 "AFC Cup: Odisha FC beat Basundhara Kings to make it to zonal semi-finals, Mohun Bagan bow out")
Odisha FC beat Bangladesh’s Basundhara Kings 1-0 thanks to Mourtada Fall’s 61st minute goal to qualify for the AFC Cup knockout for the first time while two-time inter-zonal semifinalists Mohun Bagan were beaten by Maziya Sports & Recreation of Maldives to exit from the group league stage. Odisha FC, having finished top in the group stage, have qualified for the zonal play-off semi-final, winning which will make them play in the zonal final. Mourtada secured the crucial lead for the Kalinga Warriors with a decisive header in the 61st minute. It proved to be the difference between the two sides in the end.
🎥 HIGHLIGHTS | 🇮🇳 Odisha FC 1️⃣-0️⃣ Bashundhara Kings 🇧🇩
— #ChallengeLeague (@TheAFCGL) December 11, 2023
The Juggernauts reach their first ever inter-zone semi-finals after a narrow win against the Kings, claiming the top spot in Group D! 👏
📰 Match Report 🔗 https://t.co/HQwZMpBeHJ#AFCCup | #OFCvBDK pic.twitter.com/RaxZMUjEiq
Electrifying atmosphere at the Kalinga after #OdishaFC's first goal vs Bashundhara Kings in their #AFCCup game 🔥 ⚽💜 pic.twitter.com/MXn7R8LIoV
— Chiranjibi Pati (@Chiranjibi_Pati) December 11, 2023
Many congratulations to @OdishaFC for showing immense fighting spirit and topping the group in the AFC Cup 💪🏻
— Igor Štimac (@stimac_igor) December 11, 2023
This success is another reminder of the exceptional job the Odisha Government has been doing and how much credit they deserve for developing Indian football 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/KUKQQGDp11
Odisha FC are the seventh Indian club to advance to the AFC Cup knockout stages in 19 years after East Bengal, Mahindra United, Dempo, Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers. In Male, Maldives, the Juan Ferrando-coached Mohun Bagan failed to make a comeback after a Hassan Raif stunner gave Maziya the breakthrough in the 40th minute and that goal proved to be the difference. Mohun Bagan finished their AFC Cup campaign in third place with seven points, while Maziya bowed out having collected six points. The Indian heavyweights were unlucky as Taison Singh’s powerful 50th minute strike from outside the box rattled the underside of the crossbar and bounced across the goal before Maziya custodian Hussain Shareef pounced on it. In the 66th minute, Maziya right-back Hussain Sifaau’s shot from distance missed the Bagan goal by inches after taking a slight deflection on its way. Substitute Hamza Mohamed’s shot from a tight angle was blocked by Bagan goalkeeper Shaikh four minutes later. Hamza Mohamed hit the woodwork and Hassan Nazeem tested Shaikh with an acrobatic effort in the second-half injury time, but the one goal proved to be enough for the Maldives side to record their second win in the group stage.
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