The win marked Odisha’s biggest-ever victory in the league and Hyderabad’s heaviest defeat, a night the home side would want to forget.
Published Date – 25 November 2024, 11:42 PM
Odisha’s Lalthathanga Khawlhring (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring against HFC in Hyderabad on Monday.
Hyderabad: Odisha FC delivered a dominant performance to thrash Hyderabad FC 6-0 in an Indian Super League encounter at the GMC Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad on Monday. Goals from Isak Vanlalruatfela, Diego Mauricio, an own goal by HFC goalkeeper Lalbiakhlua Jongte, Mourtada Fall, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, and Rahim Ali highlighted a statement win for the Juggernauts. This marked Odisha’s biggest-ever victory in the league and Hyderabad’s heaviest defeat, a night the home side would want to forget.
Odisha’s head coach Sergio Lobera, known for his tactical brilliance, guided Odisha to an emphatic win after a three-game winless streak. Meanwhile, Hyderabad FC, brimming with confidence after their recent win over Kerala Blasters FC, found themselves completely outplayed.
The Juggernauts opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Isak Vanlalruatfela slotted the ball into the bottom-left corner after a quick throw-in caught the Hyderabad defence off-guard. Hyderabad’s best chance of the first half came in the 21st minute when Stefan Sapic’s header narrowly missed the target.
Odisha doubled their lead in the 30th minute through substitute Diego Mauricio, who replaced the injured Roy Krishna. Jerry Mawihmingthanga outpaced the Hyderabad defence on the right flank, setting up Mauricio, who had ample space to finish inside the box. Hyderabad showed some promise toward the end of the first half, with Abdul Rabeeh’s runs down the right flank causing minor problems. However, their efforts failed to produce a goal, and Odisha went into the break with a 2-0 advantage.
The second half began disastrously for Hyderabad as Jongte’s own goal in the 51st minute extended Odisha’s lead to 3-0. Mawihmingthanga’s touch led to confusion, resulting in Jongte deflecting the ball into his own net.
Despite introducing Cy Goddard, who created a spark by linking up with Allan Paulista, Hyderabad couldn’t find a breakthrough. Edmilson Correia squandered two golden opportunities, missing the target from outside the box and seeing another effort blocked. Odisha added to Hyderabad’s misery in the 70th minute, with centre-back Mourtada Fall left unmarked to head home from a corner. Five minutes later, Mauricio turned provider, assisting Lalthathanga Khawlhring to make it 5-0. The rout was complete in the 89th minute when Rahim Ali coolly slotted in the sixth goal, underscoring Odisha’s title-contender credentials.
The victory lifted Odisha FC from ninth to fourth in the standings with 12 points, Hyderabad, with just seven points, remain 11th, leaving head coach Thangboi Singto to reflect on a night of costly errors and missed opportunities.
