ISL: Chennaiyin FC edge past Odisha FC in brilliant second-half comeback

Bhubaneswar: Chennaiyin FC registered a brilliant second-half comeback to beat Odisha FC by 3-2 in the Indian Super League 2024-25 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

The Juggernauts started the game in sublime fashion, as they looked dangerous in most of the moves. Within the first five minutes, the hosts got a chance to score when a corner fell into the feet of Diego Mauricio. The Brazilian launched a shot, which was saved by the defender, and the ricocheted ball was perfectly grabbed by goalkeeper Samik Mitra. However, in the eighth minute, Mitra brought down Hugo Boumous inside the box, rewarding Odisha FC with a penalty. Mauricio was calm enough to convert from the spot and give the Juggernauts the desired lead.

Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, got their first positive chance in the 22nd minute when Connor Shields dispossessed Isak Vanlalruatfela in the middle of the park and took his chance from a distance. Amrinder Singh was quick to the rescue as his reflexes helped divert the danger. A minute later, Chennaiyin FC could have grabbed their potential equaliser. Daniel Chima Chukwu went past Narender Gahlot on the left flank and delivered a pinpoint cross to Farukh Choudhary, who shot it wide from a handshaking distance.

The second half kicked off seamlessly as the first six minutes witnessed a Farukh Choudhary brace. In the 48th minute, Connor Shields dribbled past a few defenders to cross it towards Choudhary. With just Amrinder Singh in front, a tap-in was enough for the Indian winger to restore parity for his side. Three minutes later, while initiating a build-up, Amrinder Singh miskicked a ball straight into Choudhary’s feet inside the 18-yard box. The winger blasted a shot which got some lucky deflection from Ahmed Jahouh and placed itself into the back of the net.

Chennaiyin FC didn’t stop after taking the lead and pounced upon the Odisha FC backline to salvage another goal to gain some breathing space. In the 69th minute, they achieved the same when Laldinliana Renthlei’s cross found Daniel Chima Chukwu just behind the penalty spot. The Nigerian forward didn’t take a second touch and went direct. His shot gave Amrinder Singh no chance and helped the Marina Machans add to their lead.

Roy Krishna meanwhile brought one back for Odisha FC in the 95th minute after he snatched at Boumous’ cross before Mitra collected it and placed it calmly into the net. However, no time was left for the hosts to score one more.

Odisha FC will now travel to New Delhi to take on Punjab FC on September 20. Chennaiyin FC, meanwhile, will be out of action for the next matchweek and return on September 26 to take on newly-promoted Mohammedan SC at home.

Brief scores
Odisha FC - 2 (Diego Mauricio 9’ P, Roy Krishna 95’) - 3 Chennaiyin FC (Farukh Choudhary 48’, 51’, Daniel Chima Chukwu 69’)