Odisha FC book Mumbai City clash in semis

Odisha FC stayed on course for a successful defence of the Super Cup as they outplayed FC Goa 3-2 for a crucial win and a spot in the last-four stage of the tournament at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Monday.All five goals were scored after the change of ends. It was Murtaza Fall (61st, 66th) who sealed the deal with two inch-perfect headers in the second half after Ahmed Jahouh had broken the deadlock from a spot kick (51st). For FC Goa, Carlos Martinez netted a brace too. Odisha will now face Mumbai City FC in their last-four clash on Wednesday.With both the contenders on the day staring their last fixture on six points and from the top two spot in the group, it was a do-or-die game to decide the team to join others in the knockout stage.Odisha did hold the advantage in terms of goal difference, sitting at +4 compared to FC Goa’s +2 and leading the group. Nevertheless, both teams showed caution and neither wanted to blink first. But Sergio Lobera’s wards emerged on top after a highly-competitive first half.Odisha FC got the breakthrough in the 51st minute when Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem fouled Diego Mauricio inside the penalty box. The referee immediately pointed to the spot and Jahouh stepped up and converted, sending the goalkeeper the other way.Odisha extended their lead in the 61st minute. This time, Jahouh turned the provider as he floated in a corner from the right. Fall charged into the box and met the ball with a powerful header to score.The hosts brought more delight to their fans when they scored the third in the 66th minute from a Jahouh free-kick. Fall, demonstrating his aerial prowess once again, executed the header from close range, and the power behind it was evident as the ball found the back of the net.Trailing 3-0, Manolo Marquez’s men needed something special and Carlos Martinez pulled one back for the Gaurs in the 75th minute and then another in the 86th. However, they were one goal too short as Odisha pulled off the win in the end.Inter Kashi and Bengaluru settle for draw: Bengaluru FC and Inter Kashi played out a 1-1 draw in their inconsequential Group D match in the Super Cup on Monday. Both teams had been knocked out of the competition and the result meant they registered their first points on the board.