Roy Krishna Leads Odisha FC to Victory Over Mohun Bagan in Semifinal Clash

Sayak Banerjee / 23-04-2024

In the first leg of the semifinals at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium, Mohun Bagan faced a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Odisha FC. Despite securing a crucial victory in the initial leg, Habas Brigade couldn’t maintain their advantage on Odisha’s home turf.

The upcoming second leg, scheduled for April 28th in the Youth Development League, holds immense significance as Mohun Bagan seeks to overturn their fortunes against Odisha FC and secure a spot in the final.

In a recent Mumbai encounter, Mohun Bagan swiftly took the lead against Odisha FC within 3 minutes. Manvir Singh’s header from a corner set the pace for Mohun Bagan. Despite Sergio Lobera’s team mounting a spirited comeback, Carlitos Delgado equalized for Odisha FC from another corner, levelling the score to 1-1. Referee initially awarded a penalty against Mohun Bagan in the 14th minute, but later overturned the decision upon consultation with the linesman, who confirmed Roy Krishna’s offside position.

Roy Krishna then turned the tables in favour of Odisha FC in the 39th minute with a stunning goal, outmanoeuvring Hector Yazbek and putting Odisha ahead 2-1 by halftime.

The second half saw both teams creating chances but failing to find the net again. With the match extending into extra time and both sides reduced to 10 players each after contentious decisions, the intensity remained high until the final whistle.

The stage is now set for a thrilling second leg encounter, where Mohun Bagan will aim to stage a comeback and Odisha FC will strive to maintain their lead and secure a place in the final. The rivalry between these two teams promises more drama in future encounters, both in the ISL and beyond.