CHENNAI — Two
late goals helped Odisha FC play out a 2-2 draw with Chennaiyin FC in the
Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on
Thursday. The Marina Machans had secured a two-goal lead with Wilmar Jordan Gil
striking twice within a short interval in the second half. But the Juggernauts
came back to bulge the net a couple of times late into the game to settle for a
point.
Odisha FC held 63.2% of the possession, but both teams hit
the target five teams each in the game. This is the fourth time Chennaiyin FC
have dropped points from the winning position this season and the third time on
their home turf.
Chennaiyin FC encountered their first goal-scoring
opportunity of the match through an ambitious effort by Lukas Brambilla from
the outside of the 18-yard box. Irfan Yadwad and Brambilla were placed on the
left flank, and the former laid out the ball for the attacking midfielder at a
considerable distance. Brambilla trusted his instinct and went for a powerful
shot that sailed way above the post in the 16th minute.
The Marina Machans returned to threaten the goal, this time
from a set-piece in the 30th minute. Connor Shields stepped up to take a free
kick from the right flank and curled in a precise delivery that Wilmar Jordan
Gil. Positioned on the left side of the six-yard box, Gil’s header couldn’t
trouble the target at the half-hour mark.
Odisha FC were not too far behind in testing their luck from
a distance either. Following a throw-in, the Juggernauts’ frontline was in the
middle of a crowded situation at the edge of the box. Dori was industrious to
rush to the ball, make a sharp turn, and launch a fierce effort that ended up
being high and wide to the right in the 38th minute.
The home side got a foot ahead to kick off the second half
on a high, which came as a result of an inefficient Odisha FC build-up.
Goalkeeper Amrinder Singh, boasting of a 65.66% success rate in goal-kicks
before this game, passed the ball to Lalthathanga Khawlhring, who couldn’t control
the ball properly. Connor Shields pressed and recovered possession, before
barging into the box on the right flank. Shields made a smart low cross for
Gil, who timed his run perfectly and tapped the ball in to break the deadlock
three minutes into the second essay of the game.
The duo returned to strike back at Odisha FC in the 53rd
minute. Khawlhring was in focus again, as Shields shifted wings and outpaced
him to enter the box with ease, amid a spaced-out defence of the visitors.
Shields had ample space to square up a pass for Gil, who was beside him. The
striker thumped the ball into the centre of the goal, doubling the lead for the
visitors. He had a fantastic chance to get his hat-trick in the 64th minute,
building up with Brambilla as they carved open the opposition’s backline with a
quick one-two. Brambilla sent in a cross for Gil on the far post, whose header
was blocked in time.
The Juggernauts had a brief passage of play where they came
back into the game 16 minutes later. It was a culmination of the individual
brilliance of Diego Mauricio, who burst with pace inside the box and shot
firmly into the centre of the net from his left foot. His shot was however met
by Dori, who ended up having contact with the ball before it hit home,
resulting in the goal being named in his favour with Mauricio getting the
assist.
That opened the floodgates for a late onslaught by Odisha
FC, as they gathered momentum to push Chennaiyin FC behind and outnumber them
inside the box. The Juggernauts ended up overwhelming a vulnerable defence of
the home side, with Mauricio and Rahul KP scrambling to find the back of the
net from close range.
Rahul’s right-footed shot hit the right post, but goalkeeper
Mohammad Nawaz had the final touch before the ball smashed the net, resulting
in an own goal in the custodian’s name. CFC 2 - 2 OFC
Chennaiyin FC will play their next game against Mohammedan
SC on January 15. Odisha FC will be featuring against Kerala Blasters FC on
January 13.
