Odisha FC Clinches Vital 2-1 Win Over Sporting Club Delhi in ISL Battle
Odisha FC defeated Sporting Club Delhi 2-1 in their Indian Super League match on Friday at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Goals from Suhair VP and K Lalrinfela secured an early lead for the visitors, while Matija Babovic's penalty offered Sporting Club Delhi a late consolation. This result lifts Odisha FC to 11th place with 10 points from 11 games, heightening their fight against relegation in the competitive ISL 2025-26 season.
Swift Strikes Set the Tone
Odisha FC struck first within four minutes. Suhair VP headed in a cross from Sanathoi Singh Heikrujam to stun the home crowd and open a 1-0 lead. The visitors doubled their advantage in the 13th minute when Lalthathanga Khawlhring assisted K Lalrinfela, who fired a powerful right-footed shot past goalkeeper Nora Fernandes.
Sporting Club Delhi regained composure and mounted pressure before halftime. Lamgoulen Gou and Matija Babovic tested Odisha's defense, and Mohammed Aimen squandered a clear chance. The half ended 2-0, with Odisha holding firm despite the hosts' growing threat.
Second-Half Pressure and Drama
Sporting Club Delhi intensified their attack after the break, substituting Julio Rivas for added firepower. Mohammed Aimen forced a save from Odisha goalkeeper Anuj Kumar in the 58th minute, but clear openings remained scarce. The game turned physical around the hour mark, with yellow cards shown to Odisha's Subham Bhattacharya and Anuj Kumar for tactical fouls.
A turning point came in the 70th minute when Odisha's Puitea handled the ball in the box, conceding a penalty. Babovic converted it four minutes later, pulling the score to 2-1. Substitute Kartik Hantal missed a one-on-one for Odisha in the 79th minute, while Sporting Club Delhi's Julio Rivas and Sourav K drew late saves in the 83rd and 89th.
Resilience Secures Points Amid Late Chaos
Seven minutes of added time brought intense pressure from Sporting Club Delhi, who earned bookings for Ousmane Fane and Clarence Fernandes amid rising tensions. A late free-kick offered hope, but Odisha defended stoutly to claim the three points. K Lalrinfela earned Player of the Match honors for his midfield dominance alongside Suhair VP.
Odisha FC now sit 11th on 10 points, ahead of Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United FC, while Sporting Club Delhi hold 10th on the same tally but better goal difference. The win revives Odisha's survival bid; Sporting Club Delhi dominated possession yet faltered in conversion, underscoring the ISL's tight margins where efficiency trumps control.
