Odisha FC and SC East Bengal(SCEB) treated the fans to goals galore as 10 goals were scored among both teams. There had been 15 goals in their 2-game history and the third encounter between the two lived up to the bill.
Odisha FC came into the match after a thumping 3-1 victory over Bengaluru FC. Meanwhile, SC East Bengal were brushed aside by their arch-rivals ATK Mohun Bagan in a 0-3 defeat. Odisha FC headed into the match as favorites and lived up to the expectations.
ODISHA FC 6 – 4 SC EAST BENGAL : THE GAME
SC East Bengal was the first to draw blood as Darren Sidoel powered a shot into the top right corner from close range. East Bengal then continued to push on for their second goal but Odisha held their backline in a solid way.
Odisha FC did their homework properly as they took advantage of SCEB’s weakness in set pieces. Javi Hernandez, the talisman for Odisha came alive in the last quarter of the first half. He whipped in a perfect free-kick for an unmarked Hector Ramirez to strike home. Hector Ramirez then made no mistake to convert from the open header in the 33rd minute of the game.
In the 40th minute, the pair of Javi Hernandez and Hector Ramirez combined again to give Odisha the lead. Ramirez outpowered Raju Gaikwad to head home his second goal of the game. Javi Hernandez then took matters into his own hands as he caught Suvam Sen off his line to score directly from a corner.
In the second half, Kiko Ramirez decided to switch things up and rest his key player Javi. He made 3 changes that saw Aridai Cabrera come into the play. Cabrera took his chance perfectly as he scored directly from a free kick in the 71st minute to add to SCEB’s set-piece woes.
The game then became open as 5 goals were scored in the last 20 minutes. Thongkhosiem Haokip headed in a header from a ball whipped in by Md. Rafique in the 82nd minute. Daniel Chukwu then grabbed 2 goals in 2 minutes to make the match interesting at the end. However, their defense continued to leak goals as Aridai bagged a second goal in the 93rd minute to complete his brace and finish the game off for Odisha FC.
JAVI CONTINUES HIS HOT RUN OF FORM
Javi Hernandez continues to impress. He bagged his 3rd goal of the season and is now the top scorer of the ISL. He also created 2 goals to bag the player of the match award. His form can determine the fate of Odisha FC’s season and keeping him fit will be a priority for Odisha.
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