For the first time in its history, NorthEast United FC made it to the playoffs of the Indian Super League.
NorthEast United FC entered play-offs after Jamshedpur FC played a goalless draw against Chennaiyin FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
Jamshedpur FC’s play-off hopes ended with the 0-0 draw.
On the day, Jamshedpur FC needed at least one goal to keep their season alive.
They struggled to put together two passes in the opposition half. But it turned out to be a scrappy goalless draw and Jamshedpur now trail NorthEast United by four points with just one game left.
A First Post report says the visitors looked toothless in attack and could not get a win that would have kept them in the running for a spot in the top four.
As per the match report, the closest the visitors came to getting it was late in the game when second-half substitute Michael turned in a cross from an offside position.
Now, Jamshedpur have remained fifth.
It has been reported that though the visitors slowly grew into the game, there were no clear chances in the initial 20 minutes of the game as both teams looked short of ideas in the final third.
And we made it! ?
For the first time in it’s history NEUFC makes it to the playoffs of the @IndSuperLeague ???#8States1United #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/aVocYHQvy1
— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) February 23, 2019
Chennaiyin players had the first shot on goal when Jeje Lalpekhlua managed to set CK Vineeth free down the right wing.
The winger though managed to cut back on to his left foot and get a shot away, but it was straight at Jamshedpur FC’s goalkeeper Subrata.
The first real chance for a goal went to Jamshedpur FC when Sergio picked out Mario Arques with a brilliant cross into the box. The Spaniard’s glancing header was brilliantly kept out by Karanjit Singh, who remained alert in the goal.
A few minutes later the Chennaiyin custodian was called into action again to stop Cidoncha’s long-range effort.
Though there was a header from Christopher Herd towards the end of the half which went well over, in the first half of the game there were not many chances which can be noted.
The second half started slowly. It was Anirudh who did well to send Jeje in space in the penalty box but the striker’s shot was straight at Subrata, who punched it away.
Jamshedpur FC did show a bit of urgency as the half wore on and Cidoncha had a header from a corner almost sneak in at the far post, but team coach Cesar Ferrando cut a frustrated figure as his team failed to cut open the Chennaiyin defence.
A poor show in the final third and a lack of bite in attack condemned Jamshedpur FC to a ninth draw of this season’s ISL while Chennaiyin ended their home season with a draw.
And with the draw played by Jamshedpur FC against Chennaiyin, finally NorthEast United FC qualified for the Hero ISL play-offs after four years.