Mohun Bagan had a shock defeat in their first leg clash with Odisha FC at Kalinga Stadium in Indian Super League Semifinal. The match was evenly poised but 2 first half strikes by Delgado and Roy Krishna were enough seal the deal for Odisha. Mohun Bagan played pretty average by their reputation and have to pull up their shocks to make any come back at Salt Lake.
Mohun Bagan started the match with a brisk fashion as they had taken the lead on 3rd minute. It was a pin point corner taken by Dimi Petratos within six yards of the goal and unmarked Manvir made no mistake to put his team in the lead (1-0). But Mohun Bagan lost the plot and conceded a series of corners (in total 5) in between 8 and 11 minute and ultimately conceded the goal on 11th minute. They were shaky to clear their lines from the corners and Odisha took the opportunity and press them hard. Ahmed Jahouh delivered a swinging delivery into the 6 yard box and Vishal Kaith completely miss the flight of the ball. Unmarked Delgado meets it with his feet to find the net and the match returns to level terms (1-1).
Odisha put more pressure and received a penalty while Vishal fouled Roy Krishna into the box but that decision over turned because of a offside call. Mohun Bagan little bit cautious in that period of time and both their winger Manvir and Liston had not have many chances to go forward. Odisha eventually took the lead when Amrinder Singh took a first time volley toward Roy Krishna, both Abhishek and Yuste were ball watching and failed to clear the ball. An experienced striker like Roy Krishna took the advantage of the situation and took the lead (2-1) on 39th minute. Mohun Bagan also had some chances in first half to as Manvir create a brilliant chance for Petratos but his shot went over the cross bar. Before that Petratos also tried to score a Olympic goal from a corner but Amriner made a good save at the very last moment.
In the second half Odisha tried to compact their defense and hit Mohun Bagan on the counter and on the other hand Mohun Bagan tried to dominate the field and score the all important equalizer. In the phase Roy Krishna took advantage of another mistake Mohun Bagan and this time it’s Subhasish Bose but no hard done on that occasion. In 59th minute Anwar Ali missed a golden chance within the 8 yards of the goal when Amrinder horridly clear the ball of a Petratos freekick but Anwar Ali failed to hit the target. On 67 minute Mohun Bagan concede a red card as Armando Sadiku received his 2nd yellow as he fouled Ahmed Jahouh around the touchline area of middle of the ground. This incident completely change the dynamics of the match and Odisha look to capitalize but they eventually lost the one man advantage on the pitch as Delgado too received his second yellow for deliberate hand ball just outside the box and Odisha also down to 10 Men. Mohun Bagan try to equalize in that period but couldn’t break the Odisha defense. Although in between all that a failed clearance from substituted Narendra Gahlot deflected on to the leg of Anirudh Thapa but fortunately for him and Odisha it hits the cross bar.
Mohun Bagan now need to win the match with a margin of 2 goals in their return leg in Kolkata. Anything less than that will not make them through to the final. Let’s see how Antonio Lopez Habas will reorganize his team after this defeat.
