Odisha FC players throw Clifford Miranda in the air to mark their win.
KOZHIKODE
Tuesday, April 25 was etched into the history books of Odisha FC at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode. With a 2-1 victory over Bengaluru FC, the Bhubaneswar-based side were crowned champions of the Hero Super Cup, their first-ever silverware.
While Brazilian Diego Maurício struck both goals for the winners in the first half, Sunil Chhetri scored from a penalty in the 85th minute to reduce the margin for Bengaluru FC.
Up against seasoned opponents in the shape of Bengaluru, Odisha did all the damage in the first half with two goals from Diego Maurício. Clifford Miranda also made history, becoming the first Indian coach to win the Hero Super Cup.
Bengaluru FC, playing their third final of the season, started off as the more authoritative of the two sides in a rain-lashed kick-off. The Blues kept plenty of possession in the opposition half, while Odisha, who had conceded two early goals in their last two games, were content with sitting back, making a cautious start to their first-ever final.
However, as the rain died down, so did Bengaluru's command on the ball. Odisha began causing trouble from set-pieces, with Carlos Delgado's close-range volley from Sahil Panwar's corner their first real chance. Sandesh Jhingan was on hand to make a last-ditch block for Bengaluru.
The breakthrough came in dramatic fashion for Odisha in the 23rd minute as Gurpreet Singh Sandhu made a hash of what should've been a routine collection from a harmless-looking Diego Maurício free-kick. The Brazilian's shot was aimed straight at the Bengaluru custodian, who had his entire body behind the ball but let it slip out of his hand and trickle past the goalline.
Maurício would go close again just a few minutes later, heading a Jerry Mawihmingthanga cross wide of the far post. But there was no stopping Odisha's talisman the next time of asking as he made it 2-0 seven minutes before half-time. It all started with a diagonal ball from Victor Rodriguez to pick out Jerry on the right, who headed it across the face of goal. Mauricio, racing past his marker Sandesh Jhingan, tapped it in with Gurpreet wrong-footed.
Bengaluru, who barely tested Amrinder, pulled one back through a Sunil Chhetri penalty in the dying minutes of the game to make it 2-1.
