The match between Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters might not come into the heavyweight clashes ISL has to offer but that does not mean the fixture holds no meaning at all. The Juggernauts and Blasters have often found bragging rights with a win in this meeting resulting in some feisty battles. Odisha FC’s growing prominence has added flavor to this meeting, a bit more during the Delhi Dynamos days. In overall statistics, Kerala Blasters pips them by just two wins while this clash has seen seven draws play out.
Here are some of the memorable matches played between Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters:
Odisha 2-1 Kerala Blasters (2 February 2024)
The last league meeting between the two in the 2023-24 seasons went to Odisha FC’s way. However, they had to fight from a goal down at home when Dimitrios Diamantakos scored for Kerala Blasters in the 11th minute. The match held significance for the Shield race then so the Juggernauts knew they could not disappoint especially in the Kalinga Stadium. Their talisman Roy Krishna came up with the answers with two goals within five minutes to seal the win.
Kerala Blasters 2-1 Odisha FC (27 October 2023)
The same thing happened but for Kerala Blasters this time in the other game at Kochi. Diego Mauricio gave the visitors an early lead but failed to double it up with his spot-kick saved by goalkeeper Sachin Suresh. That motivated the Blasters in the second half as they managed to level the score in the 66th minute through Diamantakos. The stage was set for Adrian Luna then to come up with a stunning winner by chipping Amrinder Singh from the edge of the box and for the yellow wall to explode in celebrations.
Odisha FC 2-1 Kerala Blasters (23 October 2022)
Another comeback win for Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium against Kerala Blasters came in 2022. It was another game with a second-half turnaround after Harmanjot Khabra’s emphatic header in the 35th minute put the Tuskers in front. Odisha FC came up with an instant response following the break as Diego Mauricio’s effort was parried to the post by Prabhsukhan Gill but the home side did not have to wait much longer. Jerry Mawhingthanga, who crossed the ball for Mauricio’s chance earlier, tapped in a rebound while substitute Pedro Martin scored a thumping winner in the 86th minute.
Odisha FC 2-2 Kerala Blasters (11 February 2021)
Both Kerala Blasters and Odisha FC had a disappointing 2020-21 campaign, played in a centralised zone in Goa due to the pandemic, as they finished in the bottom two of the league table. However, that did not stop them from playing out a thrilling 2-2 draw in Fatorda. Odisha’s Brazilian star put his side twice ahead but his efforts were foiled by Joran Murray and Gary Hooper who managed to rescue a point from the match.
Kerala Blasters 2-4 Odisha FC (7 January 2021)
Only a month ago, the pair were involved in a six-goal thriller with Odisha FC having the last laugh. This time Jordan Murray gave Blasters the lead in the seventh minute of the match but that was about that as the Juggernauts completely swung the game in their favor. Jeakson Singh’s unfortunate own goal in the 22nd minute put the match on level terms before centre-back Steven Taylor put Odisha FC ahead on the stroke of half-time. Once again, Diego Mauricio came up with the heroics with his second-half brace rendering Hooper’s 79th-minute strike as mere consolation.
Odisha FC 4-4 Kerala Blasters (23 February 2020)
However, no other clash comes close to the one played in February 2020 which was a proper goal-fest. It was another uninspiring season for both yet that didn’t stop them from going all out in this match. Manuel Onwu became the first player to score a hat-trick for Odisha FC against Kerala Blasters and the second player after Ian Hume to score three in this fixture. ISL’s all-time top scorer Bartholomew Ogbeche came to the rescue for the Blasters as his late brace, both from six yards, earned a point in the captivating encounter.
