Latest news with #KalingaPlayeroftheMatch
United News of India
04-05-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
FC Goa strolls to Kalinga Super Cup title with 3-0 win over Jamshedpur FC
Bhubaneswar, May 4 (UNI) As the final whistle blew and rain kept pouring at the Kalinga Stadium, it was as though the heavens joined in to mark FC Goa's crowning moment. With the players singing and dancing in the rainstorm, the Gaurs lifted the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 in style, storming past Jamshedpur FC 3-0 in a commanding final performance on Saturday night. Borja Herrera led the charge with a brilliant brace, while Dejan Dražić added the finishing touch on a night that blended grit, glory, and a touch of cinematic flair. The victory marked FC Goa's first trophy under head coach Manolo Márquez, whose chapter at the club came to an end in the perfect manner. It was Goa's second Super Cup title overall, making them the first club to win the tournament twice. The result also secured their qualification for the AFC Champions League Two 2025-26 as they will return to an Asian club competition after four years. The match was billed as a battle between FC Goa's attacking firepower and Jamshedpur's unbreached defence, yet by full-time, it was clear which side had stamped its authority. Jamshedpur, known for their compact shape and counter-attacking style, and having not conceded a single goal until the final, simply couldn't cope with Goa's expansive play. While Jamshedpur did show some early promise, Javier Hernández forcing a sharp save from Hrithik Tiwari in the third minute, the momentum quickly swung in Goa's favour. With Aakash Sangwan and Dejan Dražić tearing down the wings and Carl McHugh and Borja pulling the strings in midfield, Goa dominated both possession and territory. The opener arrived in the 23rd minute. Sangwan made a blistering run down the left and unleashed a powerful drive that Albino Gomes could only parry. Borja was first to the rebound — his first shot was blocked, but he coolly slotted the second into the roof of the net. Jamshedpur's best chance came late in the first half when Lazar Ćirković's header rattled the crossbar, but their lack of attacking thrust was evident throughout. FC Goa doubled their lead in the 51st minute with a moment of brilliance. Borja, picking the ball up near midfield, surged forward and unleashed a ferocious 25-yard strike that arrowed into the top corner, leaving Gomes helpless. Khalid Jamil's men tried to claw their way back, with Jordan Murray setting up Javier Siverio, but the forward blasted over from close range. The third and final goal came in the 71st minute and showcased Goa's poise and precision. McHugh dissected the defence with a perfectly weighted through ball, and Dražić latched on, rounded the keeper, and tapped home into an empty net. As the match wound down and rain began to fall, the mood turned celebratory as FC Goa's players danced to cap off a wonderful performance and embrace their moment in history. Borja was presented the Kalinga Player of the Match by Sonali Chand, Officer on Special Duty, Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha. UNI BM ARN
United News of India
27-04-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Chhangte's strike puts Mumbai City FC in Kalinga Super Cup semi-finals
Bhubaneswar, Apr 27 (UNI) Mumbai City booked their place in the semi-finals of the Kalinga Super Cup, with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Inter Kashi at the Kalinga Stadium, here on Sunday. After a goalless first half, Lallianzuala Chhangte's 71st minute goal proved the difference in a game of fine margins. Mumbai will now face the winners of the quarter-final between NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC. A cautious first half was played out mostly in midfield with neither side able to register a single shot on target in the period. It was a predictable set of characters leading the two sides' offensive charges, Edmund Lalrindika and Nikola Stojanovic's influence countered by Lallianzuala Chhangte and Jorge Ortiz. The best chance of the half fell to Vikram Partap Singh, who was played through with a brilliant long ball by Nathan Rodrigues. The ball was perfectly within his stride and would have opened up a chance to shoot straight at goal with no defenders nearby. The forward's touch was too heavy and almost immediately was closed down, the half chance taken away. Mumbai City were the ones keener to get on the scoreboard in the second half, Kashi happy to defend, drag them into deep waters and look for a chance on the counter. In the 53rd minute, Niko Karelis shot an acrobatic effort wide from inside the six-yard area after Mehtab Singh's initial header was tipped on to the cross by Shubham Das. The chance fell from a corner, which in itself was a product of a sharp save made by Das from Ortiz's snap volley off PN Noufal's cross. Das was at the centre of the drama again