On Wednesday, January 17, 2024, in a Group D match of the Kalinga Super Cup at the Kalinga Stadium Main Pitch in Bhubaneswar, the defending champions Odisha FC easily defeated a 10-man Inter Kashi 3-0.
Isak Vanlalruatfela, Diego Mauricio, and Lalthathanga Khawlhring scored goals for Odisha FC. After defender Anil Chawan of Inter Kashi was sent off in the 75th minute, his team was reduced to playing with ten men for the remainder of the game.
With six points from two games, Odisha topped their group thanks to the victory. They lead FC Goa in goal differential even though they have the same number of points. Bengaluru FC was defeated by FC Goa in an early Wednesday match. When Odisha FC plays FC Goa in their final group match on Monday, January 22, it will be a winner-take-all contest since only one team will advance from the group to the semi-finals. Odisha may be content with a draw, even though FC Goa must win.
Inter Kashi and Bengaluru FC are both out of the tournament.
Regardless of the final score, Inter Kashi fought valiantly in the first half of the game. The I-League team put in a lot of effort to win the exchanges. But by playing shrewd football and making use of the pitch’s width, Odisha FC gradually gained control of the game. The proficiency of strikers such as Diego Mauricio and Roy Krishna contributed to Odisha’s well-crafted rhythm.
Mourtada Fall’s close-range attempt to score in the 20th minute gave Odisha the first opportunity of the game. When the ball bounced in front of Arindam Bhattacharya of Kashi, the goalie was quick to react and stop the threat.
By halftime, Odisha had finally taken the lead. Bhattacharya did a great job of coming off his line and fist-balling the ball away after Jerry Lalrinzuala floated in a cross from the left. But Khawlhring scored the first goal for the team with a strong strike off the rebound.
In the second half, Odisha maintained their momentum and increased their lead in the 58th minute. The defenders from Inter Kashi were caught in possession, and Mauricio was able to take control of the ball thanks to their careless behavior. The attacker took advantage of the opportunity to score Odisha’s second goal.
In the 75th minute, referee Aditya Purkayastha gave defender Anil Chawan the order to march, effectively ending Kashi’s hopes of making a comeback.
When Odisha scored their third goal in the 79th minute, they caused Kashi even more grief. Isak Vanlalruatfela and Roy Krishna exchanged quick passes before he bounded past his defenders to score a hard-hitting goal and light up the Odisha dugout.
Odisha FC Starting XI
L. Ralte (GK), Amey, C. Delgado, Puitea, Diego, Jahouh, M. Fall (C), Jerry L, Isak Ralte, ROy Krishna, Princeton
Inter Kashi Starting XI
Arindam Bhattacharya (GK), Kojam Beyong, Sandip Mandi, Anil Chawan, Sumeet Passi, Jordan Lamela, Fran Gomez, Julen Perez, Edmund Lalrindika, Asif Khan, Mario Barco
