Bhubaneswar: The Kalinga Warriors were held to a 2-2 draw by NorthEast United FC in a hard-fought encounter at the Kalinga Stadium here on Monday. Both teams fought hard, with the Kalinga Warriors salvaging a late equalizer after falling behind twice. Thoiba 78' and Isak 90+3' scored for Odisha FC.
The Kalinga Warriors started strong, pressing early on as created chances, with Rahul KP and Jerry M both coming close but failing to find the net. Hugo Boumous was also involved in the build-up, but his shot in the 23rd minute was off target. Despite the pressure, the first half ended goalless.
The second half saw Odisha continue to press, with Hugo heading just wide in the 47th minute. Isak’s curling shot in the 51st minute was saved comfortably, and Amrinder Singh made a crucial one-on-one save to deny NEUFC. However, in the 67th minute, Northeast United broke the deadlock. Alaaeddine Ajaraie continued his goalscoring form and gave NEUFC the lead with a header from a set-piece.
Odisha responded in the 78th minute when Isak delivered a brilliant cross to Thoiba, who powered his header past the goalkeeper to level the score.
NEUFC regained the lead just five minutes later, with Ajaraie heading in another cross from a set-piece in the 83rd minute.
As the match seemed to be slipping away from Odisha, Isak found a last-gasp equalizer in the 3rd minute of stoppage time. His late strike ensured a share of the spoils in an exciting encounter that ended 2-2.
