FC Goa succumbed to the first defeat of their season since the start of the ISL in October, as Odisha FC won 3-2 against them in the third and final match of Group D of the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Monday.
The loss saw the Gaurs bow out of the competition, finishing second in the group with two wins and six points.
Earlier in the day, FC Goa head coach Manolo Marquez named an unchanged starting XI from last week’s win over Bengaluru FC, as Odei Onaindia led the defence alongside Narayan Das, while Carlos Martinez started up front with Noah Sadaoui on the left flank and Paulo Retre and Carl McHugh in the midfield.
Despite playing in the Juggernauts’ backyard, the Men in Orange exhibited control over the proceedings for most parts of the first half. Chances were plenty, as Noah struck the side netting once before seeing a shot on target blocked away by Mourtada Fall. One of McHugh’s attempts was parried away with great effort by Odisha shot-stopper Lalthuammawia Ralte, while he sent a header flying over the bar as well after Retre sent in a perfect corner-kick.
Raynier Fernandes, formerly of the Bhubaneswar-based side, also had a good shift, attempting a long-range curler that was put away for another corner-kick by Ralte before almost assisting Martinez with a neat through-ball forward. The Spaniard, however, failed to find the back of the net with only the goalkeeper in his sight.
Following the change of ends, Odisha FC took the lead against the run of play in the 51st minute, courtesy of a penalty converted successfully by Ahmed Jahouh.
A lapse in clearing away a long pass ended up with Dheeraj Singh taking an unfortunate swipe at Diego Mauricio in the box leading to the referee pointing towards the spot. Jahouh then sent Dheeraj the wrong way, putting his team in the driving seat with his goal.
Ten minutes later, the Juggernauts doubled their lead, Fall scoring with a header off Jahouh’s free-kick. Odisha then struck for a third time in the 66th minute, once again through the Senegalese defender.
Despite the three goals conceded within a span of 15 minutes, the Gaurs refused to give up and intensified the attacks. Their efforts finally bore fruit for the first time on the night in the 75th minute, when Carlos Martinez capitalised on a rare slip by Fall to win the ball in the attacking third and placing a shot over the goalkeeper and into the net.
The Spaniard scored once again in the 86th minute, through a deflected free-kick from just outside the opposition box, showcasing signs of a comeback from the Men in Orange.
Both teams continued to create a handful of chances, with Goa coming close once again in the third minute of added time. Brison Fernandes, however, missed the target narrowly and Odisha saw out the remainder of the clash to qualify for the semi-finals of the Kalinga Super Cup 2024.
