Odisha FC makes a comeback against 10 men East Bengal in ISL 2024-25
Odisha FC makes a comeback against 10 men East Bengal in ISL 2024-25
After winning two games in a row, the Red and Golds returned to their home ground to play last three home games of 2024. Before travelling to Bhutan in late October for the AFC Challenge League, East Bengal was in a six-game losing streak and the last defeat came against Odisha FC in the Kalinga Stadium. East Bengal were undefeated in the Challenge League and continued that streak in the ISL ever since they returned from Bhutan. The undefeated streak continued for six games and was finally ended by Odisha FC, this time in the Salt Lake Stadium.
The match started with fouls and bookings. Thoiba Singh was booked at the 3rd minute of the game. Jeakson Singh also was booked as he fouled Boumous. Madih Talal went down in a clash with Boumous but wantwd to continue to play, but Oscar Bruzon was forced to sub him off as he could not even walk anymore. This is a big blow for the squad as Talal is one of the most important players of this team and his unavailability along with other key players like Crespo and Diamantakos is also a matter of concern for the management and supporters.
At the 23rd minute, Nandha had a chance. He received the ball and went past two Odisha defenders, had the option to pass to Cleiton Silva or Vishnu, but he decided to take a shot. His shot was well saved by Amrinder. On the rebound, Vishnu passed to Mahesh and made a forward run. But the Odisha defense line handled the attack.
The home team got another chance within minutes. Nandha’s cross was perfectly aimed towards Vishnu inside the box. But Vishnu fell down and the team appealed for a penalty, but referee denied that rightfully. Then Mahesh’s perfect pass for Silva was wasted by the Brazilian forward as he hit the ball over the crosspiece. Cleiton Silva, after some time, made a brilliant grounded cross-field pass, even though it seemed like he had different plans. Vishnu got the ball, made a run inside the box, played a minus for Mahesh, but again the Odisha defense handled that dangerous attack of East Bengal.
Odisha had two back to back big chances at the 36th minute. Boumous’s cross was headed by Jerry and it struck the cross piece. The attack was somehow defended by East Bengal. But on the return attack, Isak took a powerful shot from outside the box, and yet again, the ball struck the crosspiece. There were back to back attacks by the visitors. They were knocking on the door, a goal for them was a matter of time.
The biggest surprise of the game came on the 43rd minute. Jeakson made turn with the ball and somehow it seemed to injure Diego Mauricio. Diego’s high level play acting was enough for the referee to wrongly send Jeakson off, showing him the second yellow. East Bengal went in a bad state, Supporters were worried at the half time break, what would now happen, now that their team is down to 10 men.
In the second half, Mahesh’s in swinging corner was saved by Amrinder. Hijazi took a shot but it was blocked. On the rebound, Lalchungnunga scored his first ever goal for the Red and Golds to give them the lead.
Just when the supporters had settled down from celebrating the goal, Odisha FC equalised. The lead did not even last two whole minutes. Jerry from the right side side of the box, maybe wanted to make cross, but the ball went over Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, and Odisha was back in the game.
East Bengal made some attacks, but with the numerical disadvantage, they were having troubles. They failed to convert any of those attacks. At the 69th minute, Isak took a shot from distance. The shot was blocked by Gill and the attack from the rebound was stopped by the referee as Rahim Ali was caught offside during his overlap run. There was another dangerous attack by the visitors, but East Bengal was fortunate enough that the ball did not go in.
At the 80th minute, Mauricio received the ball and made a run inside the box and played the ball to Boumous. Boumous shot the ball with power and Gill had no chance to save that powerful strike. Boumous gave Odisha the lead with 10 minutes remaining in the clock. They almost made it 3:1 in the next minute, but Gill’s double save denied Mauricio the chance to double their lead.
East Bengal had a chance at the 85th minute. A cross inside the box was delivered and Hijazi tried to head it. Amrinder took the ball but the ball slipped out of his hands and Anwar Ali shot but Fall saved it at the goal-line. The referee also blew the whistle as prior to Anwar’s shot, Amrinder fell down. At the dying moments, East Bengal had a chance. David took a shot but the ball was saved by Amrinder’s safe hands and the full time whistle was blown.
East Bengal’s undefeated streak was brought to an end. East Bengal will play two more back to back home games in the Salt Lake Stadium, before travelling to Hyderabad for their last game of 2024. We will have to see how Oscar and his men responds after the defeat as they will miss a number of key players. Judging by the looks, Talal seemed like he will be out for some time. In a situation like this, we will have to see how they play the next game with injuries and suspensions. A strong Punjab FC waits next.
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