By defeating the Kerala Blasters 2-0 on Tuesday in the 131st Durand Cup at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Odisha FC earned their second victory in Group D. However, they faced a tenacious Blasters team that held them without a goal until halftime thanks to shrewd tactical defending. Issac Vanmalsawma and Saul Pedro from Odisha scored goals for the champions, which was encouraging for Spanish coach Josep Gombau.
Odisha now leads Group D with six points after two games, while Kerala Blasters are second with one point after the same amount of games.
After a sluggish start by both teams, Odisha FC began to control the ball once they calmed down in the first half. In their defence against the more seasoned Odisha team, the Blasters were compact, kept their shape, and played well.
Shubham Sarangi and Thoiba Singh Moirangthem, two wingbacks who frequently rushed through the sides and played high up the field, caused issues for the Blasters defence. Jerry, who had two chances in the last game, got the first opportunity, but his effort went straight at Blasters goalkeeper Sachin Suresh, who made a good save and had a lot of work to do.
Issac Vanmalsawma had the finest opportunity of the half, but his shot went off-target. Regular flank threats came from Nandhakumar Sekar and Jerry as well, but Kerala’s defence held strong.
The Kerala Blasters got the game going in the second half, but Odisha FC soon took control and started to produce the better opportunities. The attacking line had good communication and put pressure on the Blasters’ box.
Then, after running below the Blasters defence line and making a right-handed ball, second-half substitute Diego Mauricio had a significant influence right away. Issac Vanmalsawma successfully completed after receiving the ball just inside the area to give Odisha its first goal of the match.
Attacks and opportunities kept coming, and Jerry’s corner caused a flurry inside the Blasters’ penalty area, leading to the second goal. Osama Malik, an Australian who had just entered the game in the second half, headed the ball on goal, and Saul Pedro pounced on the defender’s rebound to double the lead.
Even yet, the young Blasters’ effort against an Odisha team that entered the game having scored six goals in their last match was commendable. The young Blasters were unable to string together any significant attacks, enough to concern the Odisha FC defence.
On August 29, Odisha FC will play Sudeva Delhi FC, and on August 31, Kerala Blasters will take on Army Green Football Team.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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