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#2 All Indian back-line falters for NorthEast United FC
Mislav Komorski the Croatian centre back was already ruled out for the tie against Odisha FC by getting himself injured the previous game. Kai Hearings who was supposed to start today and was also named in the initial playing eleven didn't take the field due to some last-minute health issues.
With both their first-choice centre backs injured NorthEast United had no other option but to opt for an all Indian backline. Reagan Singh, Nim Dorjee Taman, Wayne Vaz and Rakesh Pradhan made up the back four for the Highlanders.
Right from the initial few minutes of the game, it became evident that the NorthEast United defence was far from a cohesive unit. The lack of communication between the defenders was apparent on more than a few occasions of the game.
The Highlanders also missed their talismanic young, dynamic midfielder Lalengmawia who has been absolutely superb in the last few games.
The inexperience of the backline showed as passes went astray and gaps kept opening up for the Odisha FC attackers to exploit.
Had NorthEast United FC's keeper Subhasish Roy Choudhury not made a couple of good saves the scoreline could have been even more prominent in favour of Odisha FC.
