Former champions Bengaluru FC's bid for the top spot continued with their slender 2-1 win over Odisha FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21, at the GMC Stadium in Telangana, on Thursday. The success took Bengaluru to the third spot, while Odisha stay winless in six matches and continue to lurk in the 10th spot.
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The first half began on an attacking note, with six attacks coming up in the opening 20 minutes. A strike from Sunil Chhetri followed it in the 37th minute, as his header to the top right corner, following an assist from Harmanjot Khabra, earned Bengaluru the opening lead. It was followed by a couple of more attacks from Bengaluru, but to no avail, as they went ahead at the half-time break with the very lead.
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The second half saw four attacks until the 68th minute. At the same time, it was Steven Taylor, who pulled one back for Odisha in the 70th minute, with a close-ranged right-footed shot to the bottom left corner, courtesy an assist from Jerry Mawihmingthanga.
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Eight minutes later, it was Bengaluru, who came up with a fresh attack, as Cleiton Silva's shot with his right foot to the bottom left corner from the centre of the box restored their lead, while Deshorn Brown came up with the assist. It eventually turned out to be the winners, as the following three attacks were futile, while Bengaluru walked away with the three points, as the referee blew the full-time whistle.
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Following the win, Bengaluru head coach, Carles Cuadrat, said, "We tried to put new players and get the three points. We weren't dong things right and players were in shock about Ashique. We were not getting the ball and losing it very past. Amay and Brown did well. [Did you work on long diagonal balls?] Odisha is unlucky this season. They played well and have lost with little margins. We know they are an offensive team, so we try that diagonal long balls to create a two vs one situation. We need a depth in squad. I am happy with Kristian, Brown, Cleiton, Semboi. The position is covered. [ATKMB match next] It's in four days and we need to analyse the situation and have a plan for sure."
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As for Odisha head coach, Stuart Baxter, he reckoned, "Yea, I think it was. [Goal wrongly ruled out for offside] You can read the game by one situation. If we get the goal there, maybe the hearts and heads together can get the result. We got back into the game, playing well with the ball for a while. We don't restructure and get the principles right sometimes. In the critical phase, you get the tone of the game. Pivotal moments in the second half we let them get ahead of steam. I have to worry about not getting the sack first. Tell them to not panic. It's a young team. I have to give them belief and give tactical advantage. We need couple of results on the board. There are so many things, transitions in attack and defence needs to be worked, set plays. We are stuck in this situation, but we don't have time. If we get out noses in front that affects our quality and calmness of play."
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Bengaluru skipper Chhetri expressed his pleasure on the win and said, "I am 5'7". People who are short get offended so 5'7" please. We work a lot in training. Coaches ask us to stop training sometimes because we have game coming up next day. He doesn't get it right in training, but when it comes to matches [he does]. I am keeping my fingers crossed. People who saw the injury say his cheekbone is gone. I am really worried for him. The news was spreading and we were down for five minutes when they got the goal. Then the subs came on to get us the win. I think it was the meeting we had where we said that you won't win nothing if we don't work hard. To win the championship, we have to do it day in, day out. ATKMB was another example yesterday about how people come back to defend."
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