ISL 2026-27: Ajaraie misses penalty as NorthEast United drops points in draw with Odisha

Alaaeddine Ajaraie (left) had the chance to secure full points with a goal from the spot, but he hit the goalpost. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

NorthEast United’s striker Alaeddine Ajaraie missed the penalty in the last second of the match as the Highlanders drew 0-0 with Odisha FC in their Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 match at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday.

Coming into the match after a 4-1 win over Kerala Blasters, Juan Pedro Benali’s men followed a similar script in attack, with four shots on target to just one from the host. Ajaraie and Antonio Moyano were the usual suspects, testing Odisha’s Hrithik Tiwari in the 23rd and 28th minute.

But the former FC Goa goalkeeper looked much more sure-footed between the sticks compared to his previous two matches, and ended up being the best player for the Juggernauts, with six saves to his name.

Odisha’s coach T.G. Purushothaman tried to inject more attacking power after the restart, introdusing Nandhakumar Sekar and Rahim Ali after the hour mark. But NorthEast United’s all-Indian defence — including goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh — remained alert to ensure nothing went past them.

The match reached a climax in second-half stoppage time when Stephen Eze handled the ball in Odisha’s box, and referee K. Randasan pointed to the spot. Ajaraie, NorthEast United’s regular penalty-taker stepped up to take the kick and though Hrithik jumped the correct side, the ball came off the woodwork to end the match on level terms.