ISL 2022-23: Odisha FC stage stunning fightback to beat East Bengal 4-2

Updated: May 17, 2023, 04:52 am

Odisha FC's Pedro Martin celebrates scoring against East Bengal.
Odisha FC's Pedro Martin celebrates scoring against East Bengal.
Vipin Pawar /Focus Sports/ ISL

Odisha FC recorded their third comeback win of the season as they beat East Bengal FC 4-2 in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

Thongkhosiem Haokip and Naorem Mahesh Singh had put East Bengal 2-0 up in the first half but half-time substitute Pedro Martin bagged a brace to restore parity three minutes after coming on. Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Nandhakumar Sekar wrapped up the three points later on.

The hosts were forced to make one change to their starting XI as Pritam Singh replaced the injured Jerry Lalrinzuala and started his first match of the season. The visitors made two changes as Denechandra Meitei and Mawihmingthanga dropped to the bench, with Narender Gahlot and Isaac Chhakchhuak starting.

Midway through the first half, Haokip broke the deadlock. Jordan O'Doherty's through ball from the halfway line caught Odisha FC's high back-line off-guard as VP Suhair skipped the offside trap before teeing up Haokip from the right flank. The forward calmly tapped the ball into an empty net in the 23rd minute.

Stephen Constnantine's side doubled their advantage 12 minutes later. Charis Kyriakou did well to win the ball in midfield before Cleiton Silva flicked the ball on for Suhair. This time the winger whipped a low cross in from the left flank as Mahesh darted in to score.

Josep Gombau made four impactful substitutions at half-time. In the 47th minute, Pedro, who came on for Isaac, was played through by Diego Mauricio before smashing it in with his first touch after coming on. A minute later, substitute Denechandra's cross was headed back across goal by Mauricio and headed into the back of the net by Pedro again.

The comeback was complete in the 65th minute. Meitei whipped another good cross into the box as Mawihmingthanga headed it in from close range at the far post to give his side the lead. Odisha then established a two-goal cushion after Saul Crespo's long diagonal found Sekar on the left flank. The winger beat substitute Sarthak Golui before smashing in Odisha's fourth and final goal of the night from a tight angle in the 76th minute.

Three points lift Odisha up into third in the table, three off Mumbai City FC, with a game in hand.