Odisha 0-1 Hyderabad: Aridane Santana spot-kick separates the teams

Hyderabad beat Odisha 1-0 in their opening match of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim.

Aridane Santana scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the 35th minute to secure a win for his new team.

Manuel Roca's side was the dominant side right from the beginning and could have scored the opening goal within five minutes of the match had Aridane Santana been a little more efficient in front of goal. The Hyderabad skipper failed to convert a free-header from Lluis Sastre’s corner from a very close range and the ball went wide.

Within two minutes of Santana’s missed chance came another opportunity for young Akash Mishra who attempted a long-range shot from Sastre’s corner but Odisha custodian Arshdeep Singh did well to block the effort.

In the 34th minute, from a quick counter-attack, Santana found Halicharan Narzary at the edge of the box with a square pass. The Indian winger attempted a shot on goal and the ball hit Odisha skipper Steven Taylor on his left arm as the English defender tried to block the shot. A penalty was awarded and Santana made no mistake from 12 yards out.

Halicharan Narzary had another opportunity to score just minutes before the half time whistle. His curling effort was tipped over the bar by the outstretched arm of the keeper. 

Odisha got their first major goal-scoring chance of the match after the restart and it was due to blunder from Joao Victor. The Spaniard failed to intercept a long ball from Odisha’s half and the ball fell to Nandhakumar Sekar. The winger took a touch near the box and pulled the trigger but Akash Mishra did well to intercept the shot.

Manuel Marquez introduced Liston Colaco and Laldanmawia Ralte on the flanks and the changes worked well for the away side as they looked even more dangerous in the second half. They could have doubled their lead but couldn't finish off their forays forward. 

This was the first time in Hyderabad's brief history that they managed to keep a clean sheet in an ISL game. They next take on Bengaluru on November 28 while Odisha face Jamshedpur the next day.