Odisha FC 2-1 NorthEast United FC: 3 reasons why Odisha FC beat the Highlanders

NorthEast United FC travelled to Bhubaneswar to play their penultimate away game in the Indian Super League 2019-20. Their opponents and host Odisha FC had everything to play for as they still had a chance of making the playoffs in their maiden Indian Super League season. The Highlanders, on the other hand, only had pride at stake as their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs ended weeks ago. The game was a must-win game for Odisha FC.

The game started on a positive note with both the teams playing open aggressive football. NorthEast United FC took the lead in the 24th minute through a Martin Chaves goal which was assisted brilliantly by Federico Gallego.

Odisha FC made two changes at half time by bringing in Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Daniel Lalhlimpuia. The changes worked immediately as Odisha equalised within the first 40 seconds of the second half. Perez Guedes scored the winner for Odisha FC in the 72nd minute to keep Odisha's hopes of qualifying for the playoffs alive. At full time the scoreboard read 2-1 in favour of Odisha FC.

It was Khalid Jamil's first match as the interim head coach of NorthEast United FC, and it was not the result which the I-League winning coach wanted.

On that note let us take a look at three reasons why Odisha FC beat NorthEast United FC.

#3 Josep Gombau's half time talk works to perfection

Odisha FC took the lead through Onwu at the start of the second half. (Image: ISL)

Odisha FC didn't have a bad first half, and yet they went into the break trailing by a goal to nil. It wasn't as if Odisha hadn't created chances in the first half, but their finishing and link-up play was weak in the first half.

At half time Odisha FC made two changes by substituting Shubham Sarangi and Vinit Rai for Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Daniel Lalhlimpuia. The changes meant that Odisha shifted to 3-4-3 formation. The move worked immediately as Odisha equalised within the first minute of the second half through a Manuel Onwu goal from a Nandhakumar Cross.

The change in formation had an immense effect on the game as Odisha took full control of the game and dictated the tempo of the game according to their need.

The trio of Onwu, Daniel, and Jerry completely turned the game on its head as the trio ran havoc in the NorthEast United defence. The use of the wings more in the second half paid dividends as it stretched the NorthEast United defence creating a lot of openings for the Odisha attackers. Odisha FC has scored more than 50% of their goals through crosses and Gombau used this stat to perfection today.

#2 All Indian back-line falters for NorthEast United FC

The all Indian backline of NorthEast United FC had a torrid time today (Image: ISL)

Mislav Komorski the Croatian centre back was already ruled out for the tie against Odisha FC by getting himself injured the previous game. Kai Hearings who was supposed to start today and was also named in the initial playing eleven didn't take the field due to some last-minute health issues.

With both their first-choice centre backs injured NorthEast United had no other option but to opt for an all Indian backline. Reagan Singh, Nim Dorjee Taman, Wayne Vaz and Rakesh Pradhan made up the back four for the Highlanders.

Right from the initial few minutes of the game, it became evident that the NorthEast United defence was far from a cohesive unit. The lack of communication between the defenders was apparent on more than a few occasions of the game.

The Highlanders also missed their talismanic young, dynamic midfielder Lalengmawia who has been absolutely superb in the last few games.

The inexperience of the backline showed as passes went astray and gaps kept opening up for the Odisha FC attackers to exploit.

Had NorthEast United FC's keeper Subhasish Roy Choudhury not made a couple of good saves the scoreline could have been even more prominent in favour of Odisha FC.

#1 NorthEast United's final third problems continue to haunt them

Andy Keogh has failed to solve NorthEast United FC's goal-scoring problems. (Image: ISL)

NorthEast United FC had a barren goal-scoring period of five games during which the team from Guwahati had failed to score in five games. In their last match against Jamshedpur FC, the Highlanders scored three goals, and many people thought that maybe the issues in the final third had been resolved. But, after watching today's game, it is evident that the goal-scoring spree of the last game was just an anomaly and the issues continue to haunt NorthEast United FC.

With the departure of Asamoah Gyan who is still NorthEast United's top goalscorer this season the team has been facing a big goal-scoring crunch. Andy Keogh, the new Irish striker for NorthEast United FC, has not been having the best of spells in terms of form. The striker has been guilty of squandering a lot of good chances.

It is just not his misses but also his link-up with the midfield which has resulted in such a poor performance in front of goal. Keogh's lack of understanding with his teammates also meant that NorthEast United gave away possession of the ball very quickly in the final third.

Khalid Jamil has very few options with him and if he wants to end the season on a high then maybe it is time NorthEast United FC gamble with playing Deepu Mirdha upfront as the striker and use some of the other foreigners in defence and midfield.