Two bottom sides, Kerala and Odisha lock horns in the Thursday encounter of Indian Football League 2020-21. Odisha are coming off a 4-1 defeat to Mariners, while Kerala lost to Mumbai in the last outing.
Match Timings: Feb 11, 7:30 PM IST
Team Preview
Kerala’s campaign has been a roller-coaster ride and a defeat against Mumbai gave them a big push to almost deny the playoff qualification. Kerala started well in the game. Right-back Sandeep Singh and Sahal Abdul Samad set up a chance but Mourtada Fall cleared it easily. Adam Le Fondre could have scored twice but on both times, he missed out the target. Jordan Murray struck the ball from a distance to strike for Kerala, but Amrinder Singh made a stunning save. Kerala opened the scoring in the 27th minute and Vicente Gomez scored his second goal of the season through a free header when Sahal found him with a corner kick. The Yellow outfit almost doubled the lead but Amrinder made a dive save.
Mumbai didn’t wait for the equaliser and scored early in the second half. Rahul KP made a good run and allowed Jordan Murray to take a shot but it hit straight to Amrinder Singh. Costa brought down Adam Le Fondre to award Mumbai an unexpected penalty. The Englishman grab this chance with both hands and Mumbai took the lead. Kerala would look for improvement to better its position in the table. Kerala finished at seven in the last edition and this edition, playoff look difficult. The Yellow Outfit comes second from the bottom but victory on Thursday may change their fate in the table. Kerala will eye at least fifth and sixth spot with four games in hand.
Meanwhile, Odisha’s campaign is over considering the playoff hopes and most probably, Kalinga Warriors are going to finish last this season. In the last outing, Mariners thrashed them 4-1 after a dominating second-half display. Habas’ men took the lead in the 11th minute through a Manvir Singh strike and Odisha equalised just before the first half break, courtesy of Cole Alexander’s strike. The second half was all about Mariners’ dominance and Kolkata giants regained the lead in the 54th minute through another Manvir Singh strike. Roy Krishna put the final nail in the coffin with a brace to secure a 4-1 victory over Odisha. Kalinga Warriors can take inspiration from its first-leg game with Kerala where Odisha earned its only victory of the season. Odisha looked like a clueless side who had no idea against the Mariners’ attack. Kolkata giants took all the chances and delivered their ninth defeat of the season. Arshdeep was completely off the colors. He could have saved the second and fourth goals from the Kolkata outfit. Better performance in the next four games can turn things around for Odisha and they can avoid the bottom finish.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Odisha
Arshdeep Singh (GK), Mohd Sajid Dhot, Gaurav Bora, Jacob Tratt, Rakesh Pradhan, Cole Alexander (C), Paul Ramfangzauva, Vinit Rai, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio, Manuel Onwu
Current Form: L L D D L
Previous Match: 4-1 defeat to Mohun B.
Kerala
Albino Gomes, Sandeep Singh, Jeakson Singh, Costa Nhamoinesu, Jessel Carneiro, Juande, Vicente Gomez, Sahal Abdul Samad, Rahul KP, Gary Hooper, Jordan Murray
Current Form: L L D D W
Previous match: 2-1 defeat to Mumbai
Key Players
Odisha
Diego Mauricio
7 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Cole Alexander
3 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Kerala
Jordan Murray
6 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
Rahul KP
3 goals in Indian Football League 2020-21
