ISL-9: Diego Mauricio Brace Helps Odisha FC End 4-Match Winless Streak

Bhubaneswar: Odisha FC ended a four-match winless run in style, thanks to Diego Mauricio’s brace, as they came from behind to beat East Bengal FC 3-1 at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday night.

The Juggernauts, having lost three and drawn one before this game – including their first defeat at home, on New Year Day against Mumbai City FC – moved up to fifth place in the ISL-9 standings with 22 points from 13 matches.

Cleiton Silva provided East Bengal the perfect start, chipping the ball over Odisha goalkeeper Amrinder Singh off an assist from fellow-Brazilian Alex Lima in the 10th minute.

Odisha FC retaliated immediately, and should have equalised after two minutes, had Jerry Mawihmingthang not missed a sitter.

Odisha were not to be denied in the 22nd minute as Mauricio deflected a corner from Raynier Fernandes past Suvam Sen.

Moments before half time, Odisha FC went in front for the first time as Nandhakumar Sekar, receiving a pass from Mauricio, cut in from the left flank and saw his intended cross sail over the East Bengal custodian.

Eight minutes after half time, Mauricio scored his second goal, again off a Raynier assist.