Indian Super League: Ajaraie misses last-gasp penalty as Odisha hold off NEUFC

(From left) NEUFC’s Allaeddine Ajaraie and Jithin MS in action with Odisha FC’s Stephen Eze at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday (Photo Credit: NEUFC) KOLKATA: It was almost an encore to their Indian Super League opener as NorthEast United again looked set for a very late win on Saturday when Odisha FC defender Stephen Eze conceded a fifth-minute injury time penalty.However, contrary to expectations, Alaaeddine Ajarai’s spot-kick beat goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwary but not the woodwork as the match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar ended in a goalless draw.It was actually a fair result for the eighth-placed Juggernauts, who picked up their first point of the season, and their impressive defense as the Highlanders failed to continue their winning run, even though the point took them top of the table with seven points from three matches.The game started as a tactical battle between the coaches with TS Purushothaman resorting to a strong defensive line that the hosts were 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 the perfect answer to Juan Pedro Benali’s fast attacking tactics with Ajarai in a central role combined with Nikola Ninkovic and assisted by Jithin MS and Macarton Nickson from the wings.Jithin, who scored in his opening match against the mighty Mohun Bagan Super Giant, created NEUFC’s first attack in the third minute with a drive from the right wing, beating the persistent Jeremy to send the ball into the middle. But Odisha’s young custodian Hrithik Tiwary stood tall to deflect a shot from Ninkovic to safety.Far from his conventional position on the flanks, Ajaraie produced some impressive runs through the middle in the first half, particularly in the 23rd and 28th minutes, but after dodging and forcing defenders, he was unable to finish the kind of finish his Spanish coach had hoped for from the touchline.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.Antonio Moyano had the best chance of the half in the 45th minute, but with only Tiwary to beat, he fired the ball too high to convert.Although goalless, the match continued to be an exciting affair with a proactive Jithin and the skilful Ajaraie used all the tricks in his bag to get past the Odisha defence. There have also been physical battles like those involving young Blue Tigers and Highlanders striker Pramveer Singh and Odisha captain Lalthahanga Khawlhring or ‘Putieia’ in the middle.However, the score did not change even though the ends were changed and both coaches brought in reinforcements.Although NEUFC’s attacks continued, Ajaraie and Ninkovic came very close to scoring during the second half, Everton and Eid combining close to the NEUFC goal with some impressive moves, along with substitute Rahim Ali, only for the hard-working Nikhil Barla at the back and Gurmeet Singh in goal to come to NEUFC’s rescue.This lasted until the 95th minute of the match when all Odisha’s hard work seemed to have paid off with the outstretched hand of Eze in the box.However, it was not to be as the right post saved Ajarai’s penalty kick and Odisha’s day in front of the home crowd.