After two seasons of goal droughts and being deemed past his peak, Roy Krishna has rediscovered his scoring touch with Odisha FC in the Indian Super League (ISL).
On Tuesday, the Fiji international netted his 13th goal of the ongoing campaign, leading his team to a crucial 2-1 comeback win in the semi-final first leg against his former club, ATK Mohun Bagan.
Krishna’s resurgence under coach Sergio Lobera has revitalized his ISL career, which began under the tutelage of Antonio Lopez Habas. The 37-year-old striker, who played a pivotal role in ATK Mohun Bagan’s ISL title triumph in 2019-20, has now scored more goals than during any other season since then.
Part of the reason for Krishna’s resurgence could be Lobera’s ability to get the best out of cast-offs. That goal, after Manvir Singh’s third minute strike was canceled by Carlos Delgado in the 11th, gave Odisha FC a comeback 2-1 win in the semi-final first-leg. After 13 games, they remained unbeaten at home this term.
For a team that likes to keep the ball and move it with a tapestry of passes, Odisha FC couldn’t have gone more direct than they did in the 39th minute. Amrinder Singh punted it up the Kalinga Stadium park, Krishna tried to bring it down with a header but couldn’t control it. Mohun Bagan central defender Hector Yuste fluffed his clearance and Krishna muscled past him to score with the outside of his boot.
Krishna drawing a foul from Vishal Kaith in the 14th minute would have led to a penalty, referee Tejas Nagvenkar even pointed to the spot, but he was marginally off-side.
Through Tuesday evening, Krishna tormented Yuste, the Spaniard barreling into him was proof of how the match had gone for the reliable Mohun Bagan player. Armando Sadiku’s barrelling into Ahmed Jahouh in the 67th minute after flailing an arm at Amey Ranawade, both totally unnecessary, led to Mohun Bagan being down to 10. Delgado’s handball in the 73rd restored parity in personnel.
Narender Gahlot’s scuffed clearance hit Anirudh Thapa’s thigh, Anwar Ali volleyed over a Dimitri Petratos free-kick and Krishna nearly found Mawihmingthanga but the scoreline didn’t change after Manvir Singh and Delgado scored off poorly defended corner-kicks.
Eight days after becoming India champions, Mohun Bagan face a battle for survival at home on Sunday.
