Odisha FC have slipped ranks in the ISL after suffering a narrow defeat against Hyderabad FC on Thursday. The Nizams, on the other hand, sit pretty at the top of the table after beating the Bhubaneswar-based side 3-2 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Goa.
Jerry Mawihmingthanga (45′) opened the scoring for Odisha FC, followed by three quick-fire goals from Hyderabad FC scored by Joel Chianese (51′), Captain Joao Victor (70′), and Akash Mishra (73′). Super-sub Jonathas de Jesus did get a goal back for Odisha FC in the dying stages of the game, however, it was too late for a comeback. The table-toppers secured the win to claim all three points.
The game was at a stalemate for the majority of the first half before flying winger Jerry Mawihmingthanga charged ahead of his marker to meet Nandhakumar Sekar’s low cross from the left, beating Hyderabad goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani with a flick at the near post. However, the Nizams levelled the scores early in the second half.
Captain Victor then secured a 2-1 lead for the team as he slotted home from a clever pass provided by Asish Rai. Three minutes later, Hyderabad stretched the lead with Yasir Mohammad swinging in a free-kick.
Odisha FC kept battling and gave a strong fight with Jonathas going close at the end before the clock ran out.
Currently, Odisha is in seventh place while Hyderabad leads the table with 23 points from 13 matches.