NorthEast United FC Claims First Victory of the Season Against Jamshedpur FC
Match Overview
In an exciting clash at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on March 15, 2026, NorthEast United FC triumphed over Jamshedpur FC with a score of 2-1 in the Indian Super League 2025-26 season. This victory marked the Highlanders' first win of the season, elevating them to seventh place in the standings with six points, while Jamshedpur FC, despite the loss, remained in second place with 12 points. Andy Rodríguez was named Player of the Match for his impressive two-goal performance.
NorthEast United's head coach, Juan Pedro Benali, made three changes to the starting lineup, introducing Bekey Oram and Laishram Danny Meitei in midfield, along with defender Dinesh Singh, adopting a 4-3-2-1 formation. On the other hand, Jamshedpur FC's coach, Owen Coyle, made two adjustments in midfield, bringing in Rei Tachikawa and Rosenberg Gabriel while maintaining the same tactical approach.
The match kicked off with both teams exchanging possession, but neither could penetrate the final third effectively. Jamshedpur's goalkeeper, Albino Gomes, made a crucial clearance in the 13th minute, thwarting a potential attack from the hosts. The first significant chance came in the 19th minute when Messi Bouli attempted a header from Mohammed Sanan’s cross, but it went just wide. NorthEast quickly responded with Macarton Nickson testing Gomes from distance, though the shot was comfortably saved.
As the game progressed, NorthEast began to look more threatening, with Parthib Gogoi causing problems for the Jamshedpur defense. However, the Highlanders faced an early setback when captain Míchel Zabaco had to be substituted due to a hamstring injury in the 39th minute, with Asheer Akhtar taking his place. Just before halftime, NorthEast nearly scored when Danny Meitei headed over from an Andy Rodríguez corner, leaving the first half goalless.
The breakthrough came for NorthEast eight minutes into the second half. In the 53rd minute, Andy Rodríguez took a free-kick and expertly placed it into the bottom-right corner, giving his team 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.
In the 66th minute, Jamshedpur was awarded a penalty after Bouli was fouled in the box 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 when Rodríguez struck again 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. The hosts came close again in the 89th minute when substitute Thoi Singh shot narrowly 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 Rodríguez's brace, securing the Highlanders' first win of the season.