ISL 2020-21: Diego Mauricio's brace ensures convincing win for Odisha FC over Kerala Blasters FC
This was Odisha FC's first win of the season, as along with two draws and six loses, it stays at the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters FC suffered its fifth loss of the season, while along with three draws and five loses, it stays on 10th.
Following an eight-game winless run, Odisha FC seems have found a new mojo, as it beat Kerala Blasters FC 4-2 during the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) clash, at the GMC Stadium in Goa, on Thursday. However, the result hardly made an impact for either side in the table, as Odisha stayed at the bottom, despite the win, while Blasters stays at 10th.
The opening half saw three attacks within six minutes, including a couple of saves from Odisha goalkeeper, Arshdeep Singh. It was in the same minute when Jordan Murray put the Blasters ahead with a left-footed strike to the middle, six yards from the left, from a set-piece.
It was followed by seven further attacks until the 21st minute, including a couple of saves from the keeper of both. The very minute saw Jeakson Singh conceding an own goal, to allow Odisha to bounce back.
Eight more attacks ensured, including three saves, while a couple of them came from Arshdeep. Nonetheless, Steven Taylor put Odisha ahead in the 41st minute, with his right foot, into the bottom-right from the entre, following an assist from Jerry Mawihmingthanga, as half-time kicked in.
The second half saw an attack in the 46th minute, followed by a goal three minutes later from Diego MaurÃcio, as he shot with his right foot to the bottom-left from the centre, following another assist from Mawihmingthanga. With another attempt in the 53rd minute, it was six minutes later, when MaurÃcio scored his second through his right foot, to the bottom-right from outside the box, thanks to Nandhakumar Sekar's assist.
Five more attempts were made until the 69th minute, including twin saves from both sides. Nine minutes later, Gary Hooper drew the second goal for Blasters with his right foot, into the bottom-right from the centre.
Seven more attempts ensured, including a chance for Blasters that came off the post in the 90th minute. Nonetheless, Odisha had done its job, as it walked away with its first three points in the season.