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Odisha FC created history by emerging champions in the Super Cup Football Tournament, defeating Bengaluru FC 2-1 in the exciting final at EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala today. Star striker Diego Mauricio scored both the goals for Odisha FC, while Sunil Chhetri pulled one back for Bengaluru FC.
Mauricio was awarded as the Hero of the Final Match and Hero of the Tournament. He received a total cash prize of prize of Rs 2,75,000. His teammate Amrinder Singh bagged the award as the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
Odisha FC reached the final for the first time, scripting a dramatic 3-1 win over North East United FC in the second semifinal at Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri earlier on April 22. After conceding an early goal, Odisha FC rode on a brace by Nandhakumar to clinch the convincing win.
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NEUFC took the lead in the second minute of the game with Wilmar Jordan Gil scoring off a cross by Rochharzela. But Nandhakumar pulled Odisha FC out of the crisis and into a position of strength, netting his two goals in the 10th and 64th minutes. Diego Mauricio scored the third goal for Odisha FC in the 85th minute.
Participating in the Super Cup for the first time, Odisha FC made it to the semifinals by winning two matches and drawing one in Group-B league. They started their campaign with 1-1 draw against East Bengal and then beat Aizawl FC 3-0 and Hyderabad FC 2-1. Odisha FC will now play a qualifier against Gokulam FC on April 29 with the winner qualifying to represent India in the AFC Cup 2023-24.
ODISHA FC SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Niraj Kumar, and Lalthuammawia Ralte. Defenders: Narender Gahlot, Carlos Delgado, Osama Malik, Shubham Sarangi, Denechandra Meitei, Sahil Panwar and Lalruatthara. Midfielders: Paul Ramfangzauva, Raynier Fernandes, Saul Crespo, Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, Princeton Rebello, Victor Rodriguez, and Isaac Vanmalsawma. Forwards: Pedro Martin, Diego Mauricio, Nandhakumar Sekar, Akshunna Tyagi, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Isak Ralte, Soosai Raj, and Aniket Jadhav. Head Coach: Clifford Miranda, Assistant Coach: Santosh Kashyap.
ODISHA FC RESULTS:
April 9 (At Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri): Odisha FC (Nandha Kumar 73) drew with East Bengal FC (Mohammad Mobashir Rahman 38) 1-1. PoM: Diego Mauricio (Odisha FC).
April 13 (At Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri): Odisha FC (Diego Mauricio 47, Victor Rodriguez Romero 55, Nandha Kumar 90+2) beat Aizawl FC 3-0. PoM: Aniket Jadhav (Odisha FC).
April 17 (At Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri): Odisha FC (Diego Mauricio 55th, Victor Rodriguez 86th) beat Hyderabad FC (Javier Siverio 11th) 2-1. PoM: Diego Mauricio.
April 22 (Semifinal At Payyanad Stadium, Manjeri): Odisha FC (Nandha Kumar 10th, 64th; Diego Mauricio 85th) beat North East United FC (Wilmar Jordan Gil 2nd) 3-1. PoM: Nandha Kumar.
April 15 (Final at Kozhikode): Odisha FC (Diego Mauricio 23, 37) beat Bengaluru FC (Sunil Chhetri 85) 2-1. PoM: Diego Mauricio.
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TOP: Players of Odisha FC celebrate after emerging Super Cup champions with a 2-1 win over Bengaluru FC in Kozhikode on 25 April 2023.
RIGHT: Odisha FC star striker Diego Mauricio receives the Hero of the Tournament prize from former India star IM Vijayan in Kozhikode on 25 April 2023.
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