ISL 2024-25: Isak scores late as Odisha FC holds NorthEast United to 2-2 draw
ISL 2024-25: Isak scores late as Odisha FC holds NorthEast United to 2-2 draw
NorthEast United FC and Odisha FC played out a 2-2 draw during their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 clash at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Monday.
A record-equalling brace from Alaaeddine Ajaraie was not enough for the Highlanders as Thoiba Singh and Isak Vanlalruatfela scored timely strikes to salvage a point from the clash. With this result, NEUFC has dropped 17 points this season from winning positions.
Despite the draw, a brace from Ajaraie meant that he has scored 18 goals this season, matching the highest individual goals tally in an ISL season of Ferran Corominas (2017-18) and Bartholomew Ogbeche (2021-22).
In the first half, right after the drinks break, NEUFC had its most formidable chance yet of the game when Macarton Nickson unleashed Jithin MS on the right with a fantastic pass. The winger then squared it to an onrushing Nestor Albiach. Just when the Spaniard was setting up to take the shot on goal, Mourtada Fall came up with a brilliant tackle to deny him the opportunity.
The action continued in the second half with both teams getting loads of chances, but they lacked the extra bit of quality to hand their teams the decisive lead in this game. Hugo Boumous and Isak Vanlalruatfela came close to breaking the deadlock for OFC whereas Michel Zabaco and Nestor also squandered their chances to put the Highlanders in the lead.
However, NEUFC’s persistence paid off in the 67th minute when Redeem Tlang took the corner short and played it to Buanthanglun Samte. The right-back delivered an exquisite ball into the box for Ajaraie on the far post and the Moroccan made no mistake in slotting it home for his 17th goal of the ongoing season.
The visitors’ joy was short-lived as OFC secured the equaliser in the 78th minute, with Thoiba finding a way past Gurmeet from Isak’s inch-perfect cross from the left flank. In search of the winning goal, Juan Pedro Benali introduced Parthib Gogoi in the 80th minute, replacing Jithin.
In the 83rd minute, Ajaraie pulled NEUFC back into the lead when he headed it into the net past Amrinder from a free-kick delivered by Nestor. His intelligence allowed him to lose his marker in the box before making the right connection on a brilliant delivery.
In retaliation, Lobera unleashed Dorielton Gomes whereas Benali introduced Hamza Regragui to close out the match. However, things took a dramatic turn in the added time (90+3’) when Isak and Mauricio combined brilliantly before the youngster nestled the ball into the bottom left corner of Gurmeet’s net to pull the game back to level terms.
There was hardly any time left after OFC’s equaliser as both teams had to settle for a point despite putting everything on the line.
