Indian Super League 2024-25: Odisha FC’s playoff hopes take a hit in stalemate vs Mohammedan SC
Mohammedan SC played out a 0-0 stalemate against Odisha FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25
- BHUBANESWAR — Mohammedan
SC played out a 0-0 stalemate against Odisha FC in the Indian Super League
(ISL) 2024-25 at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday. With this result, Odisha
FC’s hopes of making it to the playoffs took a massive hit. They are in seventh
place with 30 points from 23 games now, two behind the sixth-positioned Mumbai
City FC (32), who have featured in 21 encounters thus far.
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- This is the second time the Juggernauts have dropped points
against Mohammedan SC after a similar goalless result in the reverse fixture.
Meanwhile, Amrinder Singh became the third goalkeeper to clock 50 clean sheets
in ISL after Vishal Kaith and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
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- The hosts had the first chance of the game when Isak
Vanlalruatfela found Rahim Ali on the right flank in space with a brilliant
long ball a few minutes after kickoff. Rahim controlled it well, but with
nowhere to go in the box; he squared it to an onrushing Diego Mauricio, who was
in a better position to slot it home. However, the Brazilian forward didn’t get
his connection right and skied it way over the target.
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- Mohammedan SC almost scored the first goal of the game when
Lalremsanga Fanai made a surging run from the left flank and delivered a low
cross into the box in search of Manvir Singh Saini. However, Thoiba Moirangthem
Singh tracked back in time to clear it out for a goal kick.
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- Playing with a counter-attacking strategy, the visitors had
another opening in the 20th minute when Lalremsanga was through on goal with an
intelligent run, but Carlos Delgado recovered just in time to put a decisive
block in the penalty area. Mohammedan SC started the second half on a high,
with Manvir hitting the target early on. But his effort was thwarted by
Amrinder Singh with a timely save.
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- Meanwhile, Isak kept pushing forward from the left flank and
kept the Mohammedan SC defenders on their toes. The youngster did create some
opportunities, but Mohammedan SC were resolute in defence. For the next few
minutes, Franca had a few promising moments up front. The Brazilian looked
lively down the left flank as he went past defenders with ease. However, the
struggle to finish his chances remained a massive concern for the forward.
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- In the 68th minute, Franca was in behind the Odisha FC
backline following a mistake from Amey Ranawade. With only Amrinder to beat in
goal, the Brazilian fluffed his shot wide from five yards away. Isak had an
opportunity to score in the 88th minute when Saviour Gama found Isak in the box
with a cross, but the youngster’s subsequent shot was a whisker over the
crossbar. Mohammedan SC had the major chunk of the possession in the final few
minutes, but they were not clinical enough as the match ended with both sides
taking a point each.
