KOLKATA: A resilient East Bengal FC continued their unbeaten run for the fourth consecutive match in this ISL as they held Odisha FC 0-0 at the Salt Lake stadium here on Saturday. Some organised defence and good goalkeeping saw the home side not conceding a goal for the third straight match. However, the red-and-gold side might feel deprived of a victory by referee Senthil Nathan, whose two calls went against them.
Just before the long whistle, EB's Naurem Mahesh's shot hit Lenny Rodriguez's right elbow inside the box after another defender tried to head it away. However, the referee refused to give a penalty. Instead he booked an East Bengal player for protesting. Just three minutes later, Odisha escaped with another clear infringement when Lalrinzuala brought down East Bengal's substitute PV Vishnu inside the box by pulling his jersey. The Odisha side-back, who was already on a booking, however, seemed relieved, when he was let off by the match supervisor.
The result left EB at seventh position with 11 points while Odisha are fifth with 18 points.
Both sides played some aimless football in the first half, unable to produce meaningful attacks. Odisha created the first chance when Isak Vanlalruatfela's sudden shot early in the match from outside the box was saved by EB goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill. But with Borha Herrera, Naurem Mahesh and Nandakumar getting more active in the midfield, EB quickly got back in the game. Odisha goalkeeper Amarinder Singh had to rise to the occasion as he saved an attempt by Nandakumar in the 27th minute.
Odisha almost got a goal in the 61st minute when Jerry failed to connect a cross from Fijian forward Roy Krishna on the left that left the entire EB defence stranded.
