In a thrilling encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala Blasters secured a last-gasp 3-2 victory over Odisha FC in the Indian Super League on Monday, thanks to an injury-time winner from Noah Sadaoui.
The Blasters, initially trailing after a fourth-minute goal by Odisha’s Jerry Mawihmingthanga, turned the match on its head with three second-half goals in a stunning 35-minute spell. The victory propelled the Blasters to eighth place in the league standings, much to the delight of their home crowd.
Despite the early setback, the Blasters showed resilience. Odisha’s defense, solid in the first half, kept Kerala’s forwards at bay. However, the tide turned around the hour mark when Kwame Peprah equalized with a brilliant solo effort. The forward dashed through the center, eluded Odisha goalkeeper Amrinder Singh, and netted the ball with a well-angled shot, shifting the game’s momentum.
Buoyed by the equalizer, the Blasters intensified their attack. The second goal came through a well-orchestrated move involving captain Adrian Luna, who sent a precise cross from the right. Noah Sadaoui smartly relayed the ball to substitute Jesus Jimenez, who tapped it in to give the Blasters a 2-1 lead.
The drama continued as Odisha mounted a strong comeback. Blasters’ goalkeeper Sachin Suresh was called into action, making crucial saves before Odisha managed to level the score 2-2 in the 80th minute. The match appeared to be heading for a draw until Sadaoui stepped up in injury time.
Receiving the ball on the left, Sadaoui fired a shot that deflected off Odisha defender Rahim Ali and found the back of the net, sparking jubilant celebrations in the stadium.
The result highlighted the Blasters’ attacking prowess and determination under pressure. Sadaoui, the hero of the night, showcased his composure and skill at a critical juncture, ensuring the Blasters took all three points.
With this win, Kerala Blasters reignite hopes of climbing further up the table as they gear up for the next phase of the league. For Odisha, the loss marks a missed opportunity, and they will need to regroup quickly to stay competitive in the tournament.
