Quickfire Isma brace helps Chennaiyin FC beat Odisha for first win of 2021
Goa, January 13, 2021: Two goals in six minutes from Isma Goncalves handed Chennaiyin FC a 2-1 victory over Odisha FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Wednesday night in the Indian Super League. Diego Mauricio did manage to pull a goal back for OFC in the second half, but CFC’s backline held firm to record a first win over their opponents in the tournament. It also happened to be CFC’s first win at the GMC Stadium, and much to the delight of the fans watching back home, the first of many victories in the new year.
A first win in five games elevated Csaba Laszlo’s men to 5th spot in the points table after 11 games, with 14 points now to their name. CFC are only one point behind FC Goa, who are in action against 6th placed Jamshedpur FC on Thursday.
Laszlo made a game-changing move to the starting eleven, bringing in Portuguese forward Isma in place of Jakub Sylvestr. The move paid off almost instantly, when Isma was put through on goal in the fifth minute by a measured pass from right-back Reagan Singh. The forward though blazed his shot just over the crossbar with OFC keeper Arshdeep Singh beaten.
Ten minutes later, Isma made amends. A hopeful punt from Rahim Ali was miscued by Odisha defender Gaurav Bora. The ball fell kindly in Isma’s path and the former OGC Nice striker made no mistake after rushing into the box and side-footing it into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
It went from bad to worse for Bora, who five minutes later fouled Anirudh Thapa in the penalty area, leaving the referee with no other option than to point to the spot. Isma stepped up and coolly converted the penalty kick to Arsdheep’s left and doubled CFC’s lead in the process. A rich return from the Portuguese for Laszlo’s faith in handing him a first start following a return from injury, that had kept him out for over a month.
Chennaiyin were full value for their 2-0 lead at the break. Odisha came out of the blocks quickly in the second-half, as their top-scorer Mauricio came on for the ineffective Marcelinho. And as CFC retreated, the OFC’s Brazilian striker scored with a wonderful shot from distance to halve the Marina Machans’ lead after the hour mark.
To protect the one-goal advantage, Laszlo brought on versatile midfielder Deepak Tangri in place of the eventual matchwinner Isma. He also threw on the experienced Thoi Singh, who replaced Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev on the wings. As Odisha chased the leveller, CFC were a threat on the break with the pace of Lallianzuala Chhangte and Thoi.
That combination almost restored Chennaiyin’s two-goal cushion with 10 minutes to go. Chhangte’s burst down the left had isolated Thoi on the right. The Mizo speedster laid off a pass to Thoi, but the Manipuri dragged his effort wide with Arshdeep sprawled on the floor.
Odisha had one last chance to draw level, but CFC goalkeeper Vishal Kaith rose to the occasion. Substitute Daniel Lalhlimpuia’s curling shot from outside the box was heading for the bottom corner, however a diving Kaith parried it away to maintain the scoreline.
An effective display all over the pitch thus ensured CFC were deserved victors on a night they hope will chart a spell of consistently positive results. They face an in-form SC East Bengal side next on Monday January 18th, 2021 at the same venue in a home fixture.
RESULT: Odisha FC 1 (Diego Mauricio 64’) lost to Chennaiyin FC 2 (Isma Goncalves 15’, 21’ (P))
