(Football news) A second half goal by Jonathan Cristian was enough to ensure Odisha FC defeated NorthEast United FC 1-0 in the Indian Super League at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco. With this result, Odisha climbed to second place on the Indian Super League table with nine points from four matches, one point ahead of third place Jamshedpur FC while three points behind reigning champions Mumbai City FC who have 12 points from five games. NorthEast United dropped to ninth position with four points from five games and are one point ahead of FC Goa and level on points with 8th place Bengaluru FC.

NorthEast United FC started the match on a bright note as Deshorn Brown went past two defenders with skilful dribbling but fired his shot wide from a tight angle. The Highlands dominated proceedings in the opening periods of the match with the only chance Odisha FC getting was when Spanish footballer Arindam Suarez’s curling effort touched the crossbar and went out. Brown continued to threaten the Odisha defenders with NorthEast goalkeeper Mirshad Michu finding the 30 year old with a long ball but the opportunity was squandered.

Five minutes later, Brown skipped past a few Odisha FC defenders and made a darting run into the box but could not convert the opportunity after taking too many touches of the ball. Odisha FC managed to get back into the game in the second half with Javier Hernandez scuffing a golden opportunity when he headed wide after an enticing through ball from Aridai. Mathias Coureur also squandered his opportunity to capitalize on a free header by nodding wide from close range but the deadlock was finally broken in the 81st minute after good combination play from the two substitutes Thoiba Singh and Jonathas in the 81st minute.

Thoiba was brought into the match in place of Isaac Chhakchhuak in the 62nd minute while Liridon Krasniqi made way for Jonathas at the same time. It was Jonathas who found the back of the net when Thoiba’s cross resulted in a drop header that Mirshad Michu had no chance of saving. Despite NorthEast United FC trying to salvage a draw in the dying moments of the game, they failed to score a goal, thereby ensuring Odisha FC went back to winning ways after their 2-1 defeat against Kerala Blasters last Sunday.

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