soon after, diving full stretch to palm away an accidental volley by his defender which seemed destined for the back of the net. The chance had been created by another Ortiz long pass into the box. Mumbai's reward came in the 71st minute via Chhangte. After PN Noufal's low cross was badly cleared, Niko Karelis had two shots on goal from seven yards away, both his attempts blocked by desperate Kashi defenders. The second rebound fell into the path of Chhangte. He fired a first-time effort at the near post and the ball bounced off the upright and in. Mumbai had finally broken through. Jorge Ortiz was presented the Kalinga Player of the Match award by Sonali Chand, OAS, Officer on Special Duty, Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha. UNI BM SS
United News of India
27-04-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
FC Goa strike late to pip Punjab in Kalinga Super Cup
Bhubaneswar, Apr 26 (UNI) FC Goa produced a sensational late comeback to defeat Punjab FC 2-1 in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Kalinga Super Cup at the Kalinga Stadium here on Saturday night. The win helped the Gaurs book a semi-final date with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, which will be played on April 30. Punjab FC, who had taken the lead early in the second half through Ezequiel Vidal (57'), looked set for a famous win. However, two quickfire goals in the space of three minutes from Borja Herrera and Mohammed Yasir in the dying minutes turned the game on its head, leaving Punjab heartbroken. The match kicked off with Punjab FC showing greater urgency and attacking intent. Their forwards pressed high and tested the FC Goa defence, creating the first real chance of the game in the ninth minute. Vidal's corner found Nikhil Prabhu, whose header forced a sharp save from Goa's goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari. Punjab remained compact defensively as well, successfully keeping FC Goa's talisman Iker Guarrotxena quiet throughout the first half. The Spaniard, who had been a key figure for the Gaurs all season, found little room to operate against a disciplined Punjab backline. FC Goa, on the other hand, took time to settle down and their first major opportunity came in the 18th minute following a delightful team move. Udanta Singh found himself on the end of the final pass but failed to hit the target. Minutes later, Borja saw his shot saved by Muheet Shabir, and although Guarrotxena latched onto the rebound, his effort was blocked amidst appeals for a handball, which the referee waved away. With the first half ending goalless, both sides regrouped, but it was Punjab FC who struck first. In the 57th minute, Muhammad Suhail unleashed a left-footed effort from distance that rattled the post. Vidal reacted quickest to the rebound, slotting home to give Punjab a deserved lead. FC Goa, now chasing the game, struggled to break down Punjab's defence, which remained resolute as the clock ticked towards full-time. Despite Goa's growing possession, Punjab appeared to have done enough to see the match out. But football can be cruel, and in the 89th minute, Punjab's resistance was finally broken. Substitute Brison Fernandes swung in a cross from the right that Ashish Pradhan failed to clear properly. The loose ball fell to Borja, who finished clinically into the bottom right corner to level the score. Barely three minutes later, disaster struck for Punjab again. Dejan Drazic's floated cross from the left found Punjab defender Pramveer in position to clear, but his weak header dropped invitingly to Yasir. The FC Goa midfielder rifled a venomous shot into the net to complete a stunning turnaround. To compound Punjab's misery, Pramveer received his second yellow card in stoppage time and was sent off, ending a night to forget for the defender. Borja Herrera was handed the Kalinga Player of the Match award by Amit Kumar Nayak, OAS, Deputy Secretary to Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha. UNI BM SS
United News of India
25-04-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Jamshedpur FC march into Kalinga Super Cup quarter-finals
Bhubaneswar, Apr 25 (UNI) Jamshedpur FC continued their strong run of form with a commanding 2-0 win over Hyderabad FC in their Round of 16 encounter of the 2025 Kalinga Super Cup, held at the Kalinga Stadium here. Goals from Javier Siverio (39' p) and Stephen Eze (64') ensured a comfortable passage for the Men of Steel on Thursday night, who will now face NorthEast United in the quarter-finals. Having finished fifth in the Indian Super League (ISL) table and narrowly missing out on the final after a semi-final loss to Mohun Bagan SG, Jamshedpur entered the tournament with high expectations and looked the more composed and purposeful side throughout the match. In contrast, Hyderabad FC, who endured a torrid ISL campaign and finishing 12th, came into the game as clear underdogs. The game began on a quiet note, with both sides tentative in the opening exchanges. Hyderabad were content to sit deep, while Jamshedpur tried to establish control. As the minutes ticked by, the trio of Jordan Murray, Javier Hernandez, and Javier Siverio began to combine effectively, steadily putting pressure on the Hyderabad backline. Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession, Jamshedpur initially struggled to create clear openings, with Hyderabad defending in numbers and closing down space effectively. However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 39th minute following a well-constructed move. Eze sent a pinpoint ball into the box for Ashutosh Mehta, who made a surging run down the right. As Mehta attempted to control the ball, he was brought down by Manoj Mohammad, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Siverio stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past Arshdeep Singh, sending the Hyderabad keeper the wrong way to give Jamshedpur a deserved lead heading into the break. Just before half-time, Jamshedpur nearly added a second from a free-kick, but Hyderabad's defenders held firm with some brave last-ditch defending. Hyderabad made a few changes in the second half in an attempt to wrest back control, but the momentum remained firmly with Jamshedpur. The Men of Steel continued to control the midfield and showed great discipline in defence, rarely allowing Hyderabad a chance to get into dangerous areas. The result was sealed in the 64th minute when Jordan Murray, who had been a constant menace, charged into the box and laid the ball off for Stephen Eze. The towering defender made no mistake from close range, tapping home to double Jamshedpur's lead. From then on, it was smooth sailing for Jamshedpur, who managed the game effectively and kept Hyderabad at bay with relative ease. Hyderabad's attempts to create a late spark were snuffed out by a well-organised Jamshedpur defence, and the match ended in a comfortable 2-0 win for Khalid Jamil's men. Javier Hernandez was presented the Kalinga Player of the Match award by Asish Kumar Rout, Officer on Special Duty, Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha. UNI BM
United News of India
22-04-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Punjab FC beat Odisha FC 3-0 in Kalinga Super Cup
Bhubaneswar, Apr 22 (UNI) Punjab FC delivered a clinical and composed performance to book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Kalinga Super Cup, dispatching Odisha FC 3-0 in a one-sided Round of 16 clash at the Kalinga Stadium here. Goals from Asmir Suljic (14'), Norberto "Pulga" Vidal (69') and Nihal Sudeesh (90') sealed the result for Punjab FC, who capitalised on Odisha's poor finishing and defensive lapses throughout the match on Monday night. Punjab FC came into the game on the back of a difficult ISL campaign, having finished 10th with just eight wins. But they looked like a transformed side in Bhubaneswar, combining resolute defending with incisive attacking play. Odisha FC, on the other hand, struggled to shake off their recent inconsistency — they had won just two of their last seven matches and were missing key striker Roy Krishna due to an injury. Odisha were undone by Punjab's fast start. In the 14th minute, Asmir Suljic calmly slotted home the opener following a sharp exchange. Sulijic's combination with Vidal repeatedly exposed Odisha's backline, which looked shaky without the presence of a strong defensive leader. The Juggernauts responded with a flurry of chances, but lacked the finishing touch. Hugo Boumous came close in the 43rd minute with a curling effort from the edge of the box, but his shot was tame and easily gathered by Muheet Shabir, who stood tall in the Punjab goal. The second half saw more urgency from Odisha, but their forward line continued to misfire. Jerry Lalrinzuala had a golden chance in the 66th minute after a neat cutback from Amey Ranawade, but he completely miscued his attempt, summing up Odisha's night in front of goal. Three minutes later, Punjab made them pay. Vidal, who had been pulling the strings in midfield, shrugged off a challenge, turned his marker, and rifled a powerful left-footed shot into the far corner to make it 2-0. It was a deserved goal for the Argentine playmaker, who orchestrated much of Punjab's attacking rhythm. Odisha, though determined to fight back, continued to waste their few clear openings. Their task was made even harder by a well-organised Punjab defence, with goalkeeper Muheet putting in a strong display, including a key early save with his right leg to deny Boumous. In the final minute of regulation time, Punjab FC sealed the match in style. Substitute Nihal Sudeesh latched onto a through ball, coolly rounded the goalkeeper, and slotted it into an empty net to complete a commanding 3-0 win. Pulga Vidal was presented the Kalinga Player of the Match award by Bijay Kumar Swain, OAS, Additional Secretary, Sports & Youth Services Department, Govt of Odisha. UNI BM
