Indian Super League side Odisha FC came back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Maziya Sports & Recreation of Maldives 3-2 in a Group D away match of the AFC Cup on Tuesday.
The win kept Odisha’s hopes of advancing to the Inter-Zone semifinals of the AFC Cup (the continent’s second-tier club competition) alive while the defeat left Maziya on the ropes.
Maziya took the lead in the second minute, following a fine team move with Aisam dribbling his way into the Odisha box before laying off for Naiz Hassan, who scored with a simple finish.
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Odisha, who defeated Maziya 6-1 in the home 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.
Odisha’s Roy Krishna then saw his effort blocked in the 12th minute.
The Indian side, however, suffered another jolt 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 to scoring again in the 42nd minute when Balabanovic set up Hamza Mohamed, whose shot forced a save from Odisha keeper Amrinder Singh.
Odisha came back fighting in the second half. They reduced the margin in the 65th minute off a corner kick with Mourtada Fall nodding home Ahmed Jahouh’s cross.
The goal spurred Odisha further as they levelled the tie in the 72nd minute with Jahouh sending a fine cross for Diego Maurício to head home from inside the six-yard box.
Odisha completed the comeback in the 85th minute with Krishna netting the winning goal.
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Mohun Bagan VS Bashundhara Kings
Indian Super League champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant came up short against their Bangladeshi opponents Bashundhara Kings on Tuesday as the Kolkata giants slumped to a 1-2 defeat on the road.
Juan Ferrando’s men raced ahead to the lead in the 17th minute of the game through a Liston Colaco strike, before the home side levelled just before the break through Miguel Ferreira.
The Kings took home all points on offer as they turned things around in the 80th minute of the game with Robinho finding the back of the net to complete the come-from-behind victory against the Indian unit.
The game’s first goal came when, off a rebound, Colaco struck the ball into the back of the net and while Bashundhara goalkeeper Mehdi Srabon tried to parry Jason Cummings’ low cross away, his attempt lacked power.
Bashundhara had a great opportunity to draw level in the 31st minute when Rakib Hossain’s cross found Ferreira at the far post but the Brazilian failed to get his shot on target.
Putting in a stellar defensive display, Mohun Bagan did everything they could to keep their lead.
However, Bashundhara’s relentless quest to find the equaliser bore fruit when Miguel Ferreira, having received the ball on the edge of the box, scored a stunning goal with his left foot in the 44th minute.
Thanks to that strike at the stroke of half time, the two teams went into the breather sharing the honours.
Both teams produced some lively football in the first half, and looked to do the same after the break.
Showing attacking intent first up were the players from Mohun Bagan who passed the ball around quite fluently.
Two minutes after his free kick was cleared to safety, Hugo Boumous came close again for Mohun Bagan, but his shot missed the target by a whisker. Soon after, Robinho took a shot but that just about went past Vishal Kaith’s right-hand post.
Basundhara Kings regrouped and looked to call the shots.
There was very good opportunity for Mohun Bagan to regain the lead but Glan Martins’ shot, after receiving a pass from Boumous, went wide.
Soon after, Jason Cummings found the back of the net with a powerful shot but the Australian was offside, leaving the Mariners frustrated.
The Bangladesh club completed a fine comeback when Rakib Hossain provided an assist for Robinho, who calmly slotted the ball past an unsighted Kaith for the winner.
The win sees Bashundhara replace their opponents as leaders of Group D by virtue of a better head-to-head record with both teams tied on seven points apiece, with Odisha FC one adrift.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)