Chennai: Table-toppers Odisha FC faced their first defeat of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season, succumbing to a 2-1 loss against a resurgent Chennaiyin FC on Sunday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
The match witnessed Ankit Mukherjee and Jordan Murray playing crucial roles, scoring headers in the first and last quarters of the game, respectively. Mukherjee opened the scoring for Chennaiyin in the sixth minute with a brilliant header from Rafael Crivellaro’s corner kick. This goal marked Mukherjee’s first of the season and Crivellaro’s sixth assist, placing him among the joint leaders in the assist charts alongside Punjab FC’s Madih Talal.
Odisha FC, known for their defensive resilience, found themselves in unfamiliar territory as they failed to contain Chennaiyin’s attacking prowess. The visitors were left scrambling to recover from an early setback, but Chennaiyin’s goalkeeper, Amrinder Singh, showcased his skills by denying multiple attempts to equalize.
Roy Krishna, the top scorer for Odisha this season, managed to pull one back for his team in the 78th minute, injecting a sense of hope into the match. However, Jordan Murray shattered Odisha’s dreams of a comeback with a sensational winner in the 94th minute, sealing the victory for the hosts.
The defeat marked the end of Odisha FC’s impressive 13-match unbeaten streak, dating back to October of the previous year. Despite the loss, Odisha FC remains at the top of the ISL 2023-24 table, but the gap between them and the chasing pack has significantly narrowed.
Chennaiyin FC’s triumph marked their fifth win of the season, propelling them further up the league standings. The team showcased a strong attacking display, leaving their fans at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in awe.
With the ISL reaching a crucial stage, the competition for the top spot is intensifying, and the unexpected defeat for Odisha FC has added an intriguing twist to the race for the championship. Football enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches as teams vie for supremacy in the ISL 2023-24 season.
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