Hrithik Tiwari saved all six, Ajaraie hit the post in stoppage time, and Odisha held unbeaten NorthEast to 0-0
Stephen Eze’s late handball gave NorthEast United a penalty at the Kalinga Stadium, but Alaaeddine Ajaraie hit the post and Odisha FC kept their first clean sheet of the ISL season.
Oct 24, 2026
NorthEast United got a penalty deep in stoppage time. Alaaeddine Ajaraie, their best finisher, hit the post. Odisha FC held on for a 0-0 draw at the Kalinga Stadium on Saturday night, and NorthEast’s perfect start to the ISL season is over.
Odisha had lost late to Punjab FC and drawn late with Inter Kashi. This time the late moment went their way, and they can thank their goalkeeper for getting the game that far.
Hrithik Tiwari’s night in Bhubaneswar
NorthEast had six shots on target. Hrithik Tiwari saved all six. He won the Golden Glove at FC Goa last season and moved to Odisha in the summer, and this was the clearest look yet at why Odisha wanted him.
The visitors had more of the ball and most of the shots. Khel Now’s live blog had Macarton Nickson unmarked in front of goal in the 72nd minute, taking one touch too many before Odisha cleared. Eight minutes later Hrithik went down holding his knee after a collision with Ajaraie. He needed treatment, then carried on.
Both coaches made changes midway through the second half. TG Purushothaman sent on Rahim Ali for Odisha, and Juan Pedro Benali brought on Parthib Gogoi and Ethyan Gonzalez for NorthEast. Antonio Moyano lifted a shot over the bar two minutes into stoppage time.
Eze’s handball and Ajaraie’s miss
Two minutes later NorthEast won a corner. From it, Odisha defender Stephen Eze handled while trying to clear, and the referee pointed to the spot. Ajaraie has been NorthEast’s main source of goals, including two in their 4-1 win over Kerala Blasters last weekend. His penalty hit the post, and the final whistle followed almost straight away.
It would have been a cruel way for Odisha to lose. They have already dropped points twice this season to goals in the closing minutes.
Where it leaves both sides
Odisha now have two points from three games and still no win, but they have their first clean sheet. Their next match is away at Mohun Bagan on 5 November.
NorthEast are on seven points from three games and still unbeaten, after a 1-0 win over Mohun Bagan and the thrashing of Kerala. They will see this as two points lost. Benali’s side host Bengaluru FC in Guwahati on 30 October.