Bhubaneswar: Odisha FC faced another disappointing night on their home turf at the Kalinga Stadium, settling for a frustrating 0-0 draw against bottom-placed Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on February 28, 2025. Desperate for full points to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Kalinga Warriors had to share the spoils as both teams failed to break the deadlock.
The draw leaves Odisha FC teetering on the edge of elimination from the playoff race, remaining seventh on the points table with 30 points from 23 games. The draw is particularly disheartening as Odisha FC, now two points behind sixth-placed Mumbai City FC, must not only win their upcoming match against Jamshedpur FC on March 5 but also rely on other teams to falter for any chance of qualification. Coach Sergio Lobera’s squad will now need to fight tooth and nail for the final match of the season.
From the outset, both teams struggled to convert their chances. Odisha FC saw their first opportunity come through Savior Gama, who set up Thoiba Singh for a header attempt. Unfortunately for the home side, the shot flew over the bar, marking the beginning of what would be a night of missed opportunities.
Goalkeeper Padam Chhetri was called upon late in the first half to safeguard Odisha’s net, making two remarkable saves to keep the game goalless. The Black Panthers threatened to take the lead soon after halftime, but Carlos Franca’s golden opportunity to score went begging, leaving fans bewildered.
Mohammedan SC came close to breaking the deadlock themselves, with Alexis Gomez hitting the woodwork and Manvir Singh testing Odisha’s defense. Despite significant possession, the visitors failed to capitalize on their chances, thwarted by Odisha’s diligent defensive strategies.
One bright spot for Odisha FC came from their goalkeeper, Amrinder Singh, who reached the milestone of 50 clean sheets, becoming only the third goalkeeper to achieve this mark within ISL alongside Vishal Kaith and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. His timely saves were pivotal for Odisha FC, but with lackluster support from the attack, the pressure continued to mount.
“We played well defensively, but it’s frustrating to not be able to score. We created opportunities but failed to convert. We need to find our scoring touch before our next match,” Amrinder Singh remarked after the game, highlighting the frustration permeated throughout the squad.
Mohammedan SC, on the other hand, displayed commendable defensive resilience throughout the match, led by Florent Ogier, who contributed to stabilizing the backline remarkably. Ogier’s performances have been pivotal for the struggling team, ensuring they left Bhubaneswar with at least one point.
This match marked the second time Odisha FC has dropped points against Mohammedan SC this season, with both encounters resulting in goalless stalemates. The Kalinga Warriors must now regroup and prepare for their next encounter, which has become a must-win if they are to keep their hopes of playoff qualification alive.
With only one game remaining, Odisha FC is left hoping for not just their success but also for failures from their rivals, particularly Mumbai City FC and NorthEast United FC, both of whom sit only slightly above them on the points table. If the Kalinga Warriors hope to advance to the playoffs, every point is now imperative.
The club next faces Jamshedpur FC away on March 5, 2025, with fans hoping for one final push to secure the seven points needed to spark their playoff dreams, even if heavily relying on outsider scenarios.
Meanwhile, Mohammedan SC will aiming to build upon their encouraging performance when they take on FC Goa just days prior, seeking to end their season on a positive note.