BHUBANESWAR 23-Feb-2020
Odisha FC ended their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with an entertaining 4-4 draw against Kerala Blasters at the Kalinga Stadium here today. Striker Manuel Onwu was the hero of the home team with a hat-trick.
On the other hand, Kerala Blasters captain Bartholomew Ogbeche netted twice to lead the Golden Boot standings with 15 goals to his name. Odisha FC finished sixth at the league stage with 25 points from 18 games, which included seven wins, seven defeats and four draws.
Odisha took the lead through Manuel Onwu in the very first attack of the game. A Jerry Mawihmingthanga cross saw Onwu head it first time as he left Bilal Khan stranded to his position to make it 1-0.
However, Kerala equalised soon after as Messi Bouli crossed into the box which saw Narayan Das slam the ball into the back of his own net. The visitors went ahead 2-1 when a Carneiro cross was comfortably controlled by Messi and with his second touch slammed it home to beat the goalkeeper.
In the 36th minute, Onwu scored his second of the evening; this time from a set-piece as his free-kick sailed into the back of the net. Martin Guedes converted a penalty kick in the 44th minute to make it 3-2 for the home side.
Onwu completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute as his free-kick went straight into the far corner to take his goals tally for Odisha to seven from four matches. But Ogbeche was caught on his neck by Dorronsoro and the subsequent penalty was dispatched in the 83rd minute by the Nigerian as he scored his 15th goal of the campaign. Ogbeche again scored from the penalty spot in added time to end the match at 4-4.
The eye-catching performance Onwu handed him the Hero of the Match award, while the Player of the Match award went to Ogbeche. The awards for Winning Pass of the Match and Emerging Player of the Match were claimed by Jessel Carneiro and Jerry Mawihmingthanga respectively.
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PHOTO: Odisha FC striker Manuel Onwu (left) in action against Kerala Blasters during their last ISL match in Bhubaneswar on 23 February, 2020.
