NorthEast United FC Triumphs Over Jamshedpur FC in ISL Clash

Match Overview

In an exciting encounter at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, NorthEast United FC secured a 2-1 victory against Jamshedpur FC during the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season. Andy Rodriguez was the star of the match, scoring both goals for the Highlanders.

Standings Update

With this win, NorthEast United FC climbed to seventh place in the league standings, accumulating six points. Conversely, Jamshedpur FC faced their first defeat of the season but remains in second place with 12 points.

Team Adjustments and First Half Highlights

NorthEast United's head coach, Juan Pedro Benali, made three changes to the starting eleven, 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 midfield changes, bringing in Rei Tachikawa and Rosenberg Gabriel while maintaining their tactical setup.

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 to thwart a potential attack from NorthEast.

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

NorthEast's Parthib Gogoi posed a threat to Jamshedpur's defense, earning a foul from center-back Pratik Chaudhari during a promising run. The Highlanders had to make an early substitution in the 39th minute when captain Michel Zabaco left the field due to a hamstring injury, with Asheer Akhtar stepping in.

Just before halftime, NorthEast nearly scored when Danny Meitei's header from an Andy Rodriguez corner went over the bar, leaving the first half scoreless.

Second Half Action

The second half saw NorthEast break the deadlock eight minutes in. Andy Rodriguez took a free-kick in the 53rd minute, delivering a precise left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner to give his team the 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 Jamshedpur ramped up the 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, Rodriguez struck again, scoring his second goal in the 69th minute with another precise left-footed shot from the edge of the box.

Final Moments

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 for NorthEast, firing just wide from inside the box. Jamshedpur pressed forward during stoppage time, but Stojanovic's long-range attempt in injury time missed the target.

The match concluded with NorthEast United FC claiming a 2-1 victory, thanks to Andy Rodriguez's impressive brace.