Bhausaheb Bandodkar Trophy 2024: Odisha FC edge past CSD Defensa y Justicia

Odisha FC put up a tough fight against the Argentine side.

Odisha FC edged out CSD Defensa y Justicia with a 2-1 victory in the 2nd Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy at PJN Stadium, Fatorda, on Sunday night.

The first half ended goalless, but Defensa y Justicia broke the deadlock early in the second half. Vergara Cruz tapped in from a Bustos Gabriel free-kick to give Defensa the lead. However, Odisha FC equalized through Raynier Fernandes, who came off the bench to score in the 68th minute. Carlos Rodriguez then headed in a Boumous corner in the 79th minute to secure the win for Odisha.

In the first half, Odisha came close to scoring on multiple occasions. Hugo Boumous was thwarted by the Defensa goalkeeper inside the box, and Fernandez Alejo denied Roy Krishna with a remarkable goal-line clearance. In the 38th minute, Krishna’s attempt from a long ball was also saved by Defensa’s custodian.

Defensa had their chances too, but Gonzalez Roman’s header from a Bustos Gabriel free-kick went wide.

The second half saw Defensa y Justicia push for a goal and they succeeded in the 48th minute when Vergara Cruz tapped in from a Bustos Gabriel free-kick. As the match intensified, the referee handed out cautions to Defensa’s Villagra and Odisha’s Thoiba Singh.

Odisha regained momentum with Raynier Fernandes’s equalizer and then took control as Carlos Rodriguez’s header from a Boumous corner sealed a 2-1 victory for the ISL side.

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