Jonathas and Javi Hernandez prove too hot to handle for East Bengal as Odisha win 2-1
Odisha came out on top against East Bengal in ‘Match 84’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season. Jonathas and Javi Hernandez’s goals helped the Kalinga Warriors secure a 2-1 win as Antonio Perosevic’s strike went in vain.
The Red and Golds’ head coach Mario Rivera made two changes to his starting XI. New signing Huidrom Naocha Singh replaced Amarjit Kiyam while Sankar Roy came in for Arindam Bhattacharja in goal.
On the other hand, Odisha coach Kino Garcia reinstated Jonathas in the starting XI at the expense of Liridon Krasniqi while Thoiba Singh and Lalrehzuala Sailung made way for Paul Ramfangzuava and Lalruatthara respectively.
Garcia’s men started pressurizing the East Bengal backline from the first minute with Javi, Jonathas, and Jerry Mawihningthanga looking lively. It was the 23rd minute when Odisha’s persistent attacks paid dividends when Javi wriggled past multiple defenders to set himself free on the right flank. The Spaniard then drilled in an inch-perfect grounded cross for Jonathas, who had the simplest of tasks of slotting the ball past Roy to break the deadlock.
The Kalinga Warriors could have doubled their lead only four minutes later when Mawihmingthanga picked up a loose ball and went for glory, but Rivera’s defenders were alert to block the ball away for a corner. The initial delivery from the corner was cleared way but Javi had another go at it, which was saved by Sankar after a miscued clearance attempt from Marcelo Ribeiro.
Hira Mondal had a great chance of restoring parity just before half-time when he received a ball on the right flank and pulled the trigger, but his shot sailed over the crossbar to preserve Odisha’s lead.
After a sedate start to the second half, East Bengal had their best chance of the game in the 59th minute. A long ball from the deep was perfectly aimed at Marcelo, who made a decoy run to allow Perosevic to get to the pass. The Croatian was quick to strike a volley, but his effort lacked direction.
However, he redeemed himself only five minutes later by scoring the equalizer for the Red and Golds. Another exceptional delivery from the deep, this time played by Franjo Prce, was aimed at Perosevic who did well to beat Lalruatthara and reach the ball. Even before the defender could reach, he struck his shot right into the bottom corner, leaving Arshdeep Singh helpless in the Odisha goal.
Javi Hernandez restored Odisha’s lead
Their joy did not last long though, as the Kalinga Warriors took only eleven minutes to get their lead back. Jonathas bamboozled almost the entire East Bengal defense before playing a square pass for Javi, who has standing in acres of space. The Real Madrid Castilla graduate hit his shot with great venom which made the ball rifle into the net, despite taking a deflection on its way in.
He could have scored again seven minutes later when he found himself in space again and tried dinking a cheeky attempt past Sankar. While the custodian was beaten, a spirited Mondal chased the ball and cleared it right off the line to keep East Bengal in the game. As a last-ditch attempt, Fran Sota tried his luck from distance in the dying moments but his shot was nowhere near the goalmouth.
Garcia’s team has climbed to sixth place in the standings with this win and will now face Mumbai City on Sunday while the tenth-placed East Bengal will feature against Kerala Blasters on Monday.