HIGHLIGHTS, Durand Cup, OFC 2-0 KBFC: Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters, Pedro, Isaac score to steer Juggernauts to a win

Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters FC: Read the pre-match build-up and live updates of the OFC vs KBFC fixture of the Durand Cup 2022.

Thoiba Singh of Odisha FC in action against Azhar of Kerala Blasters FC in the Durand Cup match. | Photo Credit: Durand Cup Media

Welcome to Sportstar's live blog of the 2022 Durand Cup clash between Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters being played at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.

This was Neeladri Bhattacharjee bringing you the minute-by-minute updates of this high-voltage clash. Thanks for tuning in and take very good care of yourselves.

Full Time! Odisha FC continues its 100 per cent win record with a 2-0 win

Two goals in the second half -- one by Issac Vanmalsawma Chhakchhuak and the other by Perdo Martin -- guided Odisha FC to its second successive win, with its goal difference at eight now. OFC sits top of the table after the win.

90’

Shot! Azhar tries a long-distance stunner with his right foot, but the ball flies off target, forcing Dylan -- the Odisha FC goalkeeper -- into action.

85’

Chance! Mauricio gets the ball in front of the box, he runs in beating one defender, but stops running right in front of the goalie, trying a flick. Sachin - the goalie - however, gets the better of him eventually.

74’ Pedro doubles Odisha FC’s lead

Odisha FC gets a corner kick, which after a deflection, falls for Osama. Osama heds it in for Pedro, who shoots the ball into the net to double Odisha’s lead.

Did you know?

Osama Malik has won the Australia Cup (the FA Cup equivalent in Australia) twice -- once with Adelaide United (2014) and then with Melbourne City (2016).

66’

63’

Substitution! Odisha FC replaces goalscorer Isaac with Australian midfielder Osama Malik. The player has over 200 appearances in the A-League.

60’

Off target! Ruathhara delivers a cross from the right for Mauricio, who heads the ball, but he fails to keep the header down.

51’ Goal! Odisha gets in front

Diego Mauricio gets onto the pitch after half time and makes an immediate impact. He makes a run behind the defenders, passes right onto the centre of the box for Isaac, who finishes smoothly to score for Odisha FC

47’

Kerala Blasters tries to put on its foot on the gas, but Odisha looks to have learnt from the first half and is keeping one OFC defender behind every KBFC player in the final third.

Second Half!

The players are out on the pitch as the referee blows his whistle to start the second half. We are underway for another 45 minutes of exciting football.

𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞!

Some great tactical play by #KBFC youngsters in the 1st half helps them hold the strong #OFC attackers from scoring any goal. Stay tuned for the 2nd half action!#OFC 0-0 KBFC#OFCKBFC ⚔️#DurandCup 🏆#IndianOilDurandCup 🏆#DurandCup2022 🏆 pic.twitter.com/5hsHVGIpdM

— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 23, 2022

Half-Time!

Despite Odisha coming close to scoring in three occasions, Sachin’s efforts have prevented the Juggernauts from opening its account.

45+2’

Chance! Kerala goes on attack, with Aritra making a run along the left flank and barges into the box, receives the ball and shoots with his first touch. But the shot flies off-target

42’

Thoiba tries to get the ball up the pitch, but Roshan, who is back after medical attention, is marking him well enough to prevent any such development. Thoiba tries to deliver a through ball, but ends up conceding a throw-in as a result.

37’

Offside! Nandha gets another identical aerial ball in the box, but fails to connect well with his head. However, the OFC player was already offside.

34’

Shot! Jerry floats in a cross from the right for Nandha, who shoots on target. Sachin manages to get his foot in front and stops, what looked like a certain goal.

33’

Match resumes after the cooling break and Odisha tries a long throw into the penalty box. The Kerala Blasters team sticks to the plan it has so far in the match -- defend in numbers. This time too, it does not disappoint, clearing the ball away

26’

Roshan of Kerala Blasters pulls a cramp and is immediately assisted by the KBFC’s medical team. He is carried out on a stretcher. Not the kind of sight football likes to see.

Meanwhile, Odisha regroups to re-evaluate its plans.

22’

Delgago delivers a aerial cross for Jerry on his right as the Indian makes a run along the right flank and crosses for Pedro. But Sachin gets to it first.

20’

Kerala has all its men at the beck, except Ajsal, who waits for long balls from the yellow shirts. The Juggernauts, who had scored three goals in the first half, has not been able to breach the yellow fortress yet.

15’ Odisha has its first shot on target

Jerry, the forward who scored a brace in the last match, tries to score from distance with a shot, but Sachin has his hands glued to the ball. The score remains 0-0 at the moment.

14’

Odisha gets a corner kick. Dene takes the kick, but it is overhit by a long long way. He was aiming for Thoiba, but misses the target as the ball goes out for a goal kick.

10’

Jerry makes a run in the final third, but Sachin comes to the rescue and saves the ball before it reaches Pedro Martin.

2’

Shubham and Thoiba are making runs withing the channels, trying to create attacking chances early on in the match

1’

Kerala Blasters starts the match with back passes, trying to build from the back, but Odisha gets back possession following a throw-in. Shubham gets the ball to OFC with the throw.

Kick Off!

Kerala Blasters starts from right to left, in its signature yellow and blur, while Odisha FC starts in a light blue-green shade from the other end.

2:50 pm: Less than 10 minutes to go for kick-off!

Form Guide:

Both the Indian Super League teams have played one match each, in the Durand Cup 2022. Odisha has beaten NorthEast United 6-0 while Kerala Blasters comes into the match after a 1-1 draw.

Starting lineups today

Odisha FC: Dylan (GK), Narender, Delgado (C), Pedro, Nandha, Shubham, Jerry, Saul Crespo, Thoiba, Dene, Isaac

Kerala Blasters FC: Sachin (GK), Marvan, Tejas, Basith, Aritra, Azhar, Vibin, Gourav, Aimen, Roshan, Ajsal

Which teams are playing in the Durand Cup today?

Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will be in action on the Matchday 8 of the Durand Cup 2022.

The Odisha FC side looked in fine form in its first game, scoring at will in a 6-0 drubbing to NorthEast United FC.

The combination of Jerry, Nandhakumar and Pedro Martin upfront worked wonderfully well in tandem and those like Diego Mauricio and Thoiba Singh – who came off the bench – looked hungry.

Spanish gaffer Josep Gombau seemed to have all bases covered and has put together an efficient and lethal unit.

The young Blasters side will thus, have its task cut out as the Tomasz Tchorz-coached side – although winning a point against Sudeva – was certainly under the cosh for most parts in its first game.

Where is Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters FC being played?

Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters FC is being played at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam..

When is Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters FC in Durand Cup?

The match between Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters FC is scheduled for a 3 pm kick-off IST.

Where can I watch Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters FC?

The Durand Cup fixture – Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters FC – will be aired on Sports18 and Sports18 HD.

Sports18 is available on Tata Play (Channel No. 488), Airtel Digital (Channel No. 293), JioTV+ (Channel No. 262 – SD, 261 – HD) and Sun Direct (Channel No. 505).

Where can I live stream Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters FC?

The Durand Cup fixture – Odisha FC vs Kerala Blasters FC – can be live streamed on Voot and JioTV.