NorthEast United FC played out a 0-0 draw against Odisha FC in their first away fixture of the 2026-27 MG Indian Super League season at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday, 24 October. The Highlanders created several promising openings and came closest to scoring in stoppage time, but Alaaeddine Ajaraie struck the post from the penalty spot in the 90+5th minute. Gurmeet Singh also made crucial saves to ensure NorthEast United left with a point.
The Highlanders started brightly, with Nikola Ninković testing Odisha goalkeeper Hritik Tiwari from outside the box in the fifth minute. NorthEast United continued to build through midfield, with Macarton Nickson, Maya, Antonio Moyano and Nikola linking up to move the ball forward.
Their best opening of the first half came in the 23rd minute when Macarton launched a counter-attack, Nikola found Alaaeddine in the box, and the forward worked space for a shot. Tiwari, however, saved at the near post. Alaaeddine later set up Rabeeh for a cutback to Antonio, but the midfielder could not control the ball for a first-time effort. Another attempt from Antonio was blocked soon after.
At the other end, Barla tracked Odisha’s wide threat diligently before testing Tiwari himself in the 42nd minute. Just before half-time, Jithin MA slipped a well-weighted pass into Antonio’s path, but Odisha’s defence recovered to halt the move. The sides went into the break goalless.
NorthEast United resumed with the same attacking intent. Nikola’s free-kick in the 48th minute forced another save from Tiwari, while Gurmeet responded with an important intervention two minutes later, diving to his right to deny a dangerous header. The Highlanders threatened again in the 59th minute when Nikola’s cross found Alaaeddine, whose header was on target but kept out by the Odisha goalkeeper.
As the game entered its closing stages, NorthEast United pushed for a winner. Alaaeddine sent Macarton through in the 72nd minute, but a defender recovered before he could shoot. Two minutes later, Macarton released Jithin, whose touch let him down. Parthib Gogoi and Ethyan Gonzalez came on in the 75th minute, with Redeem Tlang introduced eight minutes later to freshen up the attack.
The Highlanders nearly found the breakthrough in stoppage time. Redeem played Antonio through in the 90+2nd minute, but his effort sailed over the crossbar. Three minutes later, Parthib’s corner struck Stephen Eze’s hand, and NorthEast United were awarded a penalty.
Alaaeddine stepped up with the chance to snatch victory, but his effort struck the side post, leaving the Highlanders agonisingly short of a late winner.
The final whistle confirmed a 0-0 draw at the Kalinga Stadium. NorthEast United showed attacking intent and defensive resilience throughout, but the late penalty miss meant they had to settle for a point after coming within inches of taking all three.
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