Odisha FC claw out 2-2 draw against NorthEast United

Bambolim (Goa), Dec 22 : It could have been another defeat but Odisha FC clawed back a point despite taking the lead early against NorthEast United, drawing 2-2 in a Indian Super League (ISL) game at the GMC Stadium here on Tuesday.
Odisha took the lead through Diego Mauricio in the 26th minute before Benjamin Lambot equalised in stoppage time of the first half. Kwesi Appiah then converted a penalty in the 65th minute to put the Highlanders ahead but soon saw his goal cancelled out by Cole Alexander two minutes later.
Odisha named an unchanged eleven from the side that lost to Bengaluru FC while NorthEast coach Gerard Nus rang in four changes with Federico Gallego handed a start.
Much of the first half was 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.