Maintaining their position in the league table at sixth and seventh places respectively, Odisha now have 17 points while the Mariners have 16 points, having played two games less. Interestingly, ATK Mohun Bagan will take on arch-rivals SC East Bengal in the Kolkata Derby on January 29.
ISL 2021-22: House , fixtures , result , Mark sheet , photos
The ‘home’ team never looked like they were out of action for a while, with the word go on the front foot. Roy Krishna shows early intent with a drive from close but the angle was too intense as Arshdeep Singh saved it without any fuss.
Liston Colaco let a Long Ranger fly shortly after ATKMB dominated the game. Victor Mongil then had to line up his body to keep the David Williams piledriver away as the ball went for a corner. It was a surprise block from Mangil as Odisha lived to fight for another day.
Colaco put his laces on the ball from a distance, but as the Mariners kept coming into Odisha, the ball was over. Krishna was again treated by Mangil as he had cut the Fijian angle.
Colaco missed the pass just before the half-hour mark and later again forced Arshdeep to put up a brilliant defence. The halftime whistle put an end to an exhibition of attacks by the ATKMB as the Odisha defense heaved a sigh of collective relief.
Hector Rodas never came out of the tunnel as Nikhil Prabhu replaced him for the second half. Ashutosh Mehta had almost turned the villain after delivering a cheap freekick soon after he ended. Isaac Vanmalsawma’s attempt was foiled by the alert Amarinder Singh.
Jerry Mawimingthanga picked up Odisha, who were looking on the better side. His combination with Xavi Hernandez kept Bagan on their toes but they were prolific. Prabir Das was brought in for Roy Krishna at the mark of the hour.
Xavi Hernandez created a few chances against his former side on either side of the cooling break. First, he hit the side netting, which was followed by a sketchy clearance from a corner. Then, he found the back of the net, but it was turned offside.
Odisha tested Bagan’s resolve in the dying embers of the game with several attempts, but Amarinder Singh stood his ground maintaining a clean sheet ahead of the all-important derby next weekend.
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