Local favourites Bodoland FC registered their first win of the 133rd IndianOil Durand Cup, getting the better of Odisha FC (OFC) 2-0 in a Group E clash here the SAI stadium. The goals came in the final minutes of both the halves from forwards Dilliram Sanyasi and Arjun Mardi, as Bodoland kept themselves alive in the tournament after their first game reverse against NorthEast United FC. Odisha went the other way after winning their opener against the BSF and final games of the Group become crucial in terms of qualification.
The home-side’s coach Khlain Syiemlieh made three changes in three different positions including his goalkeeper from their first outing against the NorthEast, while Odisha gaffer Amit Rana also made a couple of changes from the eleven which started against the BSF.
The game appeared to be meandering under heavy underfoot conditions after kick-off, with no team getting a clear sight at goal. The first caution of the game came just over the half-hour mark when Bodoland defender Lyngkhoi was booked for a tackle from behind.
Syiemlieh then made a tactical change bringing in Jwngbla Brahma in place of his Ghanian striker Bejamin Techie at the 40-minute mark. The move worked as the goal came soon after.
Joe Aidoo floated a ball on the turn into the Odisha box from the left of midfield, only for Singson to head his attempted clearance onto the feet of Dilliram Sanyasi lurking on the far post. The forward made no mistake with his finish, placing it neatly past Niraj Kumar in the Odisha goal.
Bodoland remained the more enterprising in the second-half and Brahma’s shot in the 48the minute was dipping in only for Niraj to tip it over. Two minutes later the Juggernauts got a golden opportunity themselves when Aphaoba laid it off after a penetrating run inside the box for Pungte Lapung, but the midfielder who had scored in this fixture in the last edition, found his shot blocked by defending Bodoland bodies at the right moment.
Syiemlieh kept ringing in the changes in search of the second goal and it came finally as late as in the 88th minute when two of his substitutes combined delightfully. Momocha Singh who had started in the first game, delivered a delectable cross from the right wing taking out the entire Juggernaut’s defence. Arjun Mardi still had a lot to do but connected and directed his header perfectly back past Niraj and into the back of the Odisha net for the second time in the game.
Key games in Jamshedpur and Kolkata coming up on Wednesday
Indian Army FT will take on Assam Rifles FT in a Group D encounter at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, in the first match of the day with the kick-off scheduled for 4 PM. Indian Army FT will look to secure their second victory in the group to setup an eventual group decider against Jamshedpur FC. A win tomorrow will take the Army men to six points, tied with the hosts Jamshedpur, which will make the match between the two teams on August 14th, almost a qualifier. On the other hand, Assam Rifles FT will look for their first points in the group after their loss in the first outing to Jamshedpur FC.
In the second match of the day, Kolkata giants East Bengal will take on Downtown Heroes FC in a Group A encounter at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in a 7 PM kick-off. The Red and Gold Brigade will go on top of the with six points with a win, above their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, who will play their next match on 8th August. On the other hand, Downtown Heroes FC who achieved their historic first win in the IndianOil Durand Cup with a 2-0 win over Indian Airforce FT, will look for an upset against the Kolkata giants to make things interesting in the group.
