Bengaluru FC helped Odisha FC qualify for the playoffs of the 9th Indian Super League (ISL) Football Tournament as they beat FC Goa 3-1 in a high-stake match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium today.

Though Odisha FC completed their league engagements at sixth place with 30 points, their playoff hopes became dependant on the results of the match between Bengaluru FC and FC Goa.

If FC Goa had won that match would have tied for the sixth place with Odisha FC and would have qualified for playoffs on better goal difference. But like Odisha FC, FC Goa suffered defeat in their last match against Bengaluru FC to finish seventh with 27 points.

The win over FC Goa was the eighth consecutive one for Bengaluru FC and confirmed a top-four finish with 34 points. League toppers Mumbai City FC, Hyderabad FC, ATK Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters FC are other four teams to have booked playoff berths earler.

This is the first time that Odisha FC have qualified for the playoffs in ISL. Earlier known as Delhy Dynamos FC, Odisha FC came into existance in 2019 after signing an MoU with Government of Odisha. It shifted its base from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi to Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Odisha FC is also known as The Juggernauts.

QUALIFIERS & STANDINGS: 1. Mumbai City FC (20 matches, 14 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses, 46 points), 2. Hyderabad FC (19 matches, 12 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses, 39 points), 3. Bengaluru FC (20 matches, 11 wins, 1 draw, 8 losses, 34 points), 4. ATK Mohun Bangan (19 matches, 9 wins, 4 draws, 6 losses, 31 points), 5. Kerala Blasters FC (19 matches, 10 wins, 1 draw, 8 losses, 31 points), 6. Odisha FC (10 matches, 9 wins, 3 draws, 8 losses, 30 points).

PLAYOFF FIXTURE:

March 3 (Knockout 1): 4th position vs 5th position (Venue: Home Ground of 4th position)
March 4 (Knockout 2): 3rd position vs 6th position (Venue: Home Ground of 3rd position)
March 7 (Semi-final 1, 1st leg): 1st position Mumbai City FC (Home team) vs Winner of Knockout 1
March 9 (Semi-final 2, 1st leg): 2nd position Hyderabad FC (Home team) vs Winner of Knockout 2
March 12 (Semi-final 1, 2nd leg): Winner of Knockout 1 (Home team) vs 1 (Mumbai City FC)
March 13 (Semi-final 2, 2nd leg): Winner of Knockout 2 (Home team) vs 2 ( Hyderabad FC).
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PHOTO: Odisha FC team pose before their last league match against Jamshedpur FC in Bhubaneswar on 22 February 2023.