Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters Share Spoils in Thrilling ISL Encounter

In a captivating display of football, Odisha FC staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 2-2 draw against Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) match held at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, on Thursday. The match, which saw a blend of skill, drama, and controversy, left both teams with a point each.

Mikael Stahre, the head coach of Kerala Blasters, witnessed his side dominate the early proceedings with flair and precision. His team managed to establish a 2-0 lead within the first quarter of the game. The opening goal came in the 18th minute, courtesy of Moroccan attacker Noah Sadoui, who expertly finished with his right foot after a setup by Spanish forward Jesus Jimenez. Shortly afterward, in the 21st minute, Jimenez doubled the lead by firing a shot into the top corner, assisted by Sadoui.

Despite their strong start, the Blasters couldn’t maintain their defensive solidity. Goalkeeper Sachin Suresh‘s shaky performance proved costly. An attack led by Diego Mauricio from the left caused confusion in the Blasters’ defensive line, resulting in a deflection off Alexandre Coeff and into the net, which pulled one back for Odisha FC.

The momentum swung thereafter, and Odisha continued to press for an equalizer. The decisive moment came as Jerry Mawihmingthanga skillfully navigated into the penalty area from the right wing, delivering a pass to Mauricio, who calmly slotted the ball past Suresh to level the score.

The match was not without contention. In the closing moments, Kerala Blasters felt aggrieved when they were denied a penalty after replays suggested Noah Sadoui was tripped inside the box. However, the referee dismissed their pleas, leaving the game to finish in a stalemate.

After the international break, Kerala Blasters will face a challenging away game against Mohammedan Sporting in Kolkata, marking their third consecutive match away from home on October 20.