Analysis by Suparno Chakraborty
From a 2 goal lead for EBFC in the first half to a 4-2 defeat at the end of the game shows the lack of quality in the squad for the hosts in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 match at Kolkata.
Constantine played his cards well in the first half. Knowing well the lack of creativity in the midfield of the red and golds the tactician went for pressing football. EBFC pressed OFC wing backs forcing them to shift the game to the middle of the pitch and at the middle corridor Jordan and Kyriakou had the responsibility of chasing down Saul Crespo and Thoiba to win the second ball and initiate counter attacks from there on. The plan paid off well as Jordan’s defence splitting through pass found Suhair who cut back in from the wings and the later had no other option than to make a regulation routine pass to Haokip within the box and the later netted it in without being challenged as the entire Odisha defence was caught off guard. After taking the lead EBFC continued in good rhythm for the next 20 odd minutes. During this phase a Kyriakou tackle found Cleiton who headed the ball down for Suhair towards the left flank as the later exchanged flanks with Naorem. Suhair again had no other option but to put in a routine pass within the box as Naorem brilliantly finished the move into the net to give EBFC a 2 goal lead. During this goal Naorem’s run through Sahil Panwar’s blind spot portrays his game intelligence and Sahil literally could not have done much. In the first half itself EBFC could have extended their lead but lack of speed and indecisiveness from Cleiton spoiled the move as he opted to scoop over Amrinder while he should have placed the ball at the second post.
Second half began with hopes of EBFC going to win two consecutive matches and moving upto the sixth spot but Gombau had other plans. The OFC tactician took four changes to begin with the proceedings of the second half. He brought in Pedro, Jerry, Dan and Nikhil replacing Osama, Sahil, Isaac and Reynier. Gombau’s changes paid off initially as OFC restored parity within 3 minutes of the second half. Mauricio’s through towards Pedro within the EBFC box which the later met as he came from behind to beat Ivan and net it in. Just minutes later Nandha’s cross found Mauricio who headed down the ball for Pedro and later headed it in being unchallenged. The entire EBFC defence had no clue of OFC game plan as Gombau overloaded the right wing of EBFC targeting Suhair and Ankit. During OFC’s third goal a pin point cross fron Dan down the left fell for Jerry and he only had to head it home as he was unchallenged during the move. During this move although Pritam Singh tried to track back but astonishingly Jordan and Lima stood flat foot outside their own box as they were mere game watchers. During the last quarter a Saul Crespo brilliantly switched flanks as he found Nandha lurking around the EBFC box at the left flank. Nandha nutmegged Sarthak with his first touch and netted the ball home with a powerful left footed grounder. This was game set match for Odisha.
Constantine made a few changes too but when you have an entire squad that lacks quality other 3 or 4 players then that’s the result and humiliation you deserve as a team.
Pedro Martin won Hero of the Match Award.
Odisha FC (Starting XI)
Amrinder Singh (GK), Narender Gahlot, Carlos Delgado (C), Sahil Panwar, Isaac Chhakchhuak, Saul Crespo, Osama Malik, Raynier Fernandes, Thoiba Singh, Diego Mauricio, Nandhakumar Sekar.
East Bengal FC (Starting XI)
Kamaljit Singh (GK), Ankit Mukherjee, Ivan Gonzalez (C), Lalchungnunga, Pritam Singh, Charis Kyriakou, Jordan O’Doherty, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Naorem Singh, Cleiton Silva, Suhair Vadakkepeedika.
Picture Courtesy: East Bengal FC Twitter
