Second-half comeback keeps Odisha FC in ISL playoffs hunt
Odisha FC came from a goal down to secure a 3-1 victory over Hyderabad FC in the ISL encounter at the Kalinga Stadium on Friday. The crucial win keeps Odisha FC in the race for the playoffs.
However, Sergio Lobera's men continue to be the highest-scoring team in the league, with 41 goals to their tally.
Odisha FC began the match as the better of the two sides with plenty of chances, pushing for an early goal in their penultimate home game in the league stage. In the sixth minute, Saviour Gama’s well-timed pass to Diego forced an early save from former Odisha FC keeper Arshdeep Singh. Moments later, Hugo Boumous attempted to pick out Rahim Ali with a precise lob, but Odisha FC struggled to beat a resilient Arshdeep.
Despite Odisha's dominance in possession, it was Hyderabad FC who broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. Stefan Sapic's right-footed strike from close range found the back of the net, following a clever headed pass from Muhammed Rafi off a corner kick. The goal left Odisha trailing 1-0 at halftime.
The second half began with an electrifying response from Odisha FC. Mourtada Fall was the first to strike, scoring a powerful header off Hugo Boumous' well-delivered corner in the 47th minute to equalise. Just two minutes later, Odisha FC took the lead through Hugo Boumous, who scored a clinical finish from inside the box.
In the 61st minute, Odisha's defence came to the fore as Saviour Gama made a crucial goalline clearance following a clean header from a Hyderabad corner. The Kalinga Warriors’ resilience paid off at the other end in the 70th minute when Rahim Ali sealed the game with a third for Odisha, latching onto a brilliant pass in behind the Hyderabad defence and slotting it past Arshdeep to make it 3-1.
The final stages of the game saw some close calls, with Isak’s lobbed pass finding Dorielton, whose subsequent ball to Hugo saw the forward's volley narrowly miss the target. In the dying moments, Dorielton’s powerful shot from outside the box was deflected for a corner, and the Kalinga Warriors comfortably saw out their game.
The much-needed win gives Lobera a breather, with the team heading to Kolkata next to take on Shield contenders Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Sunday, 23rd February, at the Salt Lake Stadium.
Second-half comeback keeps Odisha FC in ISL playoffs hunt
Odisha FC came from a goal down to secure a 3-1 victory over Hyderabad FC in the ISL encounter at the Kalinga Stadium on Friday. The crucial win keeps Odisha FC in the race for the playoffs.
However, Sergio Lobera's men continue to be the highest-scoring team in the league, with 41 goals to their tally.
Odisha FC began the match as the better of the two sides with plenty of chances, pushing for an early goal in their penultimate home game in the league stage. In the sixth minute, Saviour Gama’s well-timed pass to Diego forced an early save from former Odisha FC keeper Arshdeep Singh. Moments later, Hugo Boumous attempted to pick out Rahim Ali with a precise lob, but Odisha FC struggled to beat a resilient Arshdeep.
Despite Odisha's dominance in possession, it was Hyderabad FC who broke the deadlock in the 30th minute. Stefan Sapic's right-footed strike from close range found the back of the net, following a clever headed pass from Muhammed Rafi off a corner kick. The goal left Odisha trailing 1-0 at halftime.
The second half began with an electrifying response from Odisha FC. Mourtada Fall was the first to strike, scoring a powerful header off Hugo Boumous' well-delivered corner in the 47th minute to equalise. Just two minutes later, Odisha FC took the lead through Hugo Boumous, who scored a clinical finish from inside the box.
In the 61st minute, Odisha's defence came to the fore as Saviour Gama made a crucial goalline clearance following a clean header from a Hyderabad corner. The Kalinga Warriors’ resilience paid off at the other end in the 70th minute when Rahim Ali sealed the game with a third for Odisha, latching onto a brilliant pass in behind the Hyderabad defence and slotting it past Arshdeep to make it 3-1.
The final stages of the game saw some close calls, with Isak’s lobbed pass finding Dorielton, whose subsequent ball to Hugo saw the forward's volley narrowly miss the target. In the dying moments, Dorielton’s powerful shot from outside the box was deflected for a corner, and the Kalinga Warriors comfortably saw out their game.
The much-needed win gives Lobera a breather, with the team heading to Kolkata next to take on Shield contenders Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Sunday, 23rd February, at the Salt Lake Stadium.
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