend their winning run and move three points clear at the top of the table

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The result extended NorthEast United’s unbeaten run in the Durand Cup to 14 matches, with the defending champions yet to taste defeat in the competition since 2023. The Highlanders once again underlined their credentials as they continue their push towards the knockout stages.

NorthEast United started with an attacking approach and immediately put Karbi Anglong under pressure. Their dominance was rewarded in the seventh minute when they were awarded a penalty after Junior Onguene Nkengue brought down Ajaraie inside the box. The Moroccan forward stepped up and calmly sent goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh the wrong way to give his side an early lead.

Karbi Anglong, however, showed tremendous resilience and found an unexpected equaliser in the 28th minute. A misplaced pass from Soraisham Dinesh Singh handed possession to Nkengue, who made amends for his earlier error by keeping his composure and finishing from close range to make it 1-1.

The Highlanders continued to create opportunities before the break, with Ajaraie forcing an excellent save from a free-kick, but Karbi Anglong’s organised defensive approach ensured the teams went into halftime level.

NorthEast United made their intentions clear immediately after the restart. Head coach Juan Pedro Benali introduced Parthib Sunder Gogoi and Macarton Louis Nickson, and the changes had an instant impact. Just three minutes into the second half, Gogoi picked out Ajaraie inside the box, allowing the forward to produce a precise left-footed finish and restore the Highlanders’ lead.

Ajaraie continued to threaten in search of a hat-trick, while Karbi Anglong attempted to respond through counter-attacks. The hosts came close on occasions, but NorthEast gradually began to regain control of the contest.

The defending champions eventually put the result beyond doubt in the 83rd minute. Buanthanglun Samte delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Macarton rose highest and directed a powerful header beyond the goalkeeper to make it 3-1.

There was still time for one more moment of celebration. Spanish debutant Etyan Gonzalez Morales had already gone close to finding the net before finally getting his opportunity deep into stoppage time. Abdul Rabeeh produced a brilliant run down the left before delivering a low cross, and Etyan calmly finished from close range to score on his Indian football debut and complete the 4-1 victory.

The result strengthens NorthEast United’s position in Group F and keeps their impressive Durand Cup defence firmly on track. With Ajaraie continuing to lead the attack and Benali’s substitutes making a decisive impact, the Highlanders look increasingly well equipped to challenge for back-to-back Durand Cup titles.

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Goals from Jairo Samperio and Dinesh Singh Soraisham secured all three points for the Highlanders, who climbed to ninth place in the standings to end their season on a positive note. Mohammedan SC, meanwhile, concluded a difficult campaign at the bottom of the table without registering a win.

The game began openly, with both sides showing attacking intent from the outset. NorthEast looked dangerous through Jithin M.S on the wings, while Mohammedan relied on Rochharzela and Adison Singh to create opportunities in transition.

The visitors nearly struck first in the 13th minute when Adison cut inside and fired a low effort towards goal, but Dipesh Chauhan gathered comfortably after a slight deflection.

NorthEast responded strongly and took the lead in the 19th minute. A well-delivered corner from Jithin found Jairo Samperio, who guided a smart header into the far corner to put the hosts ahead.

As the half progressed, the Highlanders gradually took control, using the flanks effectively to stretch the Mohammedan defence. Jairo almost doubled his tally later in the half, while Andres Jose Rodriguez Gaitan came close from a free-kick that clipped the crossbar.

The hosts eventually added a second goal in first-half stoppage time through Dinesh Singh Soraisham. A cleverly worked short-corner routine ended with Dinesh striking from outside the box, with the effort taking a deflection before finding the back of the net for his first ISL goal.

NorthEast continued to dominate after the break and created several opportunities to increase their advantage. Jithin, Robin Yadav, and Gaitan all came close, while Jairo remained a constant threat in the attacking third.

Mohammedan continued to battle and showed determination despite the scoreline, but struggled to create clear openings against a disciplined NorthEast backline.

The Highlanders comfortably managed the closing stages to secure a deserved victory and finish their season with momentum, while Mohammedan SC’s difficult campaign came to an end despite another spirited effort.

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The opening stages of the match were evenly contested, with both sides enjoying spells of possession but struggling to create clear chances. Jamshedpur came closest in the first half when Messi Bouli rose to meet a cross from Mohammed Sanan in the 19th minute, but his header drifted just wide of the target.

NorthEast also threatened through Macarton Nickson, whose long-range effort was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Albino Gomes. The hosts showed promising attacking intent but were unable to break the deadlock before half-time.

The breakthrough arrived early in the second half when Andy Rodríguez stepped up to take a free-kick in the 53rd minute. The midfielder delivered a precise left-footed strike into the bottom corner to put NorthEast United ahead.

Jamshedpur FC responded with increased attacking pressure and found their equaliser in the 68th minute. Messi Bouli calmly converted from the penalty spot after being brought down inside the box, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 1–1.

However, the parity lasted only briefly. Just a minute later, Rodríguez once again made his mark on the game. Collecting the ball outside the penalty area, he unleashed another accurate left-footed strike that beat the goalkeeper and restored the Highlanders’ lead.

