ISL 2020-21: Odisha FC, SC East Bengal sign off in style
This was Odisha FC's just second win of the 2020-21 Indian Super League, while with six draws and 12 losses, it has finished at the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, SC East Bengal suffered its ninth loss of the season, as with three wins and eight draws, it has ended ninth.
6-5! Yes, you read that right, as that was the scoreline by which Odisha FC managed to pip SC East Bengal during the Indian Super League 2020-21 at the GMC Stadium in Goa on Saturday. No, it did not happen in penalties, but in regulation time, as Odisha has yet finished at the bottom of the table, while SCEB ends on ninth.
The opening half saw three attacks until the ninth minute before Anthony Pilkington put SCEB ahead in the 23rd, with his right foot to the bottom-left from the right flank, thanks to Wahengbam Angousana's assist. Nine minutes later, Lalhrezuala Sailung drew level for Odisha with his right foot to the centre in a close-range attempt.
A couple of attempts more was made by SCEB until the 35th minute, before goalkeeper Ravi Kumar's own goal restored SCEB's lead in the exact minute. Three more attempts were made, while a save each from the goalkeepers ensured SCEB led at half-time.
The second half saw an attempt from Odisha in the 47th minute, as Paul Ramfangzauva drew level again, a minute later, with his right foot to the bottom-right, outside the box, following Bradden Inman's assist. A couple of minutes later, Jerry Mawihmingthanga put Odisha in the lead, with his header to the bottom-right from the centre, thanks to Manuel Onwu's cross assist.
The next attack in the 53rd minute from Odisha's Diego Maurício hit the post, while Aaron Amadi Holloway levelled it for SCEB, five minutes later, with his right foot from the centre, outside the box. In the 64th minute, Odisha came up with an attempt, while the exact minute saw Paul Ramfangzauva give the side the lead again, with his right foot to the bottom-left from outside the box.
A couple of minutes later, Mawihmingthanga scored the fifth for Odisha, with his right foot to the top-left from the centre, following an assist from Diego Maurício. Again, a couple of minutes later, Maurício scored the sixth for the side, with his right-footed free-kick to the bottom-right.
In the 73rd, Jeje Lalpekhlua scored the fourth for SCEB through his header to the centre in a close-range attempt, while Anthony Pilkington came up with the assist. Five more attempts were made before Aaron Amadi Holloway scored the fifth for SCEB through his header in the 94th, into the top-left from the centre, following Daniel Fox's headed assist. Ultimately, the referee blew the full-time whistle to bring the craziness to an end, with Odisha finishing the season with an eventual win.