Bhubaneswar: Odisha FC edged Chennaiyin FC 3-2 in an exhilarating Indian Tremendous League (ISL) match on the Kalinga Stadium right here on Thursday.
A 96th-minute strike by Nandhakumar Sekar aim earned the Juggernauts three factors after Chennaiyin FC had equalised within the 94th minute by way of an Abdenasser El Khayati penalty.
Odisha FC acquired their noses in entrance a minute after the half-hour mark, courtesy of an personal aim scored by Vafa Hakhamaneshi. Sahil Panwar whipped in a cross from the left flank earlier than Raynier Fernandes tried to go the ball right down to Jerry. Whereas trying an interception, Hakhamaneshi redirected the ball into the again of his web.
Simply two minutes into the second half, the Juggernauts have been awarded a penalty after Panwar was taken out within the field by Prasanth Karuthadathkuni. Mauricio stepped as much as take it and smashed it into the again of the web to finish his five-game aim drought. Chennaiyin FC head coach Thomas Brdaric’s protests on the touchline earned him a yellow card.
However his group pulled one again on the hour-mark. Shortly after appeals for a penalty have been turned down, Ajith Kumar curled a ball into the field from the fitting flank earlier than Petar Sliskovic flicked it on together with his head and El Khayati slotted of their first aim with a composed end.
Saul Crespo introduced Hakhamaneshi down within the field and the referee pointed to the spot which El Khayati slotted within the equaliser from the spot in harm time. The delight didn’t final lengthy as Odisha FC retook the lead by way of Sekar, who pounced on a stray ball that got here after Jerry’s run was thwarted within the closing third.
The win lifted Odisha FC to 3rd, degree on 15 factors with Mumbai Metropolis FC. Chennaiyin FC keep in seventh spot.