Kolkata: Odisha FC’s campaign in the Durand Cup ended in a heartbreak in the quarterfinal against Sunil Chhetri’s Bengaluru FC at Kishore Bharati Stadium here on Saturday evening.
Down to 10 men in the final five minutes of regulation time after defender Shubham Sarangi was sent off for his second yellow card, Odisha FC fought gallantly and forced extra time as neither team managed to score in 90 minutes.
Shivasakthi Narayanan put Bengaluru ahead after 97 minutes, shortly after coming on as substitute for Chhetri.
But Odisha FC were not done, and continued to fight with a one-man disadvantage.
Ten minutes into the second half extra time, dependable Brazilian Diego Mauricio scored with a brilliant header off a Sahil Panwar free-kick.
Just when it seemed the quarterfinal will go into a penalty shootout, prolific Fijian striker found the mark in injury time to seal a 2-1 win for Bengaluru FC.
Odisha FC had topped Group D by winning all their four group league fixtures earlier in the tournament.
