In a gripping encounter at the Kalinga Stadium, Odisha FC emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over East Bengal FC in the ongoing 2024-25 season of the Indian Super League (ISL). The match unfolded on Tuesday with seasoned athletes Roy Krishna and Mourtada Fall playing pivotal roles by scoring the crucial goals that ultimately secured three points for their team. This victory marked Odisha’s second win of the season, while East Bengal was left struggling with their sixth consecutive defeat and another setback under the guidance of their newly appointed head coach, Oscar Bruzon.
Odisha’s triumph was set in motion by the indefatigable Roy Krishna in the 22nd minute. The Fijian forward delivered his fourth goal against East Bengal in ISL history. The initial charge was created by youngster Isak Vanlalruatfela, who capitalized on a wide gap on the left flank. From there, Vanlalruatfela launched a well-timed, long-range pass, directly intended for Krishna. As expected of a striker of his caliber, Krishna found himself perfectly positioned, slicing decisively through East Bengal’s defensive lines. Displaying remarkable control, he collected the pass effortlessly and advanced without hesitation. In a clinical 1v1 encounter with East Bengal’s goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Krishna’s shot found its place in the bottom right corner of the net, putting Odisha FC ahead.
The visitors held their composure until a critical setback occurred just before halftime. Odisha’s midfielder, Thoiba Singh, unwittingly made contact with the ball in a forbidden zone, leading the referee to point at the penalty spot. Dimitrios Diamantakos, the East Bengal striker, capitalized on this opportunity, converting the penalty with precision to equalize the game. With a left-footed strike, he sent the ball soaring into the bottom right corner past a full-stretched Amrinder Singh—marking his personal breakthrough as it was Diamantakos’s first goal in five ISL appearances.
As the second half initiated, Odisha FC was determined to reclaim control of the game’s momentum.
. Head coach Lobera relied on his seasoned players, and they did not disappoint. Once again, Mourtada Fall and Ahmed Jahouh rose to the occasion. A crucial free-kick awarded on the right flank turned the tide. Jahouh delivered a flawless ball that met Fall, who utilized his height and precision to head the ball into the back of the net in the 69th minute, regaining the lead for Odisha.
The situation further deteriorated for East Bengal when defender Provat Lakra received a second yellow card in the 76th minute. His dismissal reduced East Bengal to ten men, a disadvantage that proved too significant to overcome against a well-organized Odisha side. The Odisha squad efficiently controlled the remaining proceedings, ultimately securing the prestigious win.
This loss meant that East Bengal FC has joined a rare list—becoming only the second team in ISL history to lose their first six matches of a season. The previous occurrence was NorthEast United FC’s losing streak at the start of the 2022-23 season, which saw them defeated in all of their first ten encounters.
Looking ahead, Odisha FC is set to face off against Mumbai City FC on October 27. Meanwhile, East Bengal will be eager to break their losing streak as they prepare for the upcoming Kolkata Derby against Mohammedan SC on November 9. The match headlines have been widely covered and resonate with fans eagerly awaiting East Bengal’s return to the winning tally.
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