Margao (Goa): An eighth minute strike by Diego Mauricio helped Odisha FC (OFC) earn a draw against Bengaluru FC (FC) in their ISL encounter here Sunday. However, this one point also would not have been possible had it not been for the brilliance of Arshdeep Singh under the Odisha FC bar. It was Arshdeep who made a number of stunning saves to salvage a point for OFC. On the other hand, Eric Paartalu got the equaliser late into the second half.
BFC came into the match after losing five of their last six games. However, they did not start well and fell behind to an early goal. Jerry Mawihmingthanga of OFC took a quick free-kick and found Manuel Ownu on the right flank. The latter made a run and squared the ball inside the box to Mauricio who just had to tap-in to give Odisha the lead.
BFC’s first real look at the OFC goal came in the 18th minute. However, Rahul Bheke’s header was way off target. Late into the first half Arshdeep made two stunning saves. First he kept away a pile-driver from Paaratalu and then he was in position to parry away a Bheke header. It was because of Arshdeep only that OFC went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
In the second session BFC were all over the opponents with OFC just playing the waiting game and defending doggedly. However, it was OFC who on the counter-attack got an opening. However, Gupreet Singh Sandhu under the BFC made a stunning save off Jerry flinging himself to the right to keep his team in the game.
Midway into the second session, Sunil Chhetri set up a lovely through ball for Cleiton Silva but he shot wide. Immediately after that Cleiton was unlucky to see his free-kick clip the crosspiece and go over with Arshdeep out of position.
Then came the equalizer with Cleiton curling in a corner into the OFC box. Paartalu jumped above all others to nod the ball in.
