On Tuesday, hosts Odisha FC defeated East Bengal FC 2-1 to win their second Indian Super League (ISL) match. Seasoned talents Roy Krishna (22nd minute) and Mourtada Fall (69th) scored once each to defeat East Bengal FC attacker Dimitrios Diamantakos’ (45 4) penalty kick goal in the first half’s additional time. With this loss, the Red and Gold Brigade suffered their sixth consecutive defeat this ISL season, and their second in a row under new head coach Oscar Bruzon.
In the 22nd minute, the indefatigable Krishna set the stage by scoring his fourth goal of the competition against East Bengal FC. Isak Vanlalruatfela, a livewire kid, was allowed plenty of room on the left wing when he delivered a slightly long-range through ball to Krishna.
The striker was in the right spot at the right time to break past the visitors’ defense. He received the ball easily, marched forward, and overcame the one-on-one scenario with East Bengal FC goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to finish in the bottom right corner. The referee awarded East Bengal a penalty kick, and Diamantakos stepped up to end his goalless skid and score for the first time in five ISL games.
He put the ball into the bottom right corner with his left foot, past Amrinder Singh, who was fully extended. In the second half, Odisha FC seized control of the game, and Lobera’s loyal lieutenants Fall and Ahmed Jahouh responded once more.
A free-kick in the inside channel of the right flank was enough for the duo to turn the tables, as Jahouh’s pinpoint pass was delivered to Fall, who nodded the ball home and reclaimed the lead for his club in the 69th minute.
In the 76th minute, Provat Lakra was sent out for a second yellow card for a foul on Jahouh, complicating matters for East Bengal even more. Despite being down a man, they were unable to catch up with a well-coordinated Odisha FC team, who won three points.