Odisha will take on Kerala in the Thursday encounter of the Indian Football League to search for the first victory of the season. Both sides are sitting in the bottom three.
Match Timings: Jan 07, 7:30 PM IST
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The season 2020-21 has been a disappointing one for both Odisha and Kerala. Kerala somehow managed to get one victory of the season but Odisha are still winless after eight matches. Both are entering this fixture after losing the previous match. The playoff qualification looks blurred for these two clubs and they have to play an extra-ordinary game to turn around the table.
In the previous encounter, Yellows were thrashed by Mumbai and two first-half goals assured three points for the Islanders. Adam le Fondre scored in the third minute through a penalty as Costa Nhamoinesu misplaced Vicente Gomez’s pass. Hugo Boumous doubled the lead after few minutes through a good pass from Ahmed Jahouh. Kerala had some chances but they failed to grab it. Sahal steal the ball from Mourtada Fall and he created some space but Amrinder Singh saved it. Lalthathanga Khawlhring couldn't avail the chance from point-blank range. Murray also got a chance in the 56th minute but his goal was found to be off-side. Mumbai got a penalty but Albino Gomes saved it. Gomes has been outstanding in his role with saving the fourth penalty this season. Amrinder Singh denied Kerala Blasters FC when Vicente Gomez also came up with a half-chance through a long shot but Amrinder saved. Kerala head coach Vicuna made few changes in the second half to script any late comeback but they conceded a clean sheet to Lobero’s side.
Meanwhile, Odisha’s campaign is so poor this season and they have picked only two points from eight matches. Last Sunday, they suffered its sixth loss this season against Bengal. The Gold and Reds looked better from the starting of the game. Jacques Maghoma troubled Odisha’s defense and Bengal scored the opening goal through Anthony Pilkington. In the 20th minute, Majumder saved a header from Diego Mauricio to avoid an equaliser. Maghoma came close to score but missed out and he finally sent the ball past Arshdeep Singh in the 39th minute through the pass from Matti Steinmann. Odisha got two good chances to score but luck was not in its favour. In the 57th minute, Manuel Onwu's shot hit the upright and in the 60th minute, Jacob Tratt’s header hit the crossbar. Bengal sealed the game in the 88th minute with the third goal of the day with Bright Enobakhare’s strike. In injury-time, Odisha got a consolation goal as Danny Fox scored an own goal. Each game is important for Odisha from now on when the second half of the competition started. Odisha has an upper hand over Kerala in head-to-head. Kerala haven’t defeated Odisha in all three meetings between two as Odisha has one win and two matches were drawn.
Possible Lineups & Current From
Kerala
Albino Gomes (GK), Nishu Kumar, Costa Nhamoinesu, Sandeep Singh, Jessel Carneiro, Jeakson Singh, Vicente Gomez, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Sahal Abdul Samad, Facundo Pereyra, Jordan Murray
Current form: L W D L L
Previous match: 2-0 defeat to Mumbai
Odisha
Arshdeep Singh (GK), Hendry Antonay, Gaurav Bora, Steven Taylor (C), Shubham Sarangi, Jacob Tratt, Cole Alexander, Vinit Rai, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio, Manuel Onwu
Current form: L D L L L
Previous match: 3-1 defeat to Bengal
Key Players
Kerala
Jordan Murray
2 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Vicente Gomez
1 goal & 1 assist in Indian Football League 2020-21
Odisha
Diego Mauricio
2 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Steven Taylor
1 goal in Indian Football League 2020-21
