ISL 2020-21: Esmael Goncalves' brace allows Chennaiyin FC to edge past Odisha FC
This was Chennaiyin FC's third win of the 2020-21 Indian Super League season, as along with five draws and three loses, it has risen to the fifth spot. Meanwhile, Odisha suffered its seventh loss, as with a win and three draws, it stays at the bottom of the table.
<p>Odisha FC continued its dismal run in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL), as it succumbed to a narrow 1-2 defeat to Chennaiyin FC, at the GMC Stadium in Goa, on Wednesday. With this loss, Odisha stays at the rock bottom, while Chennaiyin has leapfrogged to fifth.</p>
Odisha FC continued its dismal run in the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL), as it succumbed to a narrow 1-2 defeat to Chennaiyin FC, at the GMC Stadium in Goa, on Wednesday. With this loss, Odisha stays at the rock bottom, while Chennaiyin has leapfrogged to fifth.
<p>The opening half saw three attempts within the opening 14 minutes, before Esmael Goncalves handed Chennaiyin the lead in the same minute, with his right foot, to the bottom right from the centre. Odisha followed up with an attack in the 16th minute.</p>
The opening half saw three attempts within the opening 14 minutes, before Esmael Goncalves handed Chennaiyin the lead in the same minute, with his right foot, to the bottom right from the centre. Odisha followed up with an attack in the 16th minute.
<p>Yet, Chennaiyin was handed a penalty, four minutes later, after Gaurav Bora brought down Anirudh Thapa inside the box. Goncalves successfully converted the spot-kick with his right foot to the bottom-right. Four more attacks followed, but to no avail, as Chennayin stuck to its two-goal lead at the half-time.</p>
Yet, Chennaiyin was handed a penalty, four minutes later, after Gaurav Bora brought down Anirudh Thapa inside the box. Goncalves successfully converted the spot-kick with his right foot to the bottom-right. Four more attacks followed, but to no avail, as Chennayin stuck to its two-goal lead at the half-time.
<p>The second half saw five attempts within the 61st minute, as Diego Maurício pulled one back for Odisha, a minute later, with his right-footed strike to the bottom-right from outside the box. Four more attacks followed, including a save from Chennaiyin goalkeeper, Vishal Kaith, as the visitor held on to its lead to walk away with the three points.</p>
The second half saw five attempts within the 61st minute, as Diego Maurício pulled one back for Odisha, a minute later, with his right-footed strike to the bottom-right from outside the box. Four more attacks followed, including a save from Chennaiyin goalkeeper, Vishal Kaith, as the visitor held on to its lead to walk away with the three points.
<p>As for the next game, Chennaiyin would take on ninth-placed SC East Bengal on Monday. Meanwhile, Odisha would face off against third-placed Hyderabad FC, a day later.</p>
As for the next game, Chennaiyin would take on ninth-placed SC East Bengal on Monday. Meanwhile, Odisha would face off against third-placed Hyderabad FC, a day later.