Odisha FC defeated East Bengal FC, who were reduced to ten players during the match.
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], October 23: Odisha FC secured a 2-1 victory over East Bengal FC at Kalinga Stadium tonight, marking their second win in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season. Veteran players Roy Krishna and Mourtada Fall each scored a goal, overcoming a penalty scored by East Bengal FC's Dimitrios Diamantakos during stoppage time of the first half.
With this defeat, East Bengal FC faced their sixth consecutive loss this season, including two since the arrival of new head coach Oscar Bruzon. The match's first goal came from Krishna in the 22nd minute, marking his fourth goal against East Bengal FC in this competition. Youngster Isak Vanlalruatfela, finding space on the left, made a long pass to Krishna, who skillfully evaded the visitors' defense. He collected the ball easily and converted a one-on-one opportunity against East Bengal FC goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, placing it into the bottom right corner.
Odisha FC maintained their lead until midfielder Thoiba Singh committed a handball in the penalty area just before halftime. The referee awarded a penalty to East Bengal FC, which Diamantakos converted, ending his five-match goal drought by sending the ball into the bottom right corner past a fully stretched Amrinder Singh.
In the second half, Odisha FC sought to regain control, and coach Lobera's key players—Fall and Ahmed Jahouh—responded. A well-executed free-kick from Jahouh found Fall, who headed the ball home in the 69th minute, restoring Odisha FC's lead.
Things worsened for East Bengal FC when Provat Lakra received a second yellow card in the 76th minute for a foul on Jahouh, leaving them a player down. Unable to recover, they fell to a well-organized Odisha FC team, which secured three points. With this defeat, East Bengal FC became the second team in ISL history to lose their first six matches of the season, following NorthEast United FC in 2022-23, who lost all of their opening 10 games.
Roy Krishna contributed with a tackle, a cross, and a goal-scoring chance, but his off-the-ball movement made him the standout player of the match.
Odisha FC will next face Mumbai City FC on October 27, while East Bengal FC will return to play in the Kolkata Derby against Mohammedan SC on November 9.