ISL-9: Isak Ralte Scores Wonder Goal As Odisha FC Beat Defending Champs Hyderabad 3-1

Bhubaneswar: Odisha FC played one of their best matches of the season to upset defending champions Hyderabad FC 3-1 at Kalinga Stadium here on Friday evening.

Their first win in over a month swelled Odisha’s tally to 27 points from 18 matches and took them to sixth place in the ISL-9 standings. The top 6 will qualify for the playoff stage.

Odisha FC dominated second-placed Hyderabad, who have already qualified, from the world go.

But they had to wait 33 minutes before getting their nose in front.

It was a breathtaking strike from Isak Ralte. The 21-year-old striker from Mizoram received the ball on left side, moved up a few metres and curled in a wicked shot from more than 25 yards out that gave leaping Hyderabad goalie Gurmeet Singh no chance.

Hyderabad found the equaliser just before half-time as defender Nim Dorjee headed home after a free-kick rebounded and bounced in front of him.

Nim, however, was soon to forget his goal as he put one into his own net in the 72nd minute to hand the lead back to Odisha FC.

The prolific Diego Mauricio was rewarded for his hard work as he made it 3-1 for the home team 5 minutes into added time.