Ahead Of ISL, Odisha FC Lose Penalty Shootout To Finish Runners-Up In Bandodkar Trophy

Bhubaneswar: Odisha FC gave home team FC Goa a run for their money before finishing second-best in the Bandodkar Trophy final at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Friday.

The thrilling final ended 3-3 in regulation time before Odisha FC faltered in the shootout to go down 1-3 on penalties.

Odisha had their nose in front twice, but couldn’t capitalise.

The Kalinga Warriors took the lead through Hugo Boumous after 18 minutes.

Armando Sadiku levelled scores in the 34th minute, while Dezan Drazic put Goa ahead seven minutes later.

Odisha FC turned on the heat after change of ends and scored twice within 10 minutes. Ahmed Jahouh scored from the penalty spot and young Indian striker Rahim Ali found the mark to hand Odisha a 3-2 advantage.

The trophy seemed to have been sealed by Kalinga Warriors only to concede an 88th-minute equaliser by Sadiku.

In the penalties, Goa proved to be sharper than Odisha FC as they lifted the trophy, to the dlight of their supporters.

It was, nonetheless, a fine build-up for Odisha FC ahead of the ISL.

The Kalinga Warriors topped their group winning all three games before beating Australian side Brisbane Roar FC 2-1 in the semis.

Odisha open their campaign in the 2024-25 ISL season with a home game against Chennaiyin FC on September 14.