In a thrilling Indian Super League (ISL) encounter, Kerala Blasters FC emerged victorious against Odisha FC, thanks to a late goal from Noah Sadaoui. The match, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final moments.

First Half: A Tactical Battle

The first half saw both teams adopt a measured approach, with Kerala Blasters FC enjoying a slight edge in possession. The home side’s attacking intent was evident, but Odisha FC’s well-organized defense held firm. Kerala’s Sahal Abdul Samad had the best chance of the half in the 20th minute, forcing a spectacular save from Odisha’s goalkeeper Amrinder Singh with a powerful long-range effort.

Odisha, on the other hand, relied on counter-attacks, with Diego Mauricio testing the Blasters’ backline. A close attempt from a free kick in the 25th minute by Mauricio nearly gave the visitors the lead, but the ball sailed just wide.

Despite moments of brilliance from both teams, the first half ended goalless, with neither side able to capitalize on their chances.

Second Half: High Intensity

The second half began with increased urgency from both teams. Kerala Blasters looked to dominate the midfield, with Ivan Kaliuzhnyi and Adrian Luna pulling the strings. Odisha FC, however, continued to threaten on the break, keeping the Kerala defense on their toes.

In the 65th minute, Kerala came agonizingly close to opening the scoring. Adrian Luna delivered a pinpoint cross to Dimitrios Diamantakos, whose header was cleared off the line by an alert Odisha defender. Moments later, Odisha’s Jerry Mawihmingthanga struck the post with a powerful low drive, nearly putting the visitors ahead.

Sadaoui’s Moment of Glory

The deadlock was finally broken in the 88th minute when Noah Sadaoui capitalized on a perfectly weighted through ball from Adrian Luna. Sadaoui displayed immense composure, slotting the ball past Amrinder Singh to give Kerala Blasters the lead. The stadium erupted in celebration as the home side edged closer to a crucial victory.

Odisha FC launched a desperate offensive in the final minutes, but Kerala’s defense, marshaled by Marko Leskovic, held firm to secure a hard-fought 1-0 win.

Key Takeaways

• Match-Winner: Noah Sadaoui’s late strike was the decisive moment, showcasing his ability to deliver under pressure.
• Midfield Mastery: Kerala’s duo of Ivan Kaliuzhnyi and Adrian Luna controlled the tempo, proving instrumental in their team’s success.
• Defensive Resilience: Kerala’s backline stood tall, particularly in the closing stages, to preserve the clean sheet.

What’s Next for the Teams?

The win boosts Kerala Blasters FC’s standings in the ISL table, strengthening their bid for a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Odisha FC will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming fixtures to stay in contention.

Kerala Blasters will face a challenging clash against Bengaluru FC next, while Odisha FC will host ATK Mohun Bagan as they aim to bounce back.