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India’s Odisha FC moved through to the Inter-zone Play-off Semi-finals of the AFC Cup 2023-24 on Monday with a 1-0 win over 10-man Bashundhara Kings at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar that ensures Sergio Lobera’s side finish top of Group D.
Mourtada Fall’s 61st minute header secured victory for Odisha FC after Asror Gafurov’s sending off in first half injury time, with the win taking Odisha FC onto 12 points to see them leapfrog the side from Bangladesh and finish the group phase in pole position.
A draw would have been enough to take Bashundhara Kings, who led the group at the start of the day’s play, through to the next round and with so much at stake chances were at a premium in the opening exchanges.
Odisha FC’s Diego Mauricio saw his 17th minute strike from distance deflected wide and Lalthathang Khawlhring ballooned a 25-yard effort well over the bar moments later as the hosts sought a way through.
Carlos Delgado headed over the bar after the Bashundhara Kings defence failed to clear a corner while Rakib Hossain had a rare glimpse of goal at the other end but only managed to shoot straight at Amrinder Singh.
A tense game turned in the second minute of first half injury time when referee Ngoy Duy Lan showed Gafurov a straight red card following a sliding challenge on Ahmed Jahouh near the centre circle that left the Odisha midfielder in a heap on the turf.
Odisha FC looked to take advantage of their numerical superiority early in the second half, with Roy Krishna bursting down the left and fizzing in a low ball that Diego steered wide with a first-time shot.
Diego tried his luck again, this time from 20 yards, only to find Mehedi Hasan Srabon’s arms while the Bashundhara Kings goalkeeper reacted quickly to deny Krishna, pushing the ball wide after the Fijian was played in by Khawlhring.
From the resulting Jahouh corner the home side went ahead as Fall emerged through the defence to power his header past Srabon from eight yards to finally break the deadlock.
Srabon prevented Odisha FC from doubling their lead, keeping out Diego’s shot after the striker had shrugged off Tariq Kazi’s challenge to reach Jahouh’s through ball.
He then pushed Krishna’s 73rd minute effort wide and in the end Fall’s header was enough to secure Odisha FC the win required to book their place in the next phase of the competition.
Congratulations @OdishaFC on making it into the knockout rounds of the #AFCCup with a 1-0 win against #BasundharaKings!#IndianFootball #OdishaFC
— Arunava Chaudhuri | arunfoot (@Arunfoot) December 11, 2023