Jamshedpur continued pushing forward in search of another equaliser, but their efforts failed to produce a breakthrough as the NorthEast defence held firm in the closing stages.

The final whistle confirmed a 2–1 victory for NorthEast United FC, with Rodríguez’s impressive brace guiding the Highlanders to their first win of the season.

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The opening half saw both sides create opportunities but struggle to find the finishing touch. NorthEast United started brightly with a few early chances from set-pieces, while Punjab also looked dangerous through Daniel Ramírez and Nsungusi Jr. Effiong. Despite several promising moments at both ends, neither team managed to break the deadlock before half-time.

NorthEast United finally found the breakthrough around the hour mark when Parthib Gogoi reacted quickly to a loose ball and drove forward before finishing calmly past goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh to give the visitors the lead.

However, Punjab FC responded almost immediately. Substitute Suhail made a strong run down the left flank before cutting the ball back into the box for Nsungusi Jr. Effiong, who finished from close range to level the score just three minutes later.

The hosts looked more determined to push for a winner in the closing stages, creating a few late chances. Substitute Samir Zeljković even found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

In the end, both sides had to settle for a share of the points after an evenly contested encounter. The result sees Punjab FC move up one place in the standings, while NorthEast United continue their campaign with another draw.

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The first half was evenly contested, with FC Goa dominating possession and creating several chances. NorthEast United’s defence, led by Mirshad Michu in goal, stood tall to keep the game goalless at the break.

The second half came alive in dramatic fashion. FC Goa opened the scoring through Sahil Tavora in the 64th minute after a rebound fell kindly for him inside the box. However, NorthEast United responded almost immediately. Just four minutes later, Chema Núñez equalised with a composed finish following a quick counterattack that caught the Goan defence off guard.

Buoyed by the equaliser, the Highlanders pushed forward with renewed confidence and found the winner in the 76th minute. Defender Robin Yadav rose highest to meet a teasing cross, heading home to complete the turnaround and silence the Fatorda crowd.

Despite FC Goa’s late pressure, NorthEast United held firm to secure all three points and end their Super Cup journey with pride. The result showcased their fighting spirit, discipline, and belief, a perfect finish for a team that never stopped battling till the end.

While FC Goa have already booked their spot in the semi-finals, NorthEast United’s spirited win sends a strong message, that they are a team capable of matching and defeating the best on their day.

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NorthEast United began the match on the front foot and made their intent clear early on. In the 20th minute, Spanish midfielder Chema Núñez broke the deadlock with a composed finish that fell to him off the crossbar to give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead. Their momentum continued as Alaeddine Ajaraie doubled the advantage nine minutes later with a beautiful one touch finish, making it 2-0 and putting Jamshedpur under real pressure.

However, the Men of Steel refused to back down. Just before halftime, Pronay Halder pulled one back in the 44th minute with a clever header that reignited belief for Jamshedpur. The goal proved to be a turning point, shifting the game’s momentum in their favour heading into the second half.

After the break, Jamshedpur pressed relentlessly, looking for the equaliser. Despite NorthEast’s attempts to slow down the tempo, Jamshedpur’s persistence paid off deep into stoppage time when Halder once again came to the rescue, scoring his second of the night to make it 2-2.

The draw means Jamshedpur FC remain in contention for a knockout spot, depending on their final group-stage result and other outcomes in Group B. NorthEast United, on the other hand, will see this as two points dropped after letting a comfortable lead slip away.

For the fans, it was a thrilling contest filled with late drama, and end-to-end football.

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Languishing in ninth place after a 0-2 loss to Mumbai City FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, NorthEast United have just one victory, one draw and a goal difference of (-)5 to show for their efforts. Their shambolic displays mean they have just four points, one more than bottom-placed Delhi Dynamos. For the record, they’ve scored two and conceded seven goals.

In the post-match press conference, the Portuguese coach rued his team’s wastefulness in front of goal. Concurring with the journalist who pointed out that NorthEast players were creating several chances but failing to convert those into goals, de Deus said, “I am frustrated and what you said is correct. We created so many chances. We should win games because we have more chances than the opponents. My boys came here to get a different result. So let’s work hard, let’s be patient and let’s try to let this moment pass. It is not fair but this is football.”

The 41-year-old former left-back, whose professional career spanned nearly two decades, however, defended his tactics. “We can change the strategy. The problem is (not just) the strategy and the players who are playing or the coach who is coaching. We must be better with the (finer) details (of execution) because that is what is making us lose the game. You don’t need to be an expert to understand that. You don’t have six or seven great opportunities to score (if the strategy happens to be incorrect). We are disappointed with the results but if you stay depressed with the situation, it is not going to solve anything.”

The coach has a point. His players have made a habit of making a mess of goal-scoring chances. “Sometimes, the ball hits the post. Sometimes, it hits the foot or head of an opposition player and we end up not scoring. Let’s try to solve the problem. That’s all I can say,” he said.

