In a day of many firsts, Kerala Blasters registered their first win of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season by inflicting a 2-1 defeat on Odisha FC at the Tilak Maidan in Goa on Sunday.
After a goalless first half, Alvaro Vazquez scored his first goal for Blasters before substitute Prasanth Karuthadathkuni added a second late on as Odisha suffered their first defeat in the ISL. A late goal from Nikhil Raj proved too little, too late for Kiko Ramirez's Odisha.
The win could give the Kerala side the much needed momentum to their ISL campaign as they climb to sixth in the points tally with five points from four games while Odisha stay third with six points from three outings.
Blasters were quick to test Kamaljit Singh as the Odisha custodian fisted away an Adrian Luna free kick in the fifth minute. Ivan Vukomanovic's side hogged the possession in the first half, but it was Ramirez's side who had the more clear-cut chances.
Odisha's Javi Hernandez fired over from 15 yards out in the 12th minute after Aridai Cabrera's pass. Blasters players were incensed when referee Venkatesh R ignored the assistant referee's offside call on Javi resulting in a pinball inside the Blasters area in the 37th minute. Their goalkeeper Albino Gomes had to tip away an ambitious long ranger from Hendry Antonay.
