PANAJI
FC Goa advanced to the final of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy with a 1-0 victory over CSD Defensa y Justicia at PJN Stadium, Fatorda on Tuesday. Armando Sadiku's 38th-minute strike secured their place in the final.
Defensa began the match with a reduced squad, having only three substitutes on the bench due to a double red card in their previous fixture against Chennaiyin FC. This situation forced them to deploy their second goalkeeper as a midfielder. Meanwhile, FC Goa managed without their head coach, Manolo Marquez, who had departed for Hyderabad for international duties with India in the Intercontinental Cup.
Defensa's Valdez Franco tried his luck from distance, but FC Goa's goalkeeper Laximikanth Kattimani was equal to the task. FC Goa then took control in midfield; Borja Herrera delivered a low cross that went across the box with no one to tap it in. Moments later, Rowllin Borges fired a low shot that was cleared by a rival defender.
FC Goa's persistence paid off in the 39th minute when Boris Singh delivered a cross from the right flank, finding Armando Sadiku. Sadiku chested the ball down and made no mistake, smashing it into the back of the net.
In the second half, Defensa adopted an aggressive approach in search of an equalizer, creating several chances. FC Goa came close to extending their lead when a swift pass from Borja Herrera set up Dejan Drazic inside the box. Drazic controlled the ball and chipped it over the Defensa goalkeeper, but his effort was denied by the crossbar.
In the dying minutes, Defensa pressed hard in the attacking third, but FC Goa's defense held firm, securing a 1-0 win and a spot in the final.
On Tuesday night, ISL’s Odisha FC secured their place in the final of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy with a 2-1 victory over three-time A-League champions Brisbane Roar FC at PJN Stadium, Fatorda. Hugo Boumous was the hero for Odisha, scoring both goals to lead his team to the final.
Brisbane tried to roar their way back into the game as Thomas Waddingham headed one followed by Benjamin Warland also who headed another from a corner kick but was later disallowed by the match official.
Odisha FC started the match with strong control in midfield, creating several attacking opportunities. Their efforts bore fruit in the 16th minute when Roy Krishna delivered a low cross that found Boumous, who made no mistake in putting the ball into the back of the net.
Brisbane Roar nearly equalized shortly after when a through ball from midfield found Florin Bohrer. Bohrer managed to get past the Odisha FC goalkeeper but was denied by a crucial intervention from Anuj Kumar, who kept Odisha's lead intact.
Despite Brisbane's relentless attacking, exploiting the flanks with numerous crosses, Odisha’s defense, led by Mourtada Fall, held firm. The backline's resolute performance kept Brisbane at bay as the first half drew to a close.
The second half saw Brisbane ramp up their efforts in search of a breakthrough. James O’Shea tested the Odisha goalkeeper from the edge of the box, but his attempt was cleared away. Odisha FC doubled their lead when a long free-kick from Mourtada Fall found Boumous. The midfielder skillfully dribbled past defenders in the six-yard box and chipped the ball over the Brisbane keeper to complete his brace.
Brisbane pulled one back in the 65th minute when O’Shea’s corner was headed in by Thomas Waddingham, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Fueled by this goal, Brisbane continued to push for an equalizer. They created several chances, with Keegan Jelacic firing a shot from inside the box, but Fall again made a crucial block.
In the 81st minute, Brisbane's persistence nearly paid off as Benjamin Warland headed in a corner from the right flank. However, the goal was disallowed by the referee due to a foul committed as Warland nudged Diego Mauricio resulting in a foul.
As the final whistle blew, the scoreline remained 2-1 in favor of Odisha FC, sealing their spot in the final of the tournament.
