Odisha FC held Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a gripping 1-1 draw in an Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 encounter at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. Both teams showcased moments of brilliance but failed to find the decisive winner.
The hosts got off to a flying start, taking the lead in the fourth minute. An indirect freekick was awarded after Asish Rai’s back pass was handled by goalkeeper Vishal Kaith inside the box.
Hugo Boumous capitalized on the opportunity, blasting the ball into the net from six yards out to give Odisha the early advantage.
Mohun Bagan responded swiftly, ramping up the pressure. In the ninth minute, Dimitrios Petratos tested Amrinder Singh with a powerful shot, but the Odisha goalkeeper was equal to the challenge.
The Mariners’ persistence paid off in the 36th minute when Manvir Singh headed home a Petratos corner. Rising above the Odisha defense, Manvir placed the ball perfectly past Amrinder to restore parity.
The second half began with both teams maintaining high intensity. Mohun Bagan’s Jamie Maclaren nearly pounced on a defensive lapse by Odisha, but Thoiba Singh’s quick intervention diffused the threat.
Odisha came close to retaking the lead near the hour mark. Puitea unleashed a thunderous long-range effort that beat Kaith but skimmed the crossbar. Later, in the 73rd minute, Ahmed Jahouh delivered a pinpoint freekick to Amey Ranawade, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Kaith, ensuring the scores remained level.
As the clock ticked down, both managers turned to their benches. Mohun Bagan brought on Jason Cummings and Sahal Abdul Samad to find a breakthrough, while Odisha introduced Diego Mauricio and Carlos Delgado to solidify their attack and defense. Despite their best efforts, neither team could find the winning goal.
The result leaves Mohun Bagan in second place with 14 points, three points behind league leaders Bengaluru FC, who have played one more game. Odisha remains in ninth place with nine points from eight matches, reflecting a mixed start to their campaign.
Odisha head coach Sergio Lobera praised his team’s defensive resilience, saying, “We showed great character to hold one of the league’s best teams. There’s room for improvement, but I’m proud of the fight we put in.”
Mohun Bagan coach Jose Molina expressed disappointment but acknowledged the positives. “We created chances and dominated spells of the game but lacked the cutting edge to finish them. It’s a missed opportunity, but we’ll take the point and move forward,” he said.
