In a gripping first-leg semi-final encounter, league shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant faced off against Odisha FC, resulting in a 2-1 victory for Odisha FC despite both teams ending the match with 10 players.
The match showcased the resurgence of Roy Krishna, the Fiji international who had previously been off-loaded by ATK Mohun Bagan. Despite doubts about his form due to his age, Roy Krishna proved his worth by scoring his 13th goal of the season, marking his highest tally since winning the ISL in 2019-20. His goal, coming after an early strike from Manvir Singh for Mohun Bagan was canceled out by Carlos Delgado, sealed the victory for Odisha FC in the semi-final first leg.
Odisha FC’s playing style, typically characterized by a preference for possession and intricate passing, took an unexpected turn as they adopted a more direct approach, as evidenced by Amrinder Singh’s long punt upfield which led to Roy Krishna’s goal.
Throughout the match, Roy Krishna proved to be a constant threat to Mohun Bagan’s defense, drawing fouls and causing havoc for the opposition. Armando Sadiku’s unnecessary foul in the 67th minute resulted in Mohun Bagan being reduced to 10 players, leveling the playing field after Delgado’s earlier handball.
Despite some late attempts by Mohun Bagan to equalize the scoreline, including Manvir Singh and Delgado scoring off poorly defended corner-kicks, they were unable to salvage a result. As a result, eight days after being crowned India champions, Mohun Bagan now face a challenging battle for survival at home in the upcoming match.
Overall, the match provided an exciting display of skill and determination from both teams, with Odisha FC emerging victorious in the first leg of the semi-final despite facing stiff competition from Mohun Bagan.
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