ISL 2025-26: Oscar Bruzon looked relieved after East Bengal's easy win vs Odisha FC

Ezzejjari Double Seals Big Win For East Bengal in Fatorda.

East Bengal eases past Odisha FC to remain in the title race in the Round 11 fixture of the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL). East Bengal remained in the hunt for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 title with a 3-0 win against Odisha FC at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The Torchbearers cruise to three points against the Juggernauts in Goa, climbing up the ISL12 table.

The Red and Gold Brigade made a bright start to the game, with Bipin Singh Thounaojam scoring in the 11th minute. After a cagey first half, East Bengal doubled their lead in the 70th minute through Youssef Ezzejjari, with the Spanish-Moroccan scoring another in the 84th minute to wrap up the win. 

The win took the Red and Gold Brigade to fourth in the standings with 18 points from nine games, two behind leader and archrival Mohun Bagan Super Giant, which has played the same number of matches. Youssef Ezzejjari is also now the highest goal scorer of the league with nine goals, one goal ahead of Jamie Maclaren of Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

After the match against Odisha FC, East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon addressed the media. Here is a detailed report of the post-match press conference between East Bengal FC and Odisha FC.

Oscar Bruzon reflects on the easy win against Odisha

After an easy win against the Kalinga Warriors, East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon shared his viewpoints regarding the match and East Bengal’s strategies.

The Spanish Gaffer stated, “Most importantly, when we played our last game against Bengaluru FC last week, we got one vital point. After that match, it was really important to get the three points. The team played really well in the second half. After scoring the first goal in the first half, the team was a little behind. But at the end, I am happy to get all three points from this game.”

“We are playing a very consistent brand of football this season so far. We’ve only lost one match this season. The team is playing really well now. But there are places we can improve our game; we have that confidence amongst us. We are undefeated in our last 6 matches. After this, we will face Mumbai, Punjab and Mohun Bagan; we have to play against three tough opponents of the league this season. These matches will definitely define our season this year and define where we will finish this year as well, he also added.”

Game-plan against the Juggernauts

Bruzon stated, “As I said today in the game, we had kept some resources in the bench. We’ve been following some of the games of Odisha lately, they have some problems related to their squad after 60-65 minutes, so I am happy that the substitutions like Rashid, Jerry, Jay, Youssef and David maintained the intensity, Youssef scored those two goals and was able to close down the game in the second half, he also added.”

Bruzon commented on the uncertainty of the fixture this year

East Bengal was supposed to play this match against Odisha FC at the Salt Lake Stadium, but due to elections in West Bengal, the match was shifted to Goa at the last moment, and they had to play a home match in an away fixture and in front of away spectators as well.

Oscar said, “We have to adjust to everything. In this season, many teams are not getting a lot of home matches as well. In our case, this match was supposed to be played at Salt Lake, but due to elections in West Bengal, the match was shifted to Goa. To play a match in Goa is tougher than playing in Kolkata due to the conditions of the ground in Goa. And also, the humidity is quite high here in Goa. But I don’t want to complain about all these. Everyone is getting in trouble with the fixtures this year. But I am happy that the players who came from the bench in the second half closed down the game in favour of East Bengal, he finished off.”

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