ISL 2017, Match 2: NorthEast United FC vs Jamshedpur FC, 5 Talking Points

NorthEast United welcomed newcomers Jamshedpur FC for their first encounter in the ISL. Both sides created enough opportunities to warrant a goal. However, the strikers were wasteful in the final third.

In what was a thoroughly entertaining 0-0 draw, NEUFC created the better chances on the night. Let's take a look at the five major talking points from tonight's game.

#1 Opening minutes filled with tomfoolery

Playing their first game of the season, you'd imagine NEUFC and Jamshedpur FC would be cagey and attempt to get a sense of the tempo of play. What ensued was completely the opposite. Both sides began the match as if only five minutes of the game were left to play.

Reckless clearances and wayward passes were a regular scenario for the first twenty minutes of the encounter. It was not a tactical battle at all. Far from it. However, from a neutrals point of view, it made for great viewing. Both sides were extremely risky in their game-play, deviating from the usual rigid approach that most teams begin their campaign with.

#2 Steve Coppell maintains his vintage supermodel pose on the sidelines

Coppell maintained his vintage pose (Image courtesy: ISL)

We have no idea what are Steve Coppell's superstitions, but his positioning on the touchline is definitely one of them. For almost the entire season last year, Coppell was usually positioned right at the corner of the substitutes bench and rarely moved an inch. New season, managing a new team - his position hasn't changed one bit.

In his first game managing Jamshedpur FC, Coppell took up his usual position, leaning against the dugout area like a seasoned male supermodel, extremely pensive, rarely venturing out of his beloved standing space.

#3 Final third of the pitch - a pressing issue for both sides

Both sides wasted a number of chances (Image courtesy: ISL)

How often do we see a side engage in good build-up play, only to squander their efforts in the final third of the pitch? NEUFC and Jamshedpur were both guilty of complacency when it mattered most.

There were times when the Highlanders managed to cut through the opposition with relative ease but their players were simply not ruthless enough to finish off their moves. Jamshedpur, on the other hand, did well to create spaces down the wings, but once again, the final ball never had enough quality to trouble the centre-backs.

#4 Sameehg Doutie comes to life in second half

When Sameehg Doutie arrived at Jamshedpur, a lot was expected from him and understandably so. He was a liveware for ATK last season. Jamshedpur's No 7 started off slowly and took time to find his footing in the match. However, Doutie came to life in the second half.

The winger put on his afterburners and consistently delivered dangerous crosses from the right wing. More importantly, he wanted the ball and when he did have it, he always looked dangerous. His teammates realised the damage he can cause and kept feeding him the ball throughout the second half.

#5 Questionable red card further opens up the game

Andrey Bikey was left fuming (Image courtesy: ISL)

After a relatively quiet first half, the match was split wide open in the send. Both teams created a number of goalscoring chances. NEUFC, in particular, should have scored at least one. Striker Danilo Cezario found himself completely unmarked on two occasions in the second half, but he was thwarted by some intelligent defending from Subrata Pal.

To further add spice, the referee decided to questionably brandish a red card to Jamshedpur's Andrey Bikey for a high foot on Restrepo. On further observation, it was clear there was no contact whatsoever. That red card resulted in an end-to-end encounter for the final fifteen minutes of the match.