Javi Hernandez scored a valuable brace to give Odisha FC a victory over Bengaluru FC in their opening Indian Super League (ISL) encounter. Odisha FC registered a comfortable 3-1 win over at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco. Notably, this was the Bhubaneswar-based club’s first victory over Bengaluru FC in the ISL.
It was Javi Hernandez who stole the show, scoring two crucial goals. Although luck played a part in his first goal, the second was a spectacularly curled free-kick from outside the box.
Alan Costa pulled one back for Bengaluru in the second half to keep the game alive. However, Aridai Suarez sealed the victory for Odisha FC with a brilliant goal in the dying moments of the game.
Sunil Chhetri’s penalty miss in the second half proved costly for Bengaluru FC as they suffer an early defeat in the new season.
Coach Kiko Ramirez fielded a 4-3-3 formation and surprised many with his attacking approach as his team beat one of the favourites of the tournament.
Odisha FC face East Bengal in their next game on November 30. Ramirez’s side would look to build on their big victory and keep their levels up for the rest of the tournament.
Having finished bottom last season, the team from Bhubaneswar are eager to turn things around in this campaign.