Odisha FC's first-ever entry into the ISL Playoffs couldn't go much deeper into the knockouts as they faced a defeat to ATK Mohun Bagan on Saturday. The home team at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan came out on top, securing a 2-0 win and qualifying into the semifinals where they will now meet Hyderabad FC. A goal each from Hugo Boumous and Dimitri Petratos proved to be enough for The Mariners who had finished third on the table.
While ATK Mohun Bagan would be happy with the result there were passages in the game that belonged to Odisha FC. The Kalinga Warriors, for instance, had much of the possession in the first 10 minutes of the match but were unable to put pressure on the home team's goalkeeper Vishak Kaith. What was also an advantage to Odisha was that ATK Mohun Bagan's Ashique Kuruniyan had to go off in the 11th minute.
Odisha then were also in with a chance in the initial minutes of the second half but once again couldn't find a way to find the back of the net. It was a match for the Juggernauts which they will reflect upon to find they could have easily come close had they taken these chances.
Meanwhile, Boumous' 36th minute strike and Petratos' 58th minute goal means eventually it is the teams that finished inside top four which will play the semifinals. Bengaluru FC registered a win over Kerala Blasters FC in a match that saw drama unfold as The Tuskers walked off the pitch following Sunil Chhetri's extra-time goal of a free-kich which they felt was against the law.
However, the goal stands as per the laws governing the game and the latest update is that Kerala Blasters could even face a fine or a penalty for their gesture to leave the pitch before the final whistle.