Wilmar Jordan Gil of Chennaiyin FC celebrating after scoring the goal against Odisha FC during the match between Chennaiyin FC vs Odisha FC in Hero Indian Super League at Jawaharalal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: R. Ragu
Defensive errors were aplenty in the Chennaiyin FC-Odisha FC Indian Super League fixture at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday (January 9, 2024).
The honours were split 2–2 after a pulsating contest as Odisha found two late goals to cancel out Wilmar Jordan Gil’s brace earlier in the second half.
Both teams had nothing great to show in the attacking front in the first period. While CFC resorted to long balls to find its goal, OFC found it difficult to piece together any meaningful efforts with its superior ball possession.
The game, though, came alive after the break.
Odisha custodian Amrinder Singh’s miss-pass was intercepted by an alert Connor Shields and his measured assist to Gil was calmly converted by the Colombian in front of goal.
The Shields-Gil pair pounced on another chance shortly.
The Chennaiyin No. 10’s run through the left flank had the Odisha defence lose its shape and Gil was stationed perfectly inside the box to receive the pass and slot the ball in to double the host’s advantage.
The visitor had a glimmer of hope when Diego Mauricio’s powerful off-target shot hit Dorielton Gomes’ heel and went inside the Chennaiyin net in the 80th.
The Odisha forwards threatened to equalise throughout the fag end of the match and the visitor restored parity through Mohammad Nawaz’s own goal in added time. Rahul K.P.’s bicycle kick hit the post and ricocheted onto the Chennaiyin goalkeeper who had no time to prevent the inevitable.
The result: Chennaiyin FC 2 (Gil 48, 53) drew with Odisha FC 2 (Dorielton 80, Nawaz og-90+8).
Published – January 10, 2025 02:01 am IST
