ISL: Odisha FC, Bengaluru FC settle for 1-1 draw

Hovering just above the relegation-threatened Mohammedan Sporting Club on the 14-team roster, Odisha FC desperately needed full points from their 10th-round match of Indian Super League (ISL) against Bengaluru FC on Monday.
However, the Juggernauts had to be content with just a point from the ‘home’ game at faraway Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa as they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Blues. Striker Rahim Ali had taken the lead for the Kalinga Warriors after the half-hour mark while Bengaluru drew level with Brian Sanchez netting the equaliser from the spot early in the second half.
Getting one point each from the cagey encounter, Bengaluru remained on sixth spot with 17 points after 11 games. Odisha FC’s position as the second last side was intact as they have only seven points after 10 games – just four more than rock-bottom Mohammedan Sporting – and stare dangerously at the drop zone.
Bengaluru enjoyed larger share of possession over their hosts but failed to convert that into goals due to their profligacy in the attacking third. Odisha, meanwhile, showed flashes of attacking intent. However, it was Odisha who broke the deadlock in the 34th minute of the game.
Midfielder K Lalrinfela, popularly known as Mafela, released a superb defence-splitting through for Ali, who beat his marker before slotting home a clinical left-footed grounder beating an advancing BFC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to his left.
Going into the breather with a slender lead and some confidence, OFC, however, could not manage to hold on to the advantage long in the second half. An OFC defender was responsible for a poor tackle on an onrushing BFC player just inside the area two minutes into the second half.
Referee blew his whistle pointing towards the spot almost immediately and creative midfielder Sanchez didn’t feel a nerve in equalising from the spot as OFC ’keeper Anuj Kumar was wrong-footed only to fall on his knees and watch the ball shaking the net near the right post.

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