KOLKATA: Thousands of years ago King Asoka had invaded Kalinga to annex it to Mauryan Empire.
But on Monday, hosts Kalinga Warriors - as Odisha FC are famously known - made history by defeating the visiting Bashundhara Kings 1-0 in a do-or-die battle of AFC Cup Group D to progress to the interzonal semifinal playoff of the competition.
It was Mourtada Fall's rise above everyone in the defence to head home a well-taken corner kick by Ahmed Jahouh just after the hour mark, which brought the downfall of the 10-man Bashundhara Kings at present day Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The strike was enough for the Juggernauts to leapfrog Basundhara to the top of group standings and keep their chariot rolling as India's only representative in the continental level this season.
Needing nothing less than a win over leaders Bashundhara for a berth in the next round of AFC Cup, the hosts started on a positive note and used the flanks as well as the central midfield, manned by the pivotal Jahouh, to put pressure on their rivals from Bangladesh.
Bashundhara, on the other hand, needing just a point for the playoff spot, defended deep and soaked in the pressure.
In the ninth minute of the game, Odisha seized an opportunity when Cy Goddard delivered a powerful cross from the right wing but Brazilian striker Diego Mauricio failed to connect with the ball. Next minute, wing-half Jerry Mawihmingthanga made a beautiful pass to Goddard inside the box but the latter's powerful cross for Mauricio was inches away from giving the home team deserving lead.
Though their constant pressure in the attacking third failed to bear any fruit in terms of goal, Odisha went into the breather with a man advantage. Just before the half-time whistle, the Bangladeshi outfit lost Asror Gafurov when the midfielder received a red card for tackling Jahouh from behind.
Following the change of ends, both sides came back with much vigour and Fall secured the all-important goal of the match to seal the fate of Kalinga Warriors in the 61st minute. After finishing on top of the group Odisha will play the zonal semifinal playoff for a place in the zonal final.
