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Odisha FC of India came from two goals down to defeat Maldives’ Maziya Sports & Recreation 3-2 in Group D of the AFC Cup 2023/24 on Tuesday, November 7.
The win kept Odisha FC’s hopes of advancing to the Inter-Zone Semifinals alive while the defeat leaves Maziya on the ropes.
Maziya threatened as early as the second minute with Ibrahim Aisam finding space above the box before sending his shot wide.
The Maldivian club took the lead in the second minute, capping off a fine team move with Aisam the orchestrator when he dribbled inside the box before laying off for Naiz Hassan to score with a simple finish.
Odisha FC, who defeated Maziya 6-1 in the reverse fixture, came close to scoring in the seventh minute when Lalthathanga Khawlhring burst into the area before setting up Cy Goddard, who sent his shot wide.
Both teams traded barbs with Odisha FC’s Roy Krishna seeing his effort blocked in the 12th minute, while Maziya almost found a way through when Branimir Jocic sent Khalil Gamal Elbezawy through on goal, only for the midfielder to be flagged offside.
Odisha FC, however, suffered woe in the 25th minute when they conceded a penalty following Mourtada Fall’s tackle on Vojislav Balabanovic, who coolly converted from the spot.
Odisha FC, however, suffered woe in the 25th minute when they conceded a penalty following Mourtada Fall’s tackle on Vojislav Balabanovic, who coolly converted from the spot.
Maziya dominated the rest of the half and came close again in the 42nd minute when Balabanovic set up Hamza Mohamed, whose shot forced a save from Odisha FC keeper Amrinder Singh.
Odisha FC came back fighting in the second half and their efforts to get back into the tie bore fruit in the 65th minute off a set-piece corner with Mourtada Fall nodding home Ahmed Jahouh cross.
The goal spurred Odisha further as the Indian side levelled the tie in the 72nd minute with Jahouh the orchestrator again, who crossed in for Diego Maurício to head home from inside the six-yard-box.
Odisha FC completed the comeback in the 85th minute with Krishna netting the winning goal.
Odisha FC face India Super League rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Matchday Five, while Maziya meet Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings.
