Wilmar Jordan Gil showcased his brilliance with two quick goals, taking his season tally to eight. However, Chennaiyin FC settled for a thrilling 2-2 draw against Odisha FC in the Indian Super League 2024-25 on Thursday.
Strong Line-Up and Tactical Decisions
To begin with, Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle made bold tactical choices. He opted for an all-Indian backline, which saw the return of Ankit Mukherjee after his injury. Additionally, the attack featured a formidable lineup with Lukas Brambilla, Irfan Yadwad, Connor Shields, Daniel Chima Chukwu, and Jordan Gil all starting.
First Half: Missed Opportunities and Resilient Defense
In the first half, Chennaiyin created several chances. For example, Brambilla came close in the 15th minute, while Gil threatened in the 30th. Meanwhile, Odisha had a chance to score but goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz stepped up with a crucial low save, ensuring the score remained level.
Second Half: Quick Goals and Near Misses
As the second half began, Chennaiyin upped the intensity. Almost immediately, Brambilla forced a brilliant save from Odisha’s Amrinder Singh. Shortly after, Chennaiyin’s persistence paid off. Shields intercepted a loose pass and quickly squared the ball to Gil, who tapped it in for the opening goal in the 48th minute.
Just five minutes later, Gil doubled the lead. This time, Shields delivered another precise assist from the opposite flank, allowing Gil to score again. The home fans erupted in celebration.
However, Gil narrowly missed a hat-trick in the 64th minute. Brambilla’s cross set him up perfectly, but his header hit the post. On the other end, Bikash Yumnam bravely blocked a powerful shot from Diego Mauricio, though the effort forced him to leave the field due to injury.
Odisha’s Late Comeback
Despite Chennaiyin’s dominance, Odisha mounted a late comeback. First, in the 80th minute, Dorielton scored to reduce the deficit, although the goal appeared offside. Then, in the eighth minute of stoppage time, Odisha equalized. Although Nawaz made a brilliant save seconds earlier, the ball deflected off him and into the net, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, Chennaiyin FC will aim to bounce back. They will face Mohammedan SC in an away game on January 15. The team will look to turn their attacking form into a crucial victory.