Odisha FC and NorthEast United play out 0-0 draw at Kalinga Stadium in ISL third matchweek on 24 October 2026
Odisha FC and NorthEast United FC played to a 0-0 draw at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on 24 October 2026 in the third matchweek of the 2026-27 Indian Super League season, with Alaeddine Ajaraie missing a late penalty. The match produced the league’s first goalless stalemate of the campaign.
NorthEast United dominated chances according to the match metrics, registering an expected goals (xG) of 1.73 to Odisha’s 0.13 and taking more than double the shots of their opponents. Odisha conceded a late spot kick after Stephen Eze handled in the box, but Ajaraie struck the bar with the penalty and the referee blew for full time. The single point moved NorthEast United to the top of the table with seven points, while Odisha recorded their second draw and sit eighth with two points from three games.
The goalkeeper on duty made a decisive contribution, reportedly making six saves during the match and producing a penalty stop in the closing seconds. Gurmeet recorded a good performance for his side, earned his second clean sheet of the season and made two crucial saves, while Singh completed 82% of his passes.
Defensive actions from Odisha included Chhakchhuak operating at right wing back after coach Purushothaman set up a 5-3-2; he is credited with dominating the right flank and limiting Jithin MS and Antonio Moyano. Thoiba registered three crucial defensive contributions, Eze made eight clearances and conceded the handball that led to the penalty, and Bhanwala collected 36 touches and provided several important defensive interventions.
In midfield and attacking areas for Odisha, a Georgian midfielder anchored the centre and played 77 minutes before Manu Molina replaced him, while Puitea wore the captain’s armband but was judged to have underperformed in creating chances. Khiangte supplied four passes into the final third and combined with Jeremy—who played 64 minutes before Nandha Kumar Sekar was brought on—to trouble the visitors’ flanks. The Palestinian striker managed only two shots on target and recorded a combined xG and xA of 0.03; the Brazilian striker tested Gurmeet twice and had two shots on target. Nandha Kumar Sekar was rated 5.5/10 and described as failing to provide the expected attacking threat from the left.
NorthEast United’s defensive and creative metrics were led by Nikhil Barla, who completed 53/58 passes and produced 10 defensive contributions including eight clearances, 11 ball recoveries and two tackles. A Spanish defender recorded three clearances, two interceptions and two recoveries with 86% passing accuracy, while Pramveer Singh posted a 90% pass success rate and added six defensive contributions said to include four clearances, six ball recoveries and one block. Rabeeh made forward runs, created one big chance and three key passes while completing 90% of his passes and recording three recoveries and two clearances.
Other visiting performers included Mayakkannan, who maintained passing accuracy above 90% and provided one key pass plus two interceptions; Antonio Moyano, who missed two shots from inside the box; Nikola Ninkovic, who executed two key passes, created one big chance and had two shots on target; Jithin MS, who made three defensive contributions and won six ground duels; and Macaron, who completed around 74% of his passes, won 8/13 ground duels and made five defensive recoveries.
Alaeddine Ajaraie created two big chances during the match and missed both before failing to convert the late penalty, a miss described as costing NorthEast United two points. Late substitutes included Redeem, who produced a line-breaking pass to Moyano soon after coming on; Ethyan, who entered very late and did not make an impact; and Parthib, who was introduced in the 75th minute without noticeable effect.
The goalless draw left NorthEast United top of the ISL table with seven points and moved Odisha FC to eighth place with two points from three matches.
