ISL 5: 10-man NorthEast United hold Jamshedpur to 1-1 draw

A 10-man NorthEast United held Jamshedpur FC to a 1-1 draw at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Friday. The draw helped the ‘Highlanders’ climb back into the top of the table with eight points after four matches.

Jamshedpur are fourth with six points from the same number of matches. But are just two behind NorthEast, with Bengaluru and FC Goa occupying the second and third place. Both have seven points after three round of matches.

Bartholomew Obgeche gave the hosts an early lead but Farukh Chaudhary equalised for Jamshedpur after NorthEast United were reduced to 10 men following the straight red of Mislav Komorski in the additional time of first half.

Enjoying a greater ball possession and creating plenty of chances to score, NorthEast United nearly doubled their score when Redeem Tlang forced Jamshedpur goalkeeper Subrata Paul into an excellent save. But a moment of madness saw them being reduced to a man down after Komorski flung his elbow on Pablo Morgado’s face.

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His side had struggled to send a ball into the NorthEast United and looking for more attacking approach Jamshedpur coach Cesar Fernando replaced defender Pratik Chaudhari for winger Michael Soosairaj.

The move worked and just four minutes into the second half the visitors pulled the goal back through Farukh. Regan failed to clear a long ball from the Jamshedpur backline and in no time he had Pablo Morgado on his back. The Spaniard snatched the ball before delivering a sumptuous cross, which Farukh finished with a gorgeous left-footer leaving Pawan Kumar with no chance. The only time Jamshedpur came close to scoring other than the goal itself was immediately after NorthEast United had taken the lead. Carlos Calvo’s cross meant for Sumeet Passi travelled to goal leaving Kumar completely stranded but the ball hit the upright before running away for a goal-kick.

Minutes before that NorthEast United had taken the lead when Mario Arques gave the ball away. The ball was intercepted by Federico Gallego, who found Ogbeche right outside the box – the striker first deceived custodian Paul with a brilliant first touch before toe-poking it past him to give the ‘Highlanders’ the lead.

It was redemption for Ogbeche, who had come the closest to scoring with the first opportunity of the game when Gallego charged down the right flank before playing the ball for the former PSG forward. But his shot was woefully out of target from a close quarter.

Nikhil Kadam was sacrificed for defender Gurwinder Singh after NorthEas United were reduced to 10-man, while Ferrando brought on marquee signing Tim Cahill with half an hour to play.

But despite coming close on numerous occasions, Jamshedpur failed to find the net as NorthEast hung on to the 1-1 draw.