A comeback that should revitalise the dropping shoulders, East Bengal would look to continue their fight and bag a win when they take on Odisha FC in their Indian Super League (ISL) 2021022 match in Vasco on Monday. (More Football News)
The red and golds conceded two early goals against Chennaiyin FC in their last engagement but showed grit to come back for a draw. The 18-year-old Lalrinliana Hnamte scored the equaliser after a superb free-kick from Darren Sidoel had brought them back in the game.
The result helped them move to 10th spot in the table with 10 points from 15 games. More importantly, it was a gritty performance especially in the second half where the team showed the spirit of the highest order, something that was missing in the previous games.
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“In the dugout at half-time in the Chennaiyan FC match, I asked the players to be braver. I asked them to play freely and they delivered,” said head coach Mario Rivera who has one win and a draw apart from the two losses in his four matches in charge.
“The performance against Chennaiyan FC in the second half was one of our best. It will be right up the list along with the first half of the 2nd leg of Kolkata Derby,” he added.
Dutch midfielder Sidoel has looked good for East Bengal, scoring three goals in nine matches this season, including two goals in his last two appearances. Besides, the defensive midfielder played as part of a back three in the last game and controlled the defence for the Kolkata side underlining his versatility across the pitch.
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Rivera dropped a back three with two wing-backs after leaking two goals in the first half and it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard goes with the same strategy in the Odisha game as well.
For Odisha, they have not won a game in the last three matches and coach Kino Garcia will hope they get back to winning ways to keep their semifinal hopes alive. Odisha are seated eighth at the table with 18 points from 14 outings.
“There are still a lot of points to play for and we certainly have our chances. We are only focused on winning the match tomorrow,” Garcia said ahead of the clash. “East Bengal has improved a lot after changing their manager. They are more solid and compact,” he added.
Head-To-Head
Both teams have met thrice in the history of the ISL with Odisha enjoying a 2-1 record. East Bengal won the first meeting between the two.
Statistics
The last two fixtures between these two teams are the two highest-scoring fixtures in ISL history. Odisha FC's 6-5 win over East Bengal in the closing stages of 2020-21 is the highest-scoring match in the tournament history. The 10-goal game in the reverse fixture earlier this season where Odisha FC won 6-4 is the second-highest scoring match in ISL.
Match And Telecast Details
Match: East Bengal Vs Odisha FC
Date: February 7 (Monday), 2022
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Time: Kick-off at 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Tilak Maidan, Vasco, Goa
TV Channels: Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 HD, Star Sports 3, Star Sports 1 Bangla
Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar, JioTV
Squads
East Bengal
Arindam Bhattacharya(GK), Ankit Mukherjee, Adil Khan, Franjo Prce, Mohammed Rafique, Sourav Das, Darren Sidoel, Amarjit Singh, Semboi Haokip, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Antonio Perosevic, Marcelo Dos Santos, Wahengbam Angousana-Luwang, Hira Mondal, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Francisco Jose Sota, Joyner Lourenco, Bikash Jairu, Tomislav Mrcela, Raju Gaikwad, Amir Dervisevic, Sankar Roy(GK), Suvam Sen(GK), Daniel Gomes, Sarineo Fernandes, Balwant Singh, Saikhom Goutam Singh, Loken Meitei, Songpu Singsit, Romeo Fernandes, Jackichand Singh, Subha Ghosh, Siddhant Shirodkar
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Odisha FC
Kamaljit Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Kumar, Gaurav Bora, Lalruathara, Sahil Panwar, Hendry Antonay, Lalhrezuala Sailung, Sebastian Thangmuansang, Deven Sawhney, Victor Mongil, Hector Rodas, Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, Vinit Rai, Paul Ramfangzauva, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Liridon Krasniqi, Javi Hernandez, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Nandhakumar Sekar, C. V. L. Remtluanga, Nikhil Raj, Akshunna Tyagi, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Aridai Cabrera, Jonathas Cristian De Jesus
