Vasco, Feb 7 (PTI) Hyderabad FC and NorthEast United stayed in the Indian Super League play-offs settlement after the game between the two teams ended in a goalless draw here at Tilak Maidan Stadium on Sunday.
While Hyderabad moved up to third place due to the goal difference, NEUFC climbed to fourth place via FC Goa. However, Goa FC have one game in hand and face leaders Mumbai City FC on Monday.
The two teams could not achieve the breakthrough in the first half because the defense of both teams was high. Hyderabad only scored one shot on goal against NEUFC in the first half.
NEUFC eventually gained confidence in the game and developed better chances in the first half.
Hyderabad had half a chance early on when Halicharan Narzary shot a cross into the box. Aridane Santana attacked the ball and jumped up, but Dylan Fox made a bold distance after a clash of heads.
NEUFC had their first big chance in the 24th minute after a free kick. Luis Machado ran to the left and delivered a cross which was cleared by Akash Mishra. Lalengmawia pounced on the loose ball, but went straight to Hyderabad keeper Laxmikant Kattimani.
NEUFC won another free kick later in the first half and should have done better from the chance. Federico Gallego pinged the ball towards Benjamin Lambot at the far post, who flicked the ball towards Machado.
The Portuguese striker failed to make contact with the ball and missed a sitter from close range. However, the linesman later hoisted his flag after Lambot was sidelined.
The second half turned out to be a dreary affair, with no team able to get a single shot on goal.
The best chance of the second half came in the 85th minute after substitute Vice President Suhair had awarded NEUFC a free kick. Gallego shot a cross towards the far post and picked Lambot, but the defender shot his header over the bar.
The Highlanders kept pushing for a winner and came almost close in added time. Gallego threw Machado a fine through ball into the box, but Kattimani came off the line in time to avert the threat.
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from the Syndicated News feed. The newest contributors may not have changed or edited the content.)
