'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In the battle of the strugglers, Odisha FC defeated Hyderabad FC 3-2 at the Balewadi Stadium in Pune, to climb to the sixth position in the Indian Super League.
Odisha FC began the game on an attacking note, using their flanks to the maximum. Hyderabad took time to settle but also went in search of goal soon, without their key personnel. The visitors tried and failed to break the deadlock through Robin Singh and Bobo in the early periods. Odisha opened the scoring in the 27th minute through Carlos Delgado's header from Xisco Hernandez' corner. A few minutes before the break, Xisco connected with Jerry Mawhmingthanga's cross from the right to get past Kamaljit Singh.
Hyderabad's continuous attempts yielded result when Adil Khan's shot struck Vinit Rai's hand inside the penalty area. Bobo converted from the spot to open his account in the league and reduce the deficit for the visitors. Six minutes later, Odisha were awarded a penalty when Giles Barnes handled the ball while trying to control it. Martin Perez slotted it into the left of the net to increase Odisha's tally to 3.
HFC made some final efforts and scored a goal through Rohit Kumar in the 89th minute. However, the late-pressing did not match them with the hosts as the referee blew the final whistle with the scoreboard reading 3-2.
#3 Hyderabad were wasteful at the attacking end
Phil Brown had to start the game without Marcelinho after he was suspended with four yellow cards this season. The playmaker was badly missed on the field as Hyderabad remained wasteful in the attacking end for the majority of the game.
The visitors came close to goal through Robin Singh and Bobo on numerous occasions. Bobo managed to beat the Odisha custodian in the first half but was denied the goal as the referee adjudged his challenge on Narayan Das as a foul. Both the forwards were regularly handed chances to find the equalizer but failed to capitalize on the same.
Nikhil Poojary and Asish Rai were all culpable of hitting worthy chances wide of the target. While the first goal came from the spot, the second one was a deserving reward off Gurtej Singh's cross.
Despite scoring two, Hyderabad had a lot of issues to resort in the attacking third. If the forwards had poached onto the ball in the early exchanges, Brown could have returned with at least a point.
#2 Odisha's combined team effort
Odisha, despite conceding two goals in the second half, worked together as a unit. Josep Gombau's side attacked at regular intervals, particularly through the wings. Nandakumar Sekar and Jerry Mawhmingthanga were always busy running down the flanks.
The defence could have easily lost shape to the constant threat from Hyderabad but was well supported by the midfielder dropping deep. The team plan of clearing the ball to one of the three attackers was excellently executed, leading to numerous counter-attacks.
Shubham Sarangi and Diawandou Diagne were standout performers in the backline, with eight and three tackles respectively. Narayan Das made a total of thirteen clearances, most of which were crucial balls for Jerry to attack.
Marcos Tebar and Vinit Rai had vital contributions on the field before the latter was sent off for a second yellow card in the 64th minute. Tebar made five crucial tackles and six clearances in support with Rai.
As a whole, Gombau's unchanged lineup developed a good understanding to counter HFC's fair share of possession.
#1 Jerry and Xisco shine in attack
Hyderabad FC settled as minutes passed and Odisha were content to sit back and defend. Even when the whole team made sure to keep the backline intact, Jerry and Xisco moved forward with the ball to keep the scoreboard lively.
Both of them were involved in most of Odisha's attacks and supplied balls to the attacking end constantly. If Aridane Santana had been a bit more clinical in front of goal, Odisha could have added to the tally.
Jerry was a menace on the right-wing and utilized the space left behind by the defenders on the overlap. At the end of 90 minutes, Jerry had one assist and five chances created to his name.
Xisco, on the other hand, was subbed off in the 66th minute but had done enough damage with one goal and one assist. The former Bengaluru FC midfielder also created four chances over time.
The duo has developed an excellent partnership on the field and was able to read each other's movements well. If the pair can keep up the good work, Gombau will have some relief in goal-scoring.
