AFC Cup: In Group D, Odisha FC overcomes Maziya 3-2 after trailing early

In Group D of the AFC Cup, Odisha FC overcame a two-goal deficit to upset Maziya Sports & Recreation of the Maldives 3-2 at the Maldives National Football Stadium on Tuesday.

While Maziya is struggling after the loss, Odisha’s chances of making it to the Inter-Zone Semi-finals were preserved by the victory.

Ibrahim Aisam found space above the box and missed the mark, posing a danger for Maziya as early as the second minute. Aisam, the orchestrator, dribbled inside the box and laid off for Naiz Hassan to score with an easy finish, giving the Maldivian team the lead in the second minute, according to AFC.

In the seventh minute, Lalthathanga Khawlhring broke into the area and set up Cy Goddard, who missed the mark with his effort, giving Odisha a chance to score.

Both sides sparred, with Roy Krishna of Odisha having his attempt stopped in the twelfth minute, and Maziya coming close to scoring when Branimir Jocic sent Khalil Gamal Elbezawy through on goal, only to have the midfielder’s shot called out for offside.

Nevertheless, Odisha’s troubles began in the 25th minute when they gave up a penalty due to a foul by Mourtada Fall on Vojislav Balabanovic, who scored the penalty with ease.

After Lalthathanga Khawlhring broke into the area and set up Cy Goddard, who missed the mark, in the seventh minute, Odisha, who had beaten Maziya 6-1 in the rematch, had a chance to take the lead.

Both sides sparred, with Roy Krishna of Odisha having his attempt stopped in the twelfth minute, and Maziya coming close to scoring when Branimir Jocic sent Khalil Gamal Elbezawy through on goal, only to have the midfielder’s shot called out for offside.

Nevertheless, Odisha’s troubles began in the 25th minute when they gave up a penalty due to a foul by Mourtada Fall on Vojislav Balabanovic, who scored the penalty with ease.

Odisha fought back in the second half, and Mourtada Fall’s header on Ahmed Jahouh’s cross in the 65th minute marked the culmination of their attempts to equalize the score.

The goal gave Odisha more momentum, and in the 72nd minute, the Indian team tied the score thanks to another brilliant move by Jahouh, who passed the ball for Diego Maurício to score from within the six-yard-box.

Krishna scored the game-winning goal in the 85th minute to complete Odisha’s comeback.

On November 27, at Kolkata’s Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Odisha will play their last AFC Cup 2023–24 Group D encounter against fellow Indian team Mohun Bagan Super Giant, while Maziya will play Bangladesh’s Bashundhara Kings.