ISL 2020-21: Khalid Jamil surprised at NorthEast United's hard-fought win over Odisha FC

By Team Newsable | First Published Feb 15, 2021, 11:18 AM IST

NorthEast United FC has risen to the third spot with this win in the Indian Super League 2020-21 table, while Odisha FC stays at the bottom of the table. Both the sides are yet to win the title to date. While NEU has been playing since 2014, Odisha made its debut last season.

NorthEast United FC beat Odisha FC in a commendable manner, 3-1, in the 2020-21 Indian Super League, at the Tilak Maidan in Goa, on Sunday. While NEU has risen to the third spot, Odisha continues to lurk at the rock-bottom of the table.

It all began with Luis Machado's opening strike in the ninth minute, followed by Deshorn Brown 10 minutes later. While Machado scored his second in the 24th, Bradden Inman pulled one back for Odisha at the stroke of half-time, which turned out to be a mere consolation, as NEU walked away with the win.

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Following the game, NEU boss, Khalid Jamil felt that although the scoreline looked comfortable, it was indeed a hard-fought win over Odisha, especially in the second half. "I don't think it was easy. It was a really difficult game. For us, it was important to finish the game to focus from the first to the last minute. The boys worked hard, so they deserved the three points. They are a good team; all the teams are good. Both teams worked very hard. We got three goals and that's how we won the game," he said, reports goal.com.

ALSO READ: Luis Machado's brace ensures comfortable win for NorthEast United FC over Odisha FC

"After the first half, we were thinking about scoring another goal. We finished the game. Throughout the game, we were thinking about just winning. All the remaining games are tough, especially the next game. So, it will not be easy. We have to work hard to get what we want," he added.

Meanwhile, Odisha's interim manager, Gerry Peyton rued the side's terrible performance in the opening half that killed it for itself. "How we finished the game is how we will go for the Goa game. Because in the first half, I have to agree that we weren't playing very well. We didn't get on the ball, we defended most of the time, but in the second half, we dictated the game. We will take that one to the Goa game. I want them to keep playing, combine well and look to score goals," he reckoned, reports Goal.

"The chances we had were not that clear cut. I thought their first goal was a very good finish. The timing of the run for the second goal was really good. It was cutting edge. Sometimes as a coach, you have to raise your hand up and admit their finishing was very good or the timing of the runs were good. They scored three goals and we scored one, and maybe, we did not have so many good chances," he concluded.

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