Indian Super League: Odisha overturns two-goal deficit to beat East Bengal 4-2

Intimidating performances by Semboi Haokip and Naorem Singh tied down the Juggernauts. But they made a fantastic comeback with fruitful attempts from Pedro Martin, Jerry Lalrinzuala, and Nandhakumar.

Despite carving out a two-goal lead, the Juggernauts could not retain it. East Bengal coach Stephen Constantine said his team got punished for their lack of focus. 

They endured their fifth defeat this season, and the coach revealed that he had warned his boys not to lose focus at half-time as he expected the opposition to plunge into a heavy-weight resurgence.

East Bengal found the first opportunity to score through Semboi Haokip in the fifth minute, but his header went over the post. Odisha caught up a minute later as Diego Mauricio made a vain attempt to head Raynier Fernandes' cross.

After a few failed shots from both sides, East Bengal finally drew blood in the 23rd minute. Semboi Haokip converted Jordan O'Doherty's pass on the right, and shortly after, they doubled their lead in the 35th minute. 

The referee played advantage as Charalambos Kyriakou fell to the ground, and VP Suhair darted from the left flank. He shot out a cross that found Naorem Singh, and his effort flew past the keeper.

Odisha had a chance to reduce the deficit in the 39th minute. Nandhakumar Sekar found a clearing as Raynier Fernandes' powerful header missed the goal from a few yards out.

Alarmed by the score, Odisha's manager Josep Gombau threw Pedro Martin into the mix, and his arrival initiated a pulsating resurgence from the Juggernauts.

Diego Mauricio sent the ball to Pedro Martin, who eluded his marker and slotted it in. In the 48th minute, Pedro Martin capitalised on the opposition team's poor defence and converted a Diego Mauricio assist. 

Odisha charged into the lead in the 65th minute, thanks to another half-time substitute, Jerry Lalrinzuala. He was unmarked, which allowed him to react to Denechandra Meitei's cross.

In the 76th minute, Nandhakumar Sekar crushed a napping East Bengal defence. Nandhakumar Sekar found a diagonal ball and sent it comfortably past Kamaljit Singh.

East Bengal have yet to win a single away match. A very disappointed Constantine spoke about his struggling side after the game. "Odisha FC have some quality players, and we got punished. It was extremely poor from our side, and you cannot afford to make such mistakes," he said. 

They are currently eighth on the rankings table with six points. On the other hand, third-ranked Odisha raked in 12 points from six matches.