ISL 7: NorthEast United thrash Odisha, moves to third spot

Goals from Luis Machado (9', 24') and Deshorn Brown (19') moved the Highlanders to third and two points clear of both Hyderabad and Goa

Goa: NorthEast United took advantage of both their rivals for the top-four spot — FC Goa and Hyderabad FC — dropping points, with a convincing 3-1 victory over Odisha FC in the Hero Indian Super League at the Tilak Maidan Stadium here on Sunday.

Goals from Luis Machado (9′, 24′) and Deshorn Brown (19′) moved the Highlanders to third and two points clear of both Hyderabad and Goa. With the latter two teams taking on each other in their final game, NorthEast are now heavy favourites to grab a playoff spot. Bradden Inman (45′) netted a consolation for Odisha.

NEUFC started the game at a furious pace and only needed nine minutes to come up with the first goal. Ashutosh Mehta found Machado with an accurate cross and the latter hit it first time past a diving Arshdeep Singh. It was no less than what NorthEast United deserved given the attack intent they showed in the first period of the match.

A second came ten minutes later through Brown. Federico Gallego entered the Odisha half with the ball and threaded through a pass for the new recruit, who had been enjoying a fruitful stint since his arrival from Bengaluru FC. The Jamaican slotted home with a sublime finish.

Another five minutes later, NEUFC had their third goal, Gallego again at the centre of things. He spotted Machado making a run into the box and found him with an accurate looping ball. Machado made no mistake and headed the ball past the onrushing Arshdeep. There seemed to be no way back for Odisha from there.

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