ISL-9: Odisha FC Win 3-1 To Close In On Playoff Berth

Pic courtesy Twitter/Odisha Sports

Guwahati: Odisha FC moved a step closer to a playoff berth in ISL-9 after beating NorthEast United FC 3-1 here on Friday night.

The comfortable victory took Odisha FC to fifth place with 30 points, and a match in hand.

The top six teams in the 11-team league will make the playoffs cut, and the Juggernauts can seal a berth with a draw in their final league, against Jamshedpur FC at home on February 22.

They might qualify even if they lose against Jamshedpur FC, but will need some results, of other playoff contenders ATK Mohun Bagan and FC Goa, to go their way.

ATK Mohun Bagan have 28 points with 2 matches to play, while FC Goa sit on 27 points with their last game remaining.

Mumbai City FC (46 points), Hyderabad FC (39), Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC (31 each) have already sealed playoff berths.

Odisha took the lead against the bottom-placed NEUFC in the 36th minute. Nandhakumar Sekar scored with a scorching shot following a corner from Raynier Fernandes.

Crossing over with a slender lead, Victor Rodriguez added a second with a crisp finish off a Saul Crespo assist.

Diego Mauricio scored from a penalty after 84 minutes to put the game beyond NEUFC. The home team got a consolation goal when won a penalty and himself converted it.