De Deus needs to address the team’s defensive frailties too. After all, both goals scored by Mumbai City FC were a result of scrappy, sloppy defending in both halves. First, Ravi Kumar ran out of his area to challenge Singh, and the 31-year-old forward clinically tapped the ball in between the goalkeeper’s legs to find the goal from nearly 20 yards away. Singh doubled Mumbai City’s advantage in the second half, with Cameroonian midfielder Achille Emana providing the assist yet again, this time rather selflessly in a two-on-one scenario with the goalkeeper.

NorthEast will now travel to Pune, where they face FC Pune City on December 30. Their next home game is some time away, on January 6. And de Deus will hope that his boys sort out their frailties, both in front of goal and at the back, when they turn up in front of their loyal fans next time around.

Also Read: Balwant scores braces as Mumbai City enter top four

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Balwant Singh of Mumbai City FC slots the ball past the keeper during match 28 of the Hero Indian Super League between NorthEast United FC and Mumbai City FC held at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati India on the 20th December 2017
Photo by: Ron Gaunt / ISL / SPORTZPICS

The win took Mumbai into the top four of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) table, and banished the memories of a disappointing 0-1 loss against ATK at home.

The first goal was a howler as NorthEast’s goalkeeper, Ravi Kumar, ran out of his area to challenge Balwant, with the Indian simply having to arrange it past him into a gaping goal from outside the box. The Indian looked as surprised as did all the fans, but it was his precision that eventually counted.

Mumbai City put the result out of doubt with a second goal in the 68th minute. A lapse in concentration from Rowllin Borges allowed Emana into a dangerous area from where he squared the ball for Balwant. With an open goal awaiting him for the second time in the match, he made no mistake whatsoever.

The goal came minutes after Balwant had missed a chance from close range. Emana was the man at it again, but his cross was headed over from yards away in an inexplicable miss. But while Balwant took credit for the goals, it was Emana who caused the most trouble for NorthEast. The attacking midfielder created room for himself brilliantly on the hour mark, but this time Ravi Kumar got down sharply to make a stop.

Also Read: Chennai City register 1st win as Churchill Brothers losing streak continues

NorthEast piled on the pressure and sent fizzing crosses into the box at will, but a lack of cutting edge in front of goal meant those chances went abegging. It was the story of the match, so to speak:  NorthEast’s failure in front of goal. They saw Marcinho smack the post with an attempt and Seiminlen Doungel miss from point-blank range before Mumbai’s goals. This profligacy in front of goal will certainly be a problem in their quest to qualify for the business end of the Hero ISL.

Their coach, Joao de Deus, was vociferously discussing tactics with his players and they seemed to benefit from it with some excellent dominance. However, these spells counted for nothing. The head coach will be pleased with their performance and how they made Mumbai City work hard for a win, but he will also know that it counts for nothing if his team can’t score.

NorthEast now sit in lowly ninth position and have scored just two goals in six matches. NorthEast play promising football and Mumbai dish out a style that is result-oriented. In the end, it was the latter that mattered.

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Mumbai City FC players warm up before the start of the match 27 of the Hero Indian Super League between Mumbai City FC and ATK held at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai India on the 17th December 2017
Photo by: Vipin Pawar / ISL / SPORTZPICS

João Carlos Pires de Deus’s side ha?s found it difficult to breach the opposition defence and score goals, so much so that the Highlanders have netted a grand total of two goals thus far.

Their opponents for tomorrow’s game at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Mumbai City FC, are facing nothing of that sort. Alexandre Guimarães team will, in fact, be yearning to relaunch their bid to overtake local rivals FC Pune City and occupy a spot in the top four of the table. This is something they failed to do in their last game, against ATK at home.

?While talking to reporters on Tuesday, João acknowledged that his team needs to score more goals. But the Portuguese emphasised that “it’s too early” to predict which four teams qualify for the business end of the season. “We have played five games but no one wins or loses the league after that many games. This is a different type of competition. Even the team that finishes at the top of the table doesn’t win the league. But, of course, we have to win more games and score more goals,” the Portuguese coach said.?

?NorthEast United FC will be without their first choice goalkeeper TP Rehenesh after he received a direct red card in their last game against Kerala Blasters. But more worryingly for him, it seems he has lost João’s confidence.

?When asked about his choice of goalkeeper for Wednesday’s game, João said,? ?”When we started the season, we had three keepers. Obviously TP played the first five because the coach though he was the best goalkeeper. Now the coach doesn’t think he is the best. Well, now I feel that Ravi Kumar is the best.”

M?umbai City FC will also be without midfielder Sehnaj Singh. The 24-year-old is serving a one-game suspension after having picked up his fourth yellow card of the season last time out. Guimarães, however, refused to reveal who will replace Sehnaj for the game. “It’s a long night. I still have to think about that,” he said.

Having played their last game just three days ago, the Costa Rican tactician did talk about their long travels and tough competition this season. “We played our last game last Sunday and we had to travel immediately for our next game. But it’s the same with all the teams and I’m looking forward to playing on this (NEUFC) pitch which is one of the best in the league.

Also Read: Lajong earn bragging rights of first North-eastern derby

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