Durand Cup 2023 HIGHLIGHTS: Odisha FC lose to Indian Army team

IN ANOTHER UPSET result at the Durand Cup, Indian Army beat Odisha FC in a Group F game at Kokrajhar today.

Odisha FC, who won the Super Cup last season, sent a young reserve side to Durand this season. However, their inability to get past Indian Army - which mostly plays at the amateur level - comes as a surprise to many.

The conditions on the ground were not at their best; although they were much better than the waterlogged pitch situation that halted the Bodoland FC vs Rajasthan United match for a while.

The Indian Army team displayed a great bit of stamina and ability to pass, and after a shaky start they became the more imposing side in the match. Towards the end of the first half, Liton Shil put them ahead.

In the second half, too, the Army players displayed a level of speed that Odisha players struggled to keep up with. And although goalscorer Liton was sent off towards the end, the 10 man Indian Army managed to hold onto the lead.

The surprise result has propelled Indian Army to the top of the Group F points table. Odisha are at the bottom of the table after their first game. This has created an interesting situation in the group; with both Rajasthan and Indian Army being the early leaders but Odisha still having enough potential to come back in future matches and make a bid for a place in the quarter finals.

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