| AFC Cup 2023-24 |
| Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, Odisha |
| 11 December 2023 |
| Odisha FC | Bashundhara Kings |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0 |
| Mourtada Fall 61′ |
| Odisha | Statistics | Bashundhara |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Shots | 7 |
| 5 | Shots on Target | 1 |
| 54% | Possession | 46% |
| 385 | Passes | 349 |
| 79% | Pass Accuracy | 78% |
| 15 | Fouls | 13 |
| 4% | Yellow Cards | 1% |
| 0 | Red Cards | 1 |
| 2% | Offsides | 2% |
| 10 | Corners | 2 |
In a historic evening at the Kalinga Stadium on Monday, Odisha FC clinched a narrow 1-0 triumph over Bashundhara Kings.
Mourtada Fall’s second-half goal propelled the Juggernauts to the pinnacle of Group D, marking their maiden qualification for the AFC Cup knockout rounds.
| Pos | Club | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Odisha FC | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 12 |
| 2 | Bashundhara Kings | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 3 | Mohun Bagan | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 7 |
| 4 | Maziya | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 14 | -5 | 6 |
Entering the match, Odisha FC had a straightforward task – maintain their formidable home record and secure three points. Any other outcome would have allowed Bashundhara Kings to leapfrog them in the group standings.
Riding high on a six-game unbeaten streak, head coach Sergio Lobera fielded all six foreign players in the starting lineup. On the flip side, the Kings, also in stellar form, started with their potent attacking trio of Dorielton, Miguel Ferreira, and Robinho.
With the enthusiastic support of the Kalinga Stadium, Odisha FC initiated the game on the front foot. Employing a direct approach in their attack, they created a couple of half-chances in the early stages, but Bashundhara Kings held firm, maintaining an unchanged scoreline.
In the dying moments of the first half, the game took a dramatic turn as Kings’ midfielder Asror Gafurov received a red card for a cynical challenge on Jahouh. This crucial moment tilted the odds in favor of Odisha FC, who, despite struggling to breach Bashundhara’s defense, now had a significant advantage heading into the second half.
Although Bashundhara Kings contested the red card decision, claiming it was unwarranted, they faced the challenge of playing with 10 men. Head coach Oscar Bruzon directed his team to defend resolutely.
With the Bangladeshi champions pushed deeper into defense, Odisha committed more players forward but found a clear-cut chance only around the hour mark. Following an impressive sequence on the left flank, Puitea delivered a pass to Krishna in the penalty area. Although Krishna’s powerful strike was parried away by the 18-year-old goalkeeper Mehedi Srabon, Odisha FC capitalized on the ensuing corner. Jahouh and Mourtada Fall combined again, with the latter scoring a header to secure a crucial lead.
Despite Odisha FC’s continued offensive efforts, they were unable to convert their momentum into more goals. Srabon played a vital role in keeping Bashundhara Kings in contention, making significant saves against Mauricio and Krishna.
In the closing moments, Bashundhara Kings launched an all-out attack, but Odisha FC showcased a resilient defense to secure the 1-0 victory. This win not only secured Odisha FC’s top spot in the group but also earned them a place in the Inter-Zonal playoff semi-finals.