Odisha 1-4 ATK Mohun Bagan: Mariners maul over the juggernauts with Manvir, Krishna braces

Roy Krishna-ATK Mohun Bagan

The 84th match of the Hero Indian Super League saw goals galore in the second half where Odisha FC suffered a rather embarrassing 4-1 defeat in the hands of ATK Mohun Bagan. After managing an equaliser within the first half itself, the Juggernauts still had a chance to pull back the game for themselves. However, a slew of brilliant goals by the Mariners in the second half meant they had no chance whatsoever. 

It was a splendid display of dominance and grit in the second half by the Mariners. They had brought their A game into display, showing why they are ranked second in the points table, and exposed the fallacies of Odisha FC and why they are not having a good run in this tournament.

The deadlock was broken early on in the game by ATK Mohun Bagan with a superb finish from Manvir Singh. Roy Krishna played a sneaky ball to him in a tricky position inside the box and Manvir Singh didn’t disappoint. He performed a step over and cut in towards the goal and and bent in towards the far post with a superb finish.

The next chance came for Lenny Rodrigues after receiving a ball off a deflection from a Roy Krishna pass, but he failed to score being just inches away from the top bar. It was a brilliant effort from the debutant.  

While the Mariners kept their grip on the game, it was a beauty from Odisha FC captain Cole Alexander that suddenly brought the equaliser in the extra time of the first half, and they couldn’t ask for a better timing. A goalbound attempt from Paul Ramfangzauva came off the woodwork and in Cole Alexander’s way and his sweetly struck long-distance shot found its way to the back of the net.

But the scoreline soon went in the Mariners’ way. It was Manvir Singh who scored again and completed his brace. And it was Roy Krishna again making the assist, as he sent the ball towards the right side of the penalty area. Manvir Singh then finished it with poise and the Mariners got the lead again.

Disaster struck in the 82nd minute for the Juggernauts as their captain Cole Alexander had mistakenly committed a handball inside his own penalty area. The subsequent penalty was taken by Roy Krishna and he finished it no problems. Odisha FC was down 3-1 in the 83rd minute and it was all but game over for them. To add insult to the injury, they conceded yet another goal from none other than a Roy Krishna – Manvir Singh attempt, completing the former’s quickfire 3-minute brace. Manvir Singh’s header directed the ball towards Roy Krishna and he proved to be too strong for his marker as he shoved the ball inside the net.

It was a comfortable win for the Mariners as much as it was a one-sided match for us to witness. Kudos to Roy Krishna and Manvir Singh who looked like an amazing attacking pair for the Mariners. 

Hero of the Match: Manvir Singh

It was tonight’s splendid attacking duo of Roy Krishna and Manvir Singh again in the awards ceremony as the DHL Winning Pass of the Match was given to Roy Krishna for his brilliant assists and the Hero of the Match award was given to Manvir Singh for his first-ever Hero ISL brace.

The Mariners now have 30 points from 15 matches, at the second position in the table. They face a struggling Bengaluru FC on 9th February in their next. Odisha FC, on the other hand, were simply outplayed in all three departments today, and have only 8 points from 15 matches. They would want to try their best in their next match against the Kerala Blasters on 11th February.