In a thrilling encounter at the Kalinga Stadium, Odisha FC emerged victorious over Jamshedpur FC, clinching a 2-1 win to register their first victory of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season. The match, which took place on a crisp Saturday evening, showcased tactical brilliance, spirited performances, and high-octane action from both teams.
The Kalinga Warriors, as Odisha FC is fondly known, established a two-goal lead before the halftime interval, courtesy of goals from Diego Mauricio and Mourtada Fall. However, the Men of Steel, as Jamshedpur FC is known, managed to claw one back through an unexpected own goal from Fall, adding a different twist to the game.
The match began with Jamshedpur FC asserting their dominance early on. Within just the first five minutes, an expertly executed free-kick by Javi Hernandez found Stephen Eze, who headed the ball to Pratik Chaudhari. Chaudhari’s ensuing strike seemed destined for the net, but Odisha FC’s goalkeeper, Amrinder Singh, pulled off a spectacular save, keeping the scoreline intact.
Odisha FC’s first significant opportunity came in the 10th minute. A skilful cross from Isak Vanlalruatfela fell invitingly to Jerry Mawihmingthanga. Despite Albino Gomes’s quick reaction to close down the angle, his attempt to gather the ball failed, presenting Jerry with an open goal. Jerry then set up Amey Ranawade, whose shot, unfortunately, drifted wide.
The match’s intensity didn’t wane, as Jamshedpur FC continued to press. In the 18th minute, Imran Khan’s well-placed pass found Javier Siverio, whose clever leave allowed Hernandez to take a strike. The Spaniard’s shot clattered against the post, much to the relief of a stranded Amrinder Singh.
The deadlock was eventually broken in the 20th minute by Odisha FC. Isak’s mesmerising dribbling carved open the Jamshedpur defense, enabling him to find Hugo Boumous in the box. Boumous, in turn, set up Diego Mauricio, whose shot ricocheted off Stephen Eze and nestled into the back of the net, giving Odisha FC the lead.
Just before halftime, the Kalinga Warriors doubled their advantage.
. A precise corner delivery from Boumous found Mourtada Fall, whose thumping header left no chance for Albino Gomes. This marked Fall’s 18th goal in the ISL, all coming from his formidable aerial presence.
As the second half commenced, Jamshedpur FC once again came out strong. Two minutes in, Hernandez attempted an audacious overhead kick following a corner, but his effort sailed over the bar without troubling Amrinder Singh. Odisha FC almost extended their lead in the 54th minute when Boumous, displaying his trademark dribbling, navigated past Pratik and found Mauricio. The Brazilian’s cross forced a save from Albino Gomes, but the rebound fell to Ranawade, whose shot was heroically blocked by Aniket Jadhav.
The Men of Steel’s persistence paid off in the 62nd minute when they pulled a goal back. Ironically, it was Fall who inadvertently scored an own goal by mistakenly heading a corner into his net, renewing hope for Jamshedpur FC.
The remainder of the match was characterized by end-to-end play, with both teams striving to alter the scoreline. Despite numerous attacking opportunities, no further goals were scored, and Odisha FC held on for a well-deserved win.
Mourtada Fall’s contribution to the game was pivotal. Apart from scoring what turned out to be the match-winning goal, he made five crucial clearances and one interception, solidifying his role in Odisha FC’s defense.
Looking ahead, Odisha FC will next play Kerala Blasters at the Kalinga Stadium on October 3. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC will aim to bounce back as they host East Bengal on October 5.
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