Odisha Triumphs Over Telangana in Santosh Trophy Clash

Match Overview

Narainpur (Chhattisgarh): In their second match of the 79th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2025–26, Team Odisha secured a narrow 1–0 victory against Telangana on Wednesday.

The match was fiercely contested for the full 90 minutes, with Odisha's captain and forward, Kartik Hantal, scoring the only goal just three minutes before halftime.

Despite having possession, Telangana struggled to convert their chances into goals.

With players like Imran Ali and Syed Imtiyaz Ahmed in their ranks, their offensive efforts were consistently thwarted by Odisha’s solid defense. The frustration of Telangana was evident, culminating in a booking for Shashank Kanoujia in the 87th minute as they pressed for an equalizer.

Odisha, on the other hand, demonstrated superior game management. Their midfield, led by Gaurav Negi and Jitu Muduli, effectively controlled the pace and structure of the game, while Srikant Gadaba and Kartik Hantal provided the necessary attacking impetus.

The match's pivotal moment came when Odisha capitalized on their scoring opportunity, resulting in the decisive goal that determined the outcome.

This encounter showcased Odisha’s tactical discipline and ability to remain composed under pressure, while Telangana was left lamenting their missed chances in a tightly fought, low-scoring match.