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Odisha FC Held to a 0-0 Draw by Mohammedan SC, Playoff Hopes Faded
Odisha FC’s hopes of securing a playoff spot faded after a 0-0 draw against Mohammedan SC on Friday at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Despite a solid first half and some promising moments in the second, the Kalinga Warriors were unable to break the deadlock. With only one point from the match, Odisha FC's playoff aspirations effectively ended for the season.
The match began with Odisha FC playing aggressively, knowing the importance of securing a win. In the 5th minute, Isak delivered a precise long diagonal pass to Rahim, who cleverly laid it off to Rahul KP. However, Rahul’s shot sailed high over the bar, missing an early chance to take the lead.
Defensively, the team looked solid in the opening 25 minutes. Carlos Delgado and Thoiba stood strong in defense, with Delgado making crucial interventions to deny Manvir, who was poised to score on two separate occasions. The first came when Delgado and Thoiba blocked Manvir’s shot and forced a corner for the opposition, and later, Delgado made a brilliant sliding tackle to clear a clear opportunity inside the box.
Odisha FC continued to press for an opener, and in the 27th minute, a well-executed set-piece by Saviour found Thoiba, but his header went wide. Just a few minutes later, a long ball into the box fell to Isak, whose low shot was saved by the Mohammedan goalkeeper. The Kalinga Warriors’ defense, led by Delgado, held firm, and the first half ended without any goals, despite a couple of close calls.
The second half began with Odisha FC showing intent, as they pushed forward in search of the opener. In the 50th minute, Isak’s curling shot from outside the box narrowly missed the target, going just over the bar. Two minutes later, Isak fired a cross from the left, which was deflected off the goalkeeper and away from onrushing Diego, who had been waiting to pounce on the loose ball.
The attacking play continued, and in the 58th minute, Isak and Rahim linked up well just outside the box, but Rahim’s shot was collected easily by the goalkeeper. As the match wore on, the Warriors grew more desperate for a goal. In the 70th minute, Saviour whipped in a dangerous cross into the box, but the ball was deflected out for a corner, signaling a missed opportunity for Odisha FC.
In the dying moments of the game, Odisha FC threw everything forward in search of a late winner. Rahim Ali drew a foul just outside the box in the final two minutes, giving Odisha a free-kick in a dangerous area. However, the resulting set-piece failed to produce the desired outcome, and the match ended in a goalless draw.
Looking ahead, the Kalinga Warriors will play their final league game of the season on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, against Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur.
Odisha FC Held to a 0-0 Draw by Mohammedan SC, Playoff Hopes Faded
Odisha FC’s hopes of securing a playoff spot faded after a 0-0 draw against Mohammedan SC on Friday at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Despite a solid first half and some promising moments in the second, the Kalinga Warriors were unable to break the deadlock. With only one point from the match, Odisha FC's playoff aspirations effectively ended for the season.
The match began with Odisha FC playing aggressively, knowing the importance of securing a win. In the 5th minute, Isak delivered a precise long diagonal pass to Rahim, who cleverly laid it off to Rahul KP. However, Rahul’s shot sailed high over the bar, missing an early chance to take the lead.
Defensively, the team looked solid in the opening 25 minutes. Carlos Delgado and Thoiba stood strong in defense, with Delgado making crucial interventions to deny Manvir, who was poised to score on two separate occasions. The first came when Delgado and Thoiba blocked Manvir’s shot and forced a corner for the opposition, and later, Delgado made a brilliant sliding tackle to clear a clear opportunity inside the box.
Odisha FC continued to press for an opener, and in the 27th minute, a well-executed set-piece by Saviour found Thoiba, but his header went wide. Just a few minutes later, a long ball into the box fell to Isak, whose low shot was saved by the Mohammedan goalkeeper. The Kalinga Warriors’ defense, led by Delgado, held firm, and the first half ended without any goals, despite a couple of close calls.
The second half began with Odisha FC showing intent, as they pushed forward in search of the opener. In the 50th minute, Isak’s curling shot from outside the box narrowly missed the target, going just over the bar. Two minutes later, Isak fired a cross from the left, which was deflected off the goalkeeper and away from onrushing Diego, who had been waiting to pounce on the loose ball.
The attacking play continued, and in the 58th minute, Isak and Rahim linked up well just outside the box, but Rahim’s shot was collected easily by the goalkeeper. As the match wore on, the Warriors grew more desperate for a goal. In the 70th minute, Saviour whipped in a dangerous cross into the box, but the ball was deflected out for a corner, signaling a missed opportunity for Odisha FC.
In the dying moments of the game, Odisha FC threw everything forward in search of a late winner. Rahim Ali drew a foul just outside the box in the final two minutes, giving Odisha a free-kick in a dangerous area. However, the resulting set-piece failed to produce the desired outcome, and the match ended in a goalless draw.
Looking ahead, the Kalinga Warriors will play their final league game of the season on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, against Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur.
