PANJIM: Odisha FC cruised to their first win of the season with a 4-2 victory over Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim on Thursday.
Kerala drew first blood through Jordan Murray (7′) but Odisha grabbed the lead in the first half itself through an own goal from Jeakson Singh (22′) and a strike from Steven Taylor (42′).
Diego Mauricio’s second-half brace (50′, 60′) then settled the tie in favor of Odisha. Gary Hooper (79′) scored a consolation for Kerala, but it proved to be not enough to spark a comeback.
It was Odisha who started better, enforcing a corner but Kerala scored the opener much against the run of play through Murray. Odisha struck back 15 minutes later in somewhat fortuitous fashion. Jerry Mawihmingthanga found Mauricio on the right and his shot took a heavy deflection off Jeakson before trickling past a wrong-footed Albino Gomes.
Kerala would rue the misses soon with Taylor taking advantage of some poor defending to give Odisha the lead just before halftime.
Mauricio scored Odisha’s third after Jerry’s lob found him clear on goal. Then, ten minutes later, he scored a spectacular goal to put the result beyond doubt. Kerala would have a glimmer of hope in the 79th minute when Gary Hooper netted their second.
