Kerala Blasters extends unbeaten streak to ten matches with a 2-0 triumph over Odisha
First-half strikes from full-backs Nishu Kumar and Harmanjot Khabra helped Kerala Blasters register a 2-0 win over Odisha in ‘Match 58’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season.
Both coaches were forced to make changes to their preferred playing XI. Kerala Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic replaced his injured skipper Jessel Carneiro with Nishu Kumar as the full-back made his first ISL start in 51 weeks while Enes Sipovic replaced Marko Leskovic in central defense.
On the other hand, Odisha head coach Kiko Ramirez replaced goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh with Arshdeep Singh as the former returned a positive diagnosis for COVID-19. Besides that, he also introduced Lalruathhara and Liridon Krasniqi in the starting XI dropping Thoiba Singh and Aridai Cabrera to the bench to add more solidity at the back.
Arshdeep was called into action pretty early when Jorge Pereyra Diaz played a defense-splitting ball for Sahal Abdul Samad who was through on goal but the Indian midfielder was beaten to the ball by the Odisha custodian’s timely run.
Vukomanovic’s team completely dominated the first quarter of the game but lack of clinical edge in the final third prevented them from taking the lead. In the 20th minute, a precise cross by Samad from the right flank found Khabra in a dangerous position but the veteran full-back failed to keep his header on target.
Odisha’s first major chance came in the 26th minute when Isaac Vanmalsawma’s cross from the right found Javi Hernandez at the edge of the box. A Johann Cruyff-Esque turn allowed the Spaniard to fox his marker and pull the trigger but Kerala custodian Prabhsukhan Gill came up with a good save.
It turned out to be a costly miss as the Tuskers broke the deadlock only a couple of minutes later. A lofted ball from Luna found Nishu at the left flank whose stunning effort rippled the top right corner of the net leaving Arshdeep rooted to his spot.
Nishu’s goal did not change the complexion of the game as Kerala continued dominating the proceedings and eventually found their second in the 40th minute when Khabra headed home a whipped corner from Luna. The 33-year-old was left unmarked at the near post and Arshdeep couldn’t keep the ball out despite getting his fingertips to it and the Blasters took a 2-goal comfortable lead.
Ramirez introduced Brazilian striker Jonathas at the start of the second half to add impetus to his team’s non-existent attack. This substitution almost paid dividends in the 61st minute when a long ball from the deep by Hernandez found Jonathas one-on-one with the keeper. The former Elche striker showed the presence of mind to go for a dinked attempt but Gill’s fantastic save helped Kerala maintain their two-goal lead.
Prabhsukhan Gill kept Jonathas’ effort out with a fantastic save
Jonathas came agonizingly close to scoring once again in the 71st minute when Jerry Mawihmingthanga found him with a delightful cross from the right flank. Though the Brazilian did well to get in between two defenders, his header was off-target.
Odisha’s misses galore continued as Nandhakumar Sekar squandered an opportunity in the 84th minute. Having found himself in space down the left flank, the winger initially failed to thread a pass for Jonathas, whilst his own effort from the rebound was wayward.
With this win, Kerala Blasters have reclaimed the pole position, a day after Jamshedpur dethroned them. They will now take on Mumbai City on Sunday while eighth-placed Odisha will be up against NorthEast United on Tuesday.