Kerala Blasters don't like to win easily, they prefer to suffer first and then, if luck permits, secure an unlikely win. They did it in New Delhi last week, edging Punjab 1-0 after receiving two red cards. They did it again, in Kochi, against Odisha. Noad Sadaoui's deflected shot in the fifth minute of seven added minutes gave the Blasters a hard-fought 3-2 win. 

The Blasters have won back-to-back matches for the first time this ISL season to move into eighth position with 20 points. Kwame Peprah (60) and substitute Jesus Jimenez (73) scored for the home side while Jerry Mawihmingthanga (4) and former Forca Kochi striker Dorielton (80) netted for the visitors.

T G Purushothaman has bagged three wins in four matches since he took charge as the interim head coach following the sacking of Mikael Stahre in mid-December. But like they say, old habits die hard, and the Blasters remain as shaky in defence as they were throughout this season. 

Action between Kerala Blasters (blue) and Odisha FC in the ISL at Kochi on Monday. Photo: ISL
Action between Kerala Blasters (blue) and Odisha FC in the ISL at Kochi on Monday. Photo: ISL

This match shouldn't have ended this way, giving the fans plenty of nervous moments. For the fans, who have been taking to the streets demanding better signings and more ambition from the management, how the team conceded, should be unacceptable. Jerry had poked home a cushioned header from Dorielton to put Odisha in front, and one might give the benefit of the doubt to the Blasters defence for it happened in the fourth minute.

ADVERTISEMENT

But what about that second goal? Dorielton had scored from point-blank after goalkeeper Sachin Suresh effected a poor punch onto the Brazilian's path. Yet another poor clearance from the young goalkeeper. But the Blasters should not have conceded that freekick on the edge of the box in the first place. Two defenders -- Pritam Kotal and Sandeep Singh -- couldn't handle Jerry on the break and Diego Mauricio was unlucky to rattle the post, but the defence just couldn't clear. 

Odisha were unlucky to be reduced to ten men for the last 10 minutes after Carlos Delgado got two bookings. But the Blasters should find themselves lucky as they just couldn't see off the game despite having more than 65% possession, sending in 32 crosses (Odisha: 8) and winning 15 corners (Odisha: 4).

ADVERTISEMENT

TAGS

The comments posted here/below/in the given space are not on behalf of Onmanorama. The person posting the comment will be in sole ownership of its responsibility. According to the central government's IT rules, obscene or offensive statement made against a person, religion, community or nation is a punishable offense, and legal action would be taken against people who indulge in such activities.