Odisha FC vs Mohun Bagan, ISL 2024-25: Hugo Boumous’ Historic Goal Cancelled Out By Manvir’s Bullet Header in 1-1 Draw

Odisha FC vs Mohun Bagan, ISL 2024-25: Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan played out an evenly contested 1-1 draw in the ISL on Sunday, November 10, with both teams unable to clinch the three points at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.

Odisha took an early lead just four minutes in, as Hugo Boumous capitalised on an indirect free kick inside the box after a rare handling error by Mohun Bagan’s Vishal Kaith, who picked up Asish Rai’s scuffed pass inside the penalty box.

Boumous, a former Mariner, blasted his shot from an indirect freekick in the box into the net, marking his second goal of the season and making history with the first-ever indirect free-kick goal from within the penalty area in ISL’s ten-year span.

Despite their early advantage, Odisha couldn't hold on, as Mohun Bagan levelled the score later in the first half through Manvir Singh’s well-timed header from a Dimitri Petratos corner. The hosts seemed to drop too deep after the early goal, allowing the Mariners chance after chance to attack their opponents, finally scoring from their fifth corner of the day in the 37th minute.

Odisha FC 1-1 Mohun Bagan: What Does the Draw Mean For the Mariners?

For Mohun Bagan, the draw signifies a missed opportunity. Following Bengaluru’s recent draw against NorthEast United, the Mariners had a chance to go one point from the top of the table with a game in hand.

However, failing to capitalise on this match means they remain second with 14 points, trailing Bengaluru by three points, albeit with a game in hand still. Odisha, meanwhile, sits mid-table and continues their mixed run, with a record of two wins, three draws, and three losses.

Hugo Boumous’s Historic Goal to Grab Headlines in Odisha FC vs Mohun Bagan

French midfielder Hugo Boumous’ goal in the fourth minute was a notable first in ISL history due to its unusual set-up. After Mohun Bagan’s Ashish Rai inadvertently back-passed the ball to Kaith, who then handled it, the referee awarded Odisha an indirect free kick inside the box.

FIFA rules mandate indirect free kicks for non-contact infractions within the box, such as handling back-passes. Boumous received the short pass from Ahmed Jahouh and fired through traffic, aided by a deflection from Manvir Singh that sealed the goal.

Why was Odisha FC Given Indirect Free-Kick in Box Against Mohun Bagan?

The reason Odisha FC received an indirect free kick instead of a penalty is that Hugo Boumous' goal came from a technical infringement rather than a physical foul. According to FIFA's backpass rule, if a goalkeeper handles a pass from a teammate in the penalty box, it disrupts play but isn't treated like a direct foul that endangers an opponent.

This rule, introduced in 1992, aims to prevent time-wasting and keep the game flowing. Thus, handling a backpass results in an indirect free kick, which requires a pass before a shot, rather than a penalty kick.