Ajaraie’s record-breaking brace powers NorthEast United to 3-2 win vs Odisha FC

NorthEast United FC defeated Odisha FC by 32 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati in the Indian Super League ISL 202425 on Sunday A brilliant brace from Alaaeddine Ajaraie and a goal by Guillermo Fernandez off the bench was enough for NorthEast United FC to bag all three points against a gritty Odisha FC sideHugo Boumous and Diego Mauricio found the net for the visitors but couldnrsquot salvage anything from the fivegoal fiestaLike most of their matches this season the Highlanders started the game strong They were energetic with their press and allowed no time on the ball for the Odisha FC backline forcing them to resort to long balls NorthEast United FCrsquos attacking quartet of Parthib Gogoi Nestor Albiach Jithin MS and Ajaraie tormented the Odisha FC defenders with their marauding runs and exceptional understandingDespite the early flourish Odisha FC did well to absorb the pressure but Ajaraie had other ideas The hosts were eventually rewarded for their start when the Moroccan combined with Parthib and found a pocket of space just outside the penalty area Ajaraie pulled the trigger from distance after taking a couple of touches beating Amrinder Singh all ends up and handing NorthEast United FC the lead in the 12th minute With this goal Ajaraie scored in seven consecutive appearances in the league surpassing Elano Blumers earlier record six gamesAlso ReadWTC How can India qualify for final after 30 whitewash against New ZealandBuoyed by the goal the Highlanders added more panache to their attack with the offense keeping the Odisha backline extremely busy NorthEast United almost doubled their lead when Ajaraiersquos brilliantly weighted ball almost found Nestor However the Spanish midfielder was slightly late to arrive in the penalty area Later Ajaraie had the golden opportunity to add to his tally when Buanthanglun Samtersquos cross following a corner found Ajaraie in the box The Moroccan lost his marker with ease but his header was just over the targetNonetheless Ajaraie eventually completed his brace courtesy of NorthEast United FCrsquos sensational highpress Mohammed Bemammer won possession in midfield and squared it to Jithin in space He took a couple of touches before spraying it for Ajaraie in space on the left With only Amrinder left to beat the Moroccan made no mistake in doubling the lead in the 40th minuteThe visitors had to show some retaliation and therefore assistant coach Anthony Fernandes turned to Hugo Boumous at the start of the second half Alongwith the midfielder the likes of Saviour Gama and Thoiba Singh were also brought on to freshen things up in defenceThe changes did work in Odisha FCrsquos favour as they pulled a goal back in the 60th minute when two of their substitutes Gama and Boumous combined to break down the Highlandersrsquo defence Gama treaded a brilliant through ball towards Boumous who dribbled past a couple of defenders before slotting it past Gurmeet Singh between the sticksThe goal swayed the momentum in Odisha FCrsquos favour as they kept pushing forward in search of more goals With the substitutes providing the energy needed on the fieldHowever the game changed completely when Juan Pedro Benali decided to look towards his bench He brought on Guillermo Fernandez to add more presence in attack for the Highlanders The Spaniard who hasnrsquot been at his best this season kept his coachrsquos faith by slotting home the third goal from Ajaraies cross against the run of play in the 71st minuteThe last 10 minutes of the game saw Odisha FC throw the bodies forward and they deservedly pulled a goal back through Mauriciorsquos exceptional freekick in the 83rd minute Despite Odisha FCrsquos late surge Juan Pedro Benalirsquos men managed to hold their fort with aplomb and bagged their third win of the ongoing seasonThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever