ISL 2021-22: Spaniards weave magic as Odisha secures a 3-1 win over Bengaluru FC

Javi Hernandez scored two while Aridai Suarez put the game to bed with a stoppage time goal for Odisha FC in its opening game in the Indian Super League this season.

Javi opened the scoring for Odisha early on in the third minute and doubled on the lead with a free kick goal early on in the second half.

A splendid double from Javi Hernandez and a fine individual effort from Aridai Suarez handed Odisha FC a 3-1 victory over Bengaluru FC in its Indian Super League opener at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Goa on Wednesday.

That Hernandez’ both goals had their origins in completely avoidable mistakes from BFC shouldn’t take anything away from the execution; the first was a delightful long-range chip over the entire defence and the second a swerving free-kick from just outside the penalty area.

AS IT HAPPENED |

BFC skipper Sunil Chhetri could have brought his side back and equalled Ferran Corominas’ all-time ISL goal tally (48), but his penalty in the 61st minute was saved. Substitute Cleiton Silva, who earned the spot-kick, bundled in the rebound, only for the referee to disallow the goal.

Missed the match? We've got you covered with our ISL match reviews. Here's a recap of the OFC v  BFC fixture.

 

Replays showed that the Brazilian had encroached the penalty box before the kick was taken. But the same replay also showed an Odisha player encroaching, which should have resulted in the penalty being retaken.

Regardless, BFC was clearly below par. The evening was off to the worst possible start when a botched clearance by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu following a miscommunication with his defenders in the third minute was beautifully chipped into the goal by Hernandez.

Nandhakumar Sekar could have doubled the lead but couldn’t convert after being set free on goal. It was to prove costly as Marco Pezzaiuoli’s outfit equalised in the 21stminute with Alan Costa towering over Nandhakumar to turn in fine corner from Roshan Naorem.

Hernandez’s second was through a brilliant free kick to the top-right corner, but that came after a blunder from Udanta Singh. The winger misplaced a pass, and in an attempt to make amends, ended up fouling Jonathas Cristian in a dangerous position.

BFC pressed in search of the equaliser, but apart from the penalty fiasco, came close only in the 90th minute when Silva saw a powerful shot from close range saved by Odisha goalie Kamaljit Singh.

Suarez turned Pratik Chowdhary inside out and bundled the ball in to put the result to bed in the stoppage time.

 

Soon enough, Suarez turned Pratik Chowdhary inside out and bundled the ball in to put the result to bed.