Fatorda (Goa): Odisha FC rode a first-half blitz to beat NorthEast United FC 2-0 in their ISL-8 clash at the Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday evening.
Odisha FC’s fifth win in 11 matches this season took their tally to 16 points as they jumped from ninth place to fifth in the 11-team standings. Odisha FC are now just one point adrift of third-placed Hyderabad FC and No. 4 team Mumbai City FC.
Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC occupy the top two places with 20 and 19 points, respectively.
Playing their first match under interim head coach Kino Garcia, Odisha FC went ahead through Daniel Lahlimpuia after 17 minutes. Spanish striker Aridai Suarez doubled the lead six minutes later.
NEUFC came hard at Odisha FC in the second half, and had a ‘goal’ disallowed for off-side.
Odisha FC created a couple of clear openings also, only to be denied by NorthEast goalkeeper Mirshad Michu.
Odisha FC have a long break before their next match – against Hyderabad FC on January 27.
