Odisha FC and Inter Kashi FC battled to a goalless draw at the Kalinga Stadium on Tuesday, February 24, in a tightly contested encounter that produced the first stalemate of the season.
For Odisha, it marked their opening fixture of the campaign, while Inter Kashi arrived looking to build on an encouraging league debut. The two sides proved evenly matched throughout the 90 minutes, creating opportunities but failing to convert them into goals.
Odisha registered nine attempts to Inter Kashi’s eight, yet accuracy proved elusive. Only two shots on target were recorded by each side, underlining the defensive discipline and lack of clinical finishing on display. Odisha winger Rahul KP was named Player of the Match for his energetic performance and attacking intent.
The visitors made a bright start. Within the opening minute, Inter Kashi midfielder Tomba Singh tested Odisha goalkeeper Amrinder with a sharp low drive from distance, forcing an early save and setting the tone for an open contest.
Odisha responded around the quarter-hour mark. Rahul KP fired over from long range following a swift transition initiated by Lalthathanga Khawlhring. Soon after, Suhair VP headed over from close range after a set-piece delivery by Isak Vanlalruatfela, as the hosts began to assert themselves.
Midway through the first half, Thoiba Singh won a free-kick on the right and later headed narrowly wide from Khawlhring’s cross. Suhair again missed the target from another set-piece opportunity. At the other end, Planas saw a close-range effort blocked by Odisha’s defence in a rare Inter Kashi opening.
Just before halftime, Vanlalruatfela tried his luck from distance with a low strike, but Inter Kashi goalkeeper Lluis Tarrés gathered comfortably, ensuring the teams went into the break level.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Early on, Inter Kashi forward Rohit Danu had a header blocked inside the box. Shortly after the hour mark, Vanlalruatfela came closest for the Juggernauts, but his left-footed effort from a tight angle was blocked by defender David Humanes.
In the 73rd minute, Danu dragged a shot wide after being picked out by Prasanth Mohan. Deep into stoppage time, he attempted another effort from distance that sailed just over the crossbar.
Both teams pushed hard in the closing stages, with Inter Kashi posing the greater threat, but neither could find the decisive touch as the points were shared in Bhubaneswar.
