THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 1, 2026
Captain
Carlos Delgado rose to the occasion with a decisive second-half header as
Odisha FC fought back to secure a 1-1 draw against Chennaiyin FC in the Indian
Super League 2025-26 at the Kalinga Stadium here on Sunday.
The result saw both sides share the spoils in a contest that ebbed and
flowed without either team asserting sustained dominance. Odisha FC are
provisionally placed ninth with two points, while Chennaiyin FC sit eleventh
with one point. Left-back Saviour Gama, impressive at both ends of the pitch,
was adjudged the Player of the Match.
The opening exchanges were cagey, with both teams probing cautiously and
struggling to find rhythm in the attacking third. Odisha produced the first
real moment of promise in the 14th minute when Isak Ralte surged down the left
on a quick counter, only to send his effort wide of the far post. Chennaiyin
responded through Iñigo Martín, whose attempt was blocked by the alert Gama,
while Pritam Kotal’s header from a corner failed to test the goalkeeper.
The visitors struck on the stroke of half-time. Farukh Choudhary’s
pinpoint corner in added time found Elsinho unmarked, and the defender powered
home a header to hand Chennaiyin a 1-0 lead. Odisha nearly responded
immediately, but Mohammad Nawaz produced a fine save to deny Rahul KP, as the
hosts went into the break trailing.
The second half mirrored the first in tempo, with chances at a premium.
Chennaiyin substitute Imran Khan fired over before Odisha found their
breakthrough from a set-piece in the 68th minute. Lalthathanga Khawlhring
delivered a deep free-kick into the box, and Delgado climbed above the defence
to guide a composed header into the net, restoring parity.
Chennaiyin pushed for a winner, but Amrinder Singh remained steady,
gathering Imran’s effort before Martín dragged a close-range chance wide.
Odisha, marshalled efficiently by Delgado at the back, held firm under late
pressure, while Rohit Kumar’s late header sailed over.
Despite a spirited finish from both sides, neither could produce the
decisive touch, and the final whistle confirmed a hard-fought draw in front of
the Kalinga faithful.
