Hovering over the drop zone for an extended period, Odisha FC took a significant step towards moving away from relegation threat as they beat SC Delhi 2-1 in an away game of the Indian Super League (ISL) at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Friday.
Early goals set the tone
VP Suhair (4’) and K Lalrinfela’s (13’) strikes gave Odisha a 2-0 lead very early in the first half. Matija Babovic (73’) reduced the margin for the hosts from the penalty spot late in the second half. Delhi continued to push for the equalizer in the last 20 minutes to secure three points, but the Juggernauts were able to hold on for a win.
Standings impact
This is the Kalinga Warriors’ only second victory of the season, which put them in 11th spot on the 14-team league table with 10 points after 11 games. They have drawn four and lost five. Sporting Delhi are a rung above, having the same number of points and exactly the same win-loss-draw stats as Odisha FC, and only better on goal difference.
Match details
Earlier, Odisha took an early lead through VP Suhair’s fourth-minute strike, which was set up with a precise assist by Lalthathanga ‘Puitea’ Khawlhring. The Odisha wing-half's assist found the Keralite striker perfectly positioned to exploit the early gaps in the opposition defense, and Suhair obliged by putting the ball into the net. Before Delhi could come to terms with the early setback, Odisha doubled their advantage in less than 10 minutes.
This time, central midfielders K Lalrinfela and Thoiba Singh Moirangthem combined to put the visitors 2-0 up in the 13th minute. Capitalizing on another attacking move, Lalrinfela clinically finished Thoiba’s assist at the right post with a long-range effort from outside the box, which beat a fully stretched Delhi custodian Nora Fernandes to his left.
Second half strategy
Going into the breather with their 2-0 lead intact, Odisha shifted gear to focus on protecting their lead in the second half, allowing the hosts to have more possession in midfield without many forays into their penalty area.
However, putting constant pressure for an opportunity to reduce the margin, the home side was awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute when a sliding Puitea unintentionally touched Delhi’s French defensive midfielder Ousmane Fane’s pass from the right with his left hand inside the six-yard box.
Babovic converted from the spot to pull one back as his powerful right-footed effort aimed at the bottom left corner beat a diving Anuj towards the right post.
Defensive resilience
The Odisha defense, led by veteran Carlos Delgado, ensured there were no further loopholes in the last 20 minutes to keep their slender lead intact till the final whistle. For Odisha FC, full points from the game will be a much-needed relief before they host Punjab FC next Saturday.
