KOLKATA: It was almost an encore of their Indian Super League opener as NorthEast United once again looked set for a very late win on Saturday as Odisha FC defender Stephen Eze conceded a penalty in the fifth minute of injury time.However, contrary to expectations, Alaaeddine Ajaraie’s spot kick beat goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwary but not the woodwork as the match at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar ended in a goalless draw.It was, in fact, a fair result for the eighth-paced Juggernauts, who got their first point of the season, and their impressive defence, as the Highlanders failed to continue their winning run even as the point took them to the top of the table with seven points from three matches.The match began as a tactical battle between the coaches with TS Purushothaman resorting to a strong defensive shape that the hosts have been more used to over the seasons, with three centre-backs – Jeremy Zohminghlua, veteran Eze and Thoiba Singh Moirangthem – inside the six-yard box.It was a perfect answer to Juan Pedro Benali’s tactic of quick attack with Ajaraie in a more central role in combination with Nikola Ninkovic and aided by Jithin MS and Macarton Nickson from the wings.Jithin, who scored the winner in their opener against the mighty Mohun Bagan Super Giant, created the first NEUFC attack as early as in the third minute with a run from the right wing and beating a persistent Jeremy to send in a ball at the centre. But Odisha’s young custodian Hrithik Tiwary stood tall to parry the shot from Ninkovic towards safety.Ajaraie, away from his conventional position in the flanks, made a few impressive runs throughout the first half, especially in the 23rd and 28th minutes, down the middle, but after dodging and nutmegging the defenders, failed to produce the finish that his Spanish coach hoped for from the sidelines.Odisha, on the other hand, depended on counter-attacks as Everton Nascimento, Mahmoud Eid and K Lalrinfela waited in the opposition half to find a breakthrough.The best chance of the half came to Antonio Moyano in the 45th minute but, with only Tiwary to beat, he shot the ball too high to make a difference.Although devoid of a goal, the match continued to be an exciting affair with a proactive Jithin and skilful Ajaraie used all tricks in their bag to get past the Odisha defence. There were also physical duels, like the ones involving the young Blue Tigers and Highlanders attacker Pramveer Singh and Odisha skipper Lalthathanga Khawlhring or ‘Putieia’ in the middle.However, the scoreline stayed unchanged even as the ends were changed and both coaches brought in reinforcements.Even as the NEUFC attacks continued, with Ajaraie and Ninkovic coming very close to scoring throughout the second half, Everton and Eid combined near the NEUFC goal with some impressive moves, together with substitute Rahim Ali, only for the hard-working Nikhil Barla at the back and Gurmeet Singh in goal coming to NEUFC’s rescue.That was until the 95th minute of the match when all the hard work from Odisha looked to have been put paid by the outstretched hand of Eze inside the box.However, it was not to be as the right post saved Ajaraie’s penalty kick and Odisha’s day in front of the home crowd.
