Odisha FC squandered 1-0 lead to settle with 2-2 draw against NorthEast United in the 37th match of the 7th Hero Indian Super League at GMC Stadium in Bambolim, Goa today. It could have been sixth defeat Odisha FC had they not clawed back from 1-2 down and salvaged one point from the drawn game.

Odisha FC took the lead through Diego Mauricio (26) before Benjamin Lambot (45+1) drew parity. Kwesi Appiah (65) then converted a penalty to put the Highlanders ahead but soon saw his goal canceled out by Cole Alexander (67).

The first half saw a cagey contest with both sides heading into the break level after creating plenty of chances. The first big chance of the game arrived during the 10th minute but Odisha keeper Arshdeep Singh produced a fine save to deny an opener for the Highlanders.

Gallego picked up Kwesi Appiah with a long ball, and the latter made space for himself between two markers but saw his shot blocked by Arshdeep. Minutes later, Odisha carved out a great chance at the other end from a set-piece and should have bagged the lead. Diego Mauricio had two attempts on goal and his second one seemed to be heading into the net before Dylan Fox pulled off a fine goal-line clearance to keep it goalless.

But the Brazilian redeemed himself with a wonder-strike to hand his side the lead. Mauricio, receiving the ball from outside the box, cut inside before drilling a low shot that trickled into the back of the net. The ball went in following a light deflection off Lalengmawia, leaving the keeper with no chance.

NorthEast piled on the pressure after conceding and missed three chances from set-pieces. However, a lapse in concentration from Odisha in stoppage time saw them concede. Lambot made a run at the far post and picked up cross from Ashutosh Mehra before heading home.

NorthEast began the second half from where they left off and deservedly took the lead. They won a penalty after Appiah was tripped in the box by Arshdeep. The Ghanian stepped up to take the spot-kick and struck it with venom to notch his third ISL goal.

However, their lead did not last long as South African Alexander equalised for Odisha by beautifully curling his shot at the far post. NorthEast nearly scored the winner in the dying minutes but a long-range strike by substitute Khassa Camara missed the crossbar by inches. Cole Alexander pocketed the prize as Hero of the Match.
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PHOTO: Odisha FC players and coaching staff celebrate after the equaliser by Cole Alexande during match 37 of ISL-7 in Bambolim on 22 December, 2020.