PANAJI
Odisha FC progressed to the knockout stages of Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy, after remaining unbeaten in the competition, defeating Churchill Brothers FC 6-0 in their final Group B encounter and topping the Group at Fatorda Stadium on Saturday. CSD Defensa y Justicia joined them in the semifinals after a 2-0 win over Chennaiyin FC later in the evening.
Odisha finished top of the Group B with nine points from three matches, while CSD Defensa y Justicia claimed second place with six points. Chennaiyin FC end their campaign with three points from the same while Churchill Brothers, exit the competition without accumulating a single point.
Roy Krishna proved lethal for the Red Machines as the Fujian smashed in a first half hat-trick before Aphaoba Singh scored one. Mawihmingthanga also got on the score sheet netting a late brace.
Odisha’s Roy Krishna opened the scoring in the 21st minute after capitalizing on a defensive error by Churchill Brothers’ Silvain, dispossessing him and firing a shot from inside the box that left the keeper with no chance.
Odisha, initially slow to settle as coach Sergio Lobera opted to rotate his squad, found their rhythm by the half-hour mark. Saviour Gama, who had a solid performance throughout the first half, delivered a precise diagonal pass from the left flank, which Krishna expertly flicked past the keeper to double Odisha's lead.
Churchill Brothers nearly conceded a third in the 32nd minute, but defender Mackenzie made a crucial goal-line clearance to deny Rohit’s header. However, Roy Krishna completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute with another clinical finish after a well-executed pass from the left.
Odisha's relentless attack continued as Aphaoba Singh added the fourth goal just before halftime, outsmarting the defender with a clever one-two before slotting the ball past the keeper. Churchill Brothers' goalkeeper, Suraj Malik, struggled throughout the first half, displaying poor positioning and handling.
Despite a quieter second half, Odisha managed to extend their lead late in the game. In the 86th minute, Krishna’s shot was deflected by the keeper, only for Mawihmingthanga to pounce and score. Mawihmingthanga added a second goal in the 90th minute after Malik failed to secure a long shot, sealing the 6-0 rout.
With this emphatic win, Odisha FC topped Group B, advancing to the knockout stages, while Churchill Brothers bowed out of the competition in disappointing fashion.
Nine-man CSD Defensa y Justicia eased past Chennaiyin FC over a 2-0 win in the 2nd Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy at PJN Stadium Fatorda on Saturday.
Defensa's Bohiler broke the deadlock with a free-kick that took a deflection off Chennaiyin's Connor Jon, sending the ball into the net while they extended their lead as Bustos Gabriel delivered a precise cross from the left flank, only for the Chennaiyin goalkeeper to parry it away.
The rebound, however, fell perfectly for Valdez Franco, who made no mistake with a thunderous half-volley to double Defensa’s advantage. The second half saw Defensa’s Ivancic and Machado receive a second yellow, leaving their side two-man down. However, the Chennaiyin side could not capitalize on the numerical advantage as the Defensa’s defense held firm to seal them a 2-0 win.
