NorthEast United FC Claims First Victory of ISL Season with Andy Rodriguez's Brace

NorthEast United FC Triumphs Over Jamshedpur FC

In a thrilling encounter at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, NorthEast United FC secured their inaugural win of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season, defeating Jamshedpur FC 2-1 on Sunday. Andy Rodriguez was the star of the match, netting both goals for the Highlanders, as reported by a local media outlet.

This victory propelled NorthEast United to seventh place in the league standings with six points, while Jamshedpur FC, despite suffering their first loss, remains in second position with 12 points. Rodriguez's outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Match title.

Head coach Juan Pedro Benali made strategic changes to his lineup, introducing Bekey Oram and Laishram Danny Meitei in midfield, along with defender Dinesh Singh, adopting a 4-3-2-1 formation. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur's Owen Coyle also adjusted his midfield, bringing in Rei Tachikawa and Rosenberg Gabriel while maintaining their tactical approach.

The match kicked off with both teams exchanging possession, yet neither could penetrate the final third effectively. Jamshedpur's goalkeeper, Albino Gomes, made a crucial clearance in the 13th minute to thwart a potential attack from the hosts.

The first significant opportunity came in the 19th minute when Messi Bouli attempted a header from Mohammed Sanan's cross, but it went just wide. NorthEast quickly retaliated, with Macarton Nickson testing Gomes from distance, though the keeper was equal to the task.

NorthEast began to assert themselves offensively, with Parthib Gogoi causing problems for the defense before being fouled by Pratik Chaudhari in the 27th minute. An injury to captain Michel Zabaco forced an early substitution in the 39th minute, with Asheer Akhtar stepping in. Just before halftime, Danny Meitei nearly scored from an Andy Rodriguez corner, but the first half ended without any goals.

Eight minutes into the second half, NorthEast broke the deadlock. Rodriguez took a free-kick in the 53rd minute, delivering a precise left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner, giving the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.

Jamshedpur responded with attempts from Nikola Stojanovic and Rei Tachikawa, but neither could find the target. Stojanovic did force a save from Gurmeet Singh in the 58th minute as the visitors ramped up their pressure.

A penalty was awarded to Jamshedpur in the 66th minute when Bouli was fouled by Dinesh Singh. Bouli converted the penalty in the 68th minute, leveling the score at 1-1.

However, NorthEast quickly regained the lead. Just a minute later, Rodriguez struck again, firing a left-footed shot into the net from the edge of the box, making it 2-1 in the 69th minute.

Jamshedpur continued to push for an equalizer, with Bouli attempting a long-range shot in the 79th minute that went wide. NorthEast also sought to extend their lead, but Ankith Padmanabhan's effort in the 85th minute was blocked.

In the 89th minute, substitute Thoi Singh came close to scoring, firing just wide from inside the box. Jamshedpur pressed forward in stoppage time, but Stojanovic's long-range attempt in injury time missed the target.

The match concluded with a 2-1 victory for NorthEast United FC, thanks to Andy Rodriguez's impressive brace, marking the Highlanders' first win of the season.