East Bengal FC’s first half heroics go in vain as Odisha FC win 4-2

Despite leading 2-0 at half-time, East Bengal FC conceded four goals in the second half to go down 2-4 against Odisha FC in their Hero Indian Super League 2022-23 encounter at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on November 18, Friday.

The first goal for the Red and Gold Brigade was scored by Semboi Haokip after a beautiful pass from the centre reached V.P Suhair on the right wing. Suhair provided Haokip with a square pass in the 23rd minute and the Manipur forward slotted the ball home to become his side’s first Indian scorer this season.

Twelve minutes later, Naorem Mahesh Singh netted the second goal for EBFC. Suhair, who was on the left wing this time, passed the ball to Mahesh who provided the finishing touch to send his side 2-0 up..

The second half completely belonged to OdIsha FC. Substitute Pedro Martin scored twice immediately after the break (’47, ’48). On both occasions, Diego Mauricio chipped in with the assists.

East Bengal FC lost the plot thereon. Jerry Mawihmingthanga, who came on as a substitute for Sahil Panwar in the 46th minute, was left unmarked and nodded in Nandhakumar Meitei’s inch-perfect cross in the 65th minute.

Odisha got their final goal of the night in the 76th minute via Nandhakumar Sekar, who pounced on a long diagonal ball and fired it into the far right corner.

The Red and Gold Brigade next lock horns with Jamshedpur FC at Jamshedpur’s J.R.D Tata Sports Complex on November 27.