ISL 2025-26: Andy Rodriguez fires NorthEast United to first win of the season against Jamshedpur

Two second-half goals from Andy Rodríguez lifted NorthEast United FC to a 2-1 win over Jamshedpur FC in the 2025-26 Indian Super League season at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, March 15.

The Highlanders recorded their first win of the season and moved to seventh in the standings with six points, while Jamshedpur FC suffered their first defeat of the season but remain second with 12 points. Rodríguez was named Player of the Match for his decisive performance with two goals.

NorthEast United FC head coach Juan Pedro Benali made three changes to his starting line-up, introducing Bekey Oram and Laishram Danny Meitei into midfield along with defender Dinesh Singh in a 4-3-2-1 formation. Jamshedpur FC head coach Owen Coyle also made two changes to the midfield, bringing in Rei Tachikawa and Rosenberg Gabriel, while retaining the same tactical formation.

The match started at a brisk pace, with both sides exchanging possession in the opening minutes but struggling to penetrate into the final third. Jamshedpur keeper Albino Gomes produced a wide ball outside the penalty area in the 13th minute to deny a potential attacking opportunity for the hosts.

Jamshedpur created the first real chance in the 19th minute when Messi Bouli rose to meet Mohammed Sanan’s cross, but his header went narrowly wide. NorthEast responded shortly afterwards by testing midfielder Macarton Nickson Gomes from distance, although the goalkeeper mustered the effort comfortably.

The Highlanders looked increasingly dangerous in attack, with Parthib Gogoi causing problems for the defense before being brought down by centre-back Pratik Chaudhari during a promising run in the 27th minute.

NorthEast were forced into an early substitution in the 39th minute when captain Míchel Zabaco was substituted due to a hamstring injury, with Asheer Akhtar coming on in his place. The Highlanders almost found the breakthrough just before half-time when midfielder Danny Meitei headed over from Andy Rodríguez’s corner, ending the first half goalless.

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NorthEast broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half. Andy Rodríguez took a free kick in the 53rd minute and produced a precise left-footed strike into the bottom right corner to put the Highlanders ahead.

Jamshedpur responded with tries from Nikola Stojanović and Rei Tachikawa, but both attempts presented no problems in front of goal. Stojanović then forced a save from Gurmeet Singh in the 58th minute as the visitor piled on the pressure.

The Men of Steel were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute when Bouli was brought down in the penalty area by centre-back Dinesh Singh. Bouli stepped up to take the penalty and calmly converted in the 68th minute, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and making the score 1-1.

However, NorthEast restored its lead almost immediately. Lihat juga arwe4g. Just a minute later, Rodríguez collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a precise left-foot strike into the net to score his second goal and make it 2–1 in the 69th minute.

Jamshedpur continued to search for another equalizer, with Bouli attempting a long-range effort that went wide in the 79th minute. NorthEast also looked to extend their lead but Ankith Padmanabhan’s strike in the 85th minute was blocked.

The hosts came close again in the 89th minute when substitute Thoi Singh shot narrowly wide from the penalty area. Jamshedpur pushed forward in stoppage time, but Stojanović’s long-range effort in stoppage time sailed wide of the target.

The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win for NorthEast United FC, while Andy Rodríguez’s brace secured the Highlanders’ first win of the season.

Published on March 15, 2026