Hosts Odisha hold Maharashtra to an entertaining draw

Armash Ansari’s second-half goal was canceled out by a late Chandra Muduli stunner as host Odisha held Maharashtra to a 1-1 draw on the opening day fixture of Hero Santosh Trophy – Final Rounds.
For the home supporters and watchers, the tournament only kicked off when hosts Odisha took on Maharashtra later in the afternoon.
Buoyed by a vocal crowd at the Capital Football Arena, Odisha were the ones who started stronger, controlling not just possession, but also creating chances aplenty in an all-action first half. Marshaled by the steady presence of captain Rakesh Oram, Odisha forced Shivam Kiran Pednekar into multiple saves in the first half.
The display was enough for Maharashtra coach Steven Dias to not just lay into his team at the break but also change personnel in midfield. Dias brought on Kaustubh Ravindra at the beginning of the second period in place of Shrikant Molangiri. Molangiri was a last-minute addition to the Maharashtra team after Arif Shaikh had pulled out of the squad.
Ravindra immediately brought control into the Maharashtra midfield and soon enough they were creating more, despite remaining ineffective in the final third. In the 57th minute, Omkar Patil volleyed a cross low and hard into the box, from Ashley Koli’s switch, to cause panic in the Odisha defence. A bungled clearance fell kindly for Patil again, who this time composed himself to find Armansh Ansari. Ansari scored from close range to give Maharashtra the lead.
They had multiple chances to kill the game from there on, the most glaring of which fell to Rushikesh Patil in the 75th minute, the forward missing a clean header on goal from Koli’s cross. Odisha sensed that this was their moment to turn things around. And they did. A vocal crowd, dignitaries in attendance and even the ball boys joined into cheering the home team into an equaliser, as Odisha launched a late onslaught on the Maharashtra goal. It yielded reward soon, Chandra Muduli drawing a save from Pednekar, and then slamming the rebound into the roof of the net.
Maharashtra were suddenly just looking to survive. Pednekar was called into action multiple times in the final five minutes as Odisha kept plugging away. In the end, a draw seemed deserved.
For coach Salim Pathan it was a chance missed, and he admitted that if not for Pednekar’s heroics and some lackluster finishing the result could have been different. “I’m disappointed, I won’t lie,” he said. “If you don’t get three points after putting in such a commanding performance then it frustrates you. But I give it up to the boys for never letting their heads drop and getting a crucial point.”
Maharashtra (Armash Ansari 57’) 1 – 1 Odisha (Chandra Muduli 83’)
Also Read: Kerala edge Goa in a thrilling Santosh Trophy opener
Also Read: IFA announce West Bengal squad for Santosh Trophy final round
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers: India vs. Thailand – A Winner-Take-All Showdown!
The stage is set for a thrilling climax in Group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, as India’s Blue Tigresses prepare to face Thailand’s Chabakaew in a…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
The Quest for Redemption: Why Tomorrow’s India vs. Thailand clash transcends Qualification
As the clock ticks down to the monumental clash between India and Thailand in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the air is thick with anticipation. This isn’t just…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Etched in History: Blue Tigresses Break the Hex, Qualify for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026!
When the final whistle pierced the air at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, it wasn’t just a sound; it was the echo of history being rewritten. Tears streamed…
East Bengal to play Bangalore’s South United in opener as 134th IndianOil Durand Cup fixtures and groups announced
The 134th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup, will kick off on July 23rd, 2025, with Emami East Bengal FC facing Bengaluru-based South United FC (SUFC) at the iconic Vivekananda…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
FIFA Women’s World Cup the next mountain to climb for the Blue Tigresses
It’s been four days since India’s historic qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. But the dust from the celebrations isn’t settling anytime soon, and the women’s football…
Hon. President of India Flags Off 134th Durand Cup Trophies in a Grand Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan
New Delhi, July 4, 2025: In a moment steeped in legacy and national pride, the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, today flagged off the three iconic Durand Cup…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / AIFF / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
AIFF announces reward for fantastic Blue Tigresses
AIFF has announced a reward of USD 50,000 for the Senior Indian Women’s National Team following their outstanding performance in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Thailand. The…
Durand Cup returns to Imphal with a grand trophy tour
Imphal welcomed the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup trophies with a grand trophy tour as Asia’s oldest football tournament returned to Manipur’s capital after a two-year hiatus. The three trophies of the…
Football News / Indian Super League
Reebok Returns to Football with John Abraham’s NorthEast United FC
Kicking off a powerful new chapter in Indian football, Reebok, a global leader in athletic footwear and apparel, has announced a strategic partnership with NorthEast United Football Club (NEUFC). Owned…
Maharashtra Oranje FC’s Academy Division, SFL Oranje Academy, announces Trials for 2025-26 season across multiple age groups
Mumbai, Maharashtra – Maharashtra Oranje FC, a prominent name in Mumbai’s football circuit, is set to hold extensive trials for the upcoming 2025-26 season through its academy division, SFL Oranje…
SSE BFC offering girls football trials in Mumbai for U14 & U17 Teams
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-serving academies, is a trusted name and has positively contributed to shaping the local football community for thousands of kids since 2010. SSE Soccer…
SSE BFC Soccer Schools Announces Open Trials for 2025-26 Season in Mumbai
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-standing football academies, has announced open trials for its 2025-26 SSE BFC Soccer Schools program in partnership with Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC….
South United FC Announces Trials in Pune for their Residential Academy in Bangalore
South United Football Club has announced its next set of trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held in Pune. The trials will take place at the Club’s…
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign
Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…