XtraTime Web Desk: The 10 men of NorthEast United FC held Jamshedpur FC to a 1-1 draw at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati after the home side had Mislav Komorski sent off in another absorbing Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 fixture.
The visitors made a raft of changes to their attacking line-up but found it difficult to create chances, despite having the larger share of the possession in the first half. The home side on the other hand, looked far more threatening and scored from almost nothing at the midway point of the first half. Mario Arques lost possession inside his box and allowed Ogbeche to turn neatly and slot home his fifth goal of the season.
The visitors, however, almost scored themselves soon after when Carlos Calvo’s cross hit the NorthEast crossbar to save Pawan Kumar’s blushes. In a half of few chances, Ogbeche looked like the only one capable of finding the net. The Nigerian had another instinctive effort five minutes later, but his shot just missed the post. Preferring to sit back and wait for their moment, NorthEast’s clever ploy almost paid off into first half added time when Redeem Tlang swung his boot from an acute angle only for the returning Subrata Paul to parry it away.
With the half-time whistle imminent, Komorski was given his marching orders by the referee for a foul on Calvo that prevented a Jamshedpur counter-attack. For all his side’s good work and one-goal advantage, Eelco Schattorie went into the interval as the more concerned of the two head coaches.
Recognizing their numerical advantage, the visitors went for an extra body in midfield and got their reward thanks to some lacklustre defending by Reagan Singh, who allowed Pablo Morgado to pick out a cross that was volleyed wonderfully by the onrushing Choudhary. The equalizer was the first of the 21-year old’s Hero ISL career.
Dominating almost the entire second half in terms of possession, Jamshedpur failed to break down a resolute Highlanders defence. Sumeet Passi provided a decent opening in the 78th minute when he came short and released Michael Soosairaj with a defence splitting pass. The Highlanders custodian though was equal to the task, getting down well to stop Soosairaj’s goal-bound effort.
With the match almost up, Mario Arques unleashed a decent drive from outside the box. His shot however, deflected wickedly wide much to the joy of a stranded Kumar in goal. The two backs of four deployed by Eelco Schattorie did well to limit the away side to minimal openings since going behind as both sides shared the spoils.