Odisha FC go second with win over Punjab

KOLKATA: Odisha FC continued their unbeaten run at home and resumed their upward movement on Indian Super League table by beating Punjab FC 3-1 at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.


A brace from Diego Mauricio and another perfect finish from Isak Vanlalruatfela made sure that Madih Talal’s goal for Punjab did not pose much problem as the hosts overtook Mohun Bagan Super Giants on goal difference and stayed just a rung behind leaders Mumbai City FC with 39 points from 20 matches.

Punjab’s playoff aspirations took another hit as they stayed on eighth spot with 21 points from the 20 matches they played in their maiden ISL season.

While both teams began the match with earnestness, it was the visitors who produced the first real chance of the match in the 22nd minute when Wilmar Jordan’s header to a corner kick by Talal proved to be just a tad high and grazed past the Odisha goal.

However, the breakthrough came in the 34th minute as a cheer to the home fans.

Jerry Lalrinzuala turned in a delectable cross into the box from the left wing as Mauricio showed his poaching skills by pouncing on it undetected and in between two Punjab defenders and sent in a header for the opener.

The home supporters’ joy was, however, shortlived as Punjab levelled the score just four minutes later in a show of individual brilliance by the in-form Talal. Getting the ball in midfield, the Frenchman found his way into the box and shot the ball past the outstretched hand of Amrinder Singh in a moment of individual brilliance.

The quick comeback was unexpected for the hosts and their frustration was visible when the otherwise calm Ahmed Jahouh earned himself a yellow card for a reckless tackle from behind on Talal.

With the score locked at 1-1 at half-time, the intensity of the game increased after the change of ends. While Odisha kept pushing for the full three points and created a couple of good moves, Mourtada Fall had to deal with a couple of good runs on the counter from Talal.

However, Odisha followed up on a goalline clearance by Carlos Delgado in the 60th minute by getting back the lead on the counter. With a crucial one-two with Amey Ranawade, who cut back the ball into the box from the corner, Isak shot the ball into the top right corner to regain the lead in the 61st minute.

It gradually turned into an Odisha affair as they won a penalty seven minutes later for a foul on Fall by Suresh Meitei inside the box. And while Mauricio was made to retake his shot after sending it in once, he made no mistake to increase the scoreline advantage in the 68th minute with a shot into the top right corner despite Punjab custodian Ravi Kumar jumping the right way on the second attempt.


Get the latest ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 updates, including the full schedule, teams, live scores, points table, and key series stats such as top run-scorers and wicket-takers.