OFC 2-2 CFC Highlights: A goal-fest comes to an end as Odisha FC vs Chennaiyin FC ends in a draw; Javier Hernandez and Rahim Ali were amongst the scorers

OFC 2-2 CFC Highlights: A draw really won’t be beneficial for either of the sides! However, we witnessed a really exciting game. The second half had got exciting and it was Odisha FC who were better off the blocks in the second and they this time got an early goal through Jonathas Cristian. Chennaiyin FC then got into the groove and kept knocking on the door. They were finally rewarded as Nerijus Valskis scored the equalizer. He then had the chance to take CFC into the lead but he missed an open goal. Post that, both the sides struggled to create openings and in the end, both the teams were probably happy with a draw. Follow all the ISL 2021-22 LIVE Updates only on InsideSport.IN

OFC 2-2 CFC Highlights: A goal-fest comes to an end as Odisha FC vs Chennaiyin FC ends in a draw; Javier Hernandez and Rahim Ali were amongst the scorers

FULL-TIME | #OFCCFC@OdishaFC 🆚 @ChennaiyinFC ends in a 2️⃣-2️⃣ stalemate, as no one gets the crucial 3️⃣ points 👀#HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/lhUcyAdotj

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 16, 2022

OFC 2-2 CFC Highlights: Odisha FC vs Chennaiyin FC ends in a draw

Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC were dealt body blows to their flailing semifinal aspirations as they shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw in the Indian Super League at the Tilak Maidan Stadium here on Wednesday.

Both teams had to win this game in order to keep their slim chances alive but a stalemate means while they are mathematically still not out, their chances of making the cut are all but over. Rahim Ali (2nd) opened the scoring for Chennaiyin before Javi Hernandez (18th) pulled one back for Odisha for Jonathas Cristian (51st) to help them go in front in the second half. But Nerijus Valskis found the back of the net for Chennaiyin to ensure their rivals don’t get all three points.

Both teams share a point after a great end-to-end battle in tonight’s #HeroISL clash! 🤜🤛

Watch the #ISLRecap in under 60 seconds of tonight’s encounter! 🍿#OFCCFC #LetsFootball | @OdishaFC @ChennaiyinFC pic.twitter.com/BwKGNpFJGO

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 16, 2022

OFC 2-2 CFC Highlights: Javier Hernandez and Rahim Ali were amongst the scorers

Chennaiyin remained in eighth place with 20 points from 17 matches while Odisha stayed in the seventh spot having 22 points from 17 matches. Chennaiyin nosed ahead inside the first two minutes, Rahim Ali tucking in a free-kick from Nerijus Valskis which was initially blocked but fell to the striker who was unmarked at the far post. It was all Chennaiyin in the opening 15 odd minutes but Sabir Pasha in charge of the team after Bozidar Bandovic parted ways with the club saw his team not being able to make the most of the great start.

Javi equalized in the 18th minute after some brilliant off-the-ball movement saw him get past his markers to then play a one-two with Jonathas Cristian and curl the ball with his left foot from outside the box and into the back of the net. Chennaiyin tried to keep more of the ball after the equalizer with Ariel Borysiuk’s ambitious attempt from yards outside the box flying over the bar.

OFC 2-2 CFC Highlights: A goal-fest comes to an end as Odisha FC vs Chennaiyin FC ends in a draw; Javier Hernandez and Rahim Ali were amongst the scorers

OFC 2-2 CFC Highlights:

Borysiuk did better with another effort closer to halftime but the ball just missed the target to sail over the bar. Jonathas then forced Debjit Majumder into a good save as the referee blew the whistle for halftime. Odisha started on the front foot in the second half and Jonathas helped them take the lead for the first time in the game, smashing home off a rebound after Chennaiyin defenders failed to clear the ball inside the area. Soon after, Jonathas chipped an effort before Valskis nodded in a powerful header into the bottom corner from a cross.

OFC 2-2 CFC Highlights: A goal-fest comes to an end as Odisha FC vs Chennaiyin FC ends in a draw; Javier Hernandez and Rahim Ali were amongst the scorers