ISL Match Result: Odisha FC Beat Punjab FC 1-0; Roy Krishna Scores Only Goal In First Half

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ISL Match Result: Odisha FC posted a crucial 1-0 win over Punjab FC in New Delhi on Monday (December 26) as they climbed to third place on the Indian Super League points table. Roy Krishna scored the winning goal in the 21st minute while Kalinga Warriors kept their third consecutive clean sheet.

Odisha FC also extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games in all competitions while Sergio Lobera's side kept close to 65% of the possession. Isaak Ralte was awarded the Man of the Match as he set up the winning goal as well.

Odisha FC were unable to break the deadlock in their goalless away tie with East Bengal FC. In response in the next game, Lobera unleashed Diego Mauricio and Krishna, his strike pair, which allowed the Juggernauts to consistently apply pressure to the ISL rookies.

In the eighteenth minute, Krishna struck a shot that was slightly off target on the right side of the net after Ahmed Jahouh produced a crisp corner from a set-piece. Three minutes later, talented teenage winger Isak Ralte gave Punjab FC a chance, and they took advantage of it since the defending Super Cup winners had put them on the back foot.

Isak has advanced considerably under Lobera's guidance. From close range, he set up Krishna for the winner, and when he put the ball in the back of the net, he didn't even blink. In the 27th minute, Mauricio managed to fire from a challenging angle after edging through a tight scenario, but the home team blocked his attempt.

With Samuel Kynshi and Madih Talal collaborating to take aim at the Odisha FC defense, Punjab FC also had their opportunities. But a solid defence led by Amrinder Singh, an experienced goalkeeper with 44 ISL clean sheets to his name, made sure the home squad did little to jeopardise their chances of winning.

Odisha FC will now host Jamshedpur FC on December 29, whereas the first half of the ISL season for Punjab FC has come to an end with this match.