NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) scrapped a win over Odisha FC thanks to a late winner from Asamoah Gyan in the Indian Super League (ISL) match on Saturday in Guwahati.
Xisco Hernandez cancelled out an early NEUFC lead given by Redeem Tlang in the 72nd minute. But a red card to defender Carlos Delgado immediately after cost Odisha its initiative as Gyan thundered home a header to seal all three points for the Highlanders.
Here are the major talking points from the night.
1) Gyan rescues NEUFC
There were plenty of expectations riding on Gyan's presence in the ISL and he delivered on them by netting the winner in the 85th minute in front of the home crowd. The Ghanian forward came close to opening his account in the draw to Bengaluru in the first gameweek when he struck the post. With the goal Gyan has endeared himself to the Highlanders' faithful and he will be raring to add more to his tally.
2) Jarni's tactics cede advantage briefly
After taking the lead in the second minute, NEUFC was happy concede possession to Odisha and try hit the opposition on the break. Odisha grew in to the game from around the half hour mark but lacked the penetration behind NEUFC's defence and the final pass. That eventually came when substitute Diawandou Diagne set up Xisco to toe-poke the equaliser.
3) Red card proves costly
A red card to center-back Delgado a minute after the goal took the wind out of Odisha's sail. The defender brought down Maxilimiliano Barreiro in what the referee considered a last man tackle, denying the attacker an opportunity to go through on goal. NEUFC, immediately brought on Lalthathanga Khawlhring, who provided the corner kick for Gyan's winner.
4) Defence a worry for Odisha
Odisha coach Josep Gombau will be unhappy with the manner in which his defence capitulated for NEUFC's goals. Tlang's goal came out of nothing as Martin Chaves took out Shubham Sarangi out of the equation with a flick over his head to release Panagiotis Triadis. Triadis then ran at the center-backs before setting up Tlang for the opening goal. For Gyan's strike, Diagne failed to check the run of the striker, who had a free header on goal.
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