Mumbai: The Indian Super League (ISL) clash between Mumbai City FC and Odisha FC ended in a 1-1 draw at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday, marking a balanced contest of goals, tactics, and intensity. The return of Odisha coach Sergio Lobera to Mumbai was highlighted by early goals from Roy Krishna and Nikolaos Karelis, as both sides eventually settled for a point each.
The match opened with Odisha applying high pressure on the home side, with Lobera’s squad intent on pushing Mumbai’s defense to its limits. Odisha’s charge was led by the relentless Fijian forward Roy Krishna, who capitalized on a defensive error in the 14th minute to give the Juggernauts the lead. An intercepted lobbed pass to Mumbai’s goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa saw Krishna steal possession, allowing him to place the ball effortlessly into the net.
Mumbai City FC bounced back soon after, re-establishing their attacking prowess. Lallianzuala Chhangte led the charge, linking up with Karelis in a dynamic exchange that energized the home fans. In the 23rd minute, Chhangte’s pinpoint delivery into the box was expertly met by Karelis, who slotted the ball past Odisha goalkeeper Amrinder Singh, leveling the game.
The second half saw a more measured pace as both teams looked to control the midfield and avoid costly mistakes. Odisha’s resilience was tested when midfielder Ahmed Jahouh was sent off in the 80th minute. Despite being a man down, Odisha maintained composure to secure a draw.
The evenly contested game highlighted both teams’ tactical discipline, leaving fans eager for their next encounters in the ISL season.
