After a slow start and a wasteful first half, Kerala Blasters showed perseverance and determination to secure a crucial win over Odisha FC. Despite falling behind early on, the home team continued to attack, getting a breakthrough in the 60th minute with Kwame Peprah's equalizer. With limited options on the bench for Odisha, Kerala's late substitution Jesus Jiminez made the difference, helping them secure a much-needed victory in front of their home crowd.
Kerala Blasters Secure Crucial Victory Over Odisha FC
After a sluggish start and a disappointing first half, Kerala Blasters rallied back to secure a vital 1-1 draw against Odisha FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday. Despite conceding an early goal, the home team displayed resilience and determination to secure a crucial point in their quest for a playoff spot.
Match Highlights
Odisha FC drew first blood in the 22nd minute through Nandhakumar Sekar. However, Kerala Blasters refused to let their heads drop and continued to press for an equalizer. Their efforts paid off in the 60th minute when Kwame Peprah converted a penalty after a handball in the Odisha box.
With Odisha FC's bench limited in options, Kerala Blasters made a tactical substitution in the 80th minute, bringing on Jesus Jimenez. The substitute almost immediately made an impact, winning a free kick in a dangerous position. From the subsequent set piece, he provided a pinpoint assist for Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, who headed home the equalizer in the 87th minute.
Impact on the Standings
The draw leaves Kerala Blasters in ninth place in the Indian Super League table with 19 points from 16 matches. Odisha FC, meanwhile, remain in 12th place with 14 points from the same number of games.
Post-Match Reaction
Kerala Blasters coach Ivan Vukomanovic expressed his pride in his team's performance. "We didn't start well, but we showed great character and determination to come back in the second half," he said. "This point is very important for us and it gives us confidence for the remaining matches."
Odisha FC coach Josep Gombau was disappointed with the result but praised his team's effort. "We played a good match, but we made some mistakes that cost us the game," he said. "We need to learn from these mistakes and move forward."
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Why did Kerala Blasters struggle in the first half?
The team appeared sluggish and lacked creativity in the opening 45 minutes, failing to create any clear-cut chances.
How did Kwame Peprah's penalty change the game?
The equalizer gave Kerala Blasters a much-needed boost in confidence and allowed them to press forward with more purpose in the second half.
Why did Odisha FC have limited options on the bench?
The team had several players suspended or injured, including their regular starting goalkeeper Amrinder Singh.
What was the significance of Jesus Jimenez's substitution?
The substitute provided fresh legs and creativity in attack, helping Kerala Blasters create chances and eventually find an equalizer.
What are the implications for both teams going forward?
The point is crucial for Kerala Blasters as they continue to push for a playoff spot, while Odisha FC will need to find consistency if they want to move up the table.
Rising Indian cricketer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, has made a shocking decision to leave Mumbai and join Goa in the upcoming domestic season, as he seeks a change for personal reasons. The left-handed opener, who has already shown great potential in international cricket, will now represent a lesser-known team in hopes of making a bigger impact. This move is unprecedented, especially considering Jaiswal's successful stint with Mumbai and a lack of big names in the Goa team. Fans eagerly await the results of this surprising shift.
After Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) faced their first eight-wicket home defeat during IPL 2025, team mentor Zaheer Khan expressed his dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions. He stated that the curator did not consider it a home game, and requested for more support from the home facilities in order for the team to perform better in their home ground. Despite expecting the track to favour spin bowling, LSG's decision to bring in M Siddharth instead of Prince Yadav backfired as PBKS's fast bowling group proved to be too much for them.
On Monday, Mumbai Indians' medium-pacer Ashwani Kumar, a 23-year-old from Punjab's Jhanjeri, became the first Indian ever to take four wickets on his Indian Premier League debut, helping his team to an easy win against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium. Despite appearing at trials for multiple IPL franchises, Ashwani's humble village background and love for classic Punjabi food kept him grounded and motivated for his record-breaking performance. Coach Varinder Singh worked with Ashwani to develop his skills, and his proud mother, Meena Kumari, shared his love for besan ka chilla and aloo parathas with the media after the match.
Batting superstar Virat Kohli recently expressed his criticism towards the BCCI's decision to limit family time on international tours. This move has caused controversy, with players feeling that it affects their focus and personal well-being. Yuvraj Singh's wife, Hazel Keech, has spoken out in support of the updated policy, stating that it benefits both players and their families. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has confirmed that the rule will remain in place for the time being, citing its importance to the country and the board.
After leading the Indian cricket team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy, Virat Kohli has announced his next big goal - winning the ODI World Cup in 2027. Amid speculation about his potential retirement, Kohli made it clear that he is not looking to slow down anytime soon. Meanwhile, other Indian players, including Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer, are set to retain their A+ grade contracts.
Pakistan's struggles continued in the second ODI against New Zealand as they lost seven wickets while chasing a target of 293. Star batter Babar Azam, who failed to perform in the first ODI, could only manage 1 run before being dismissed by Jacob Duffy. With fans and cricket enthusiasts expressing frustration over his ongoing struggles with the bat, the pressure is on Babar to deliver in the upcoming matches of the three-match ODI series against New Zealand. Despite his form difficulties, many still believe that Babar's class is permanent and a big innings is just around the corner.
In a high-scoring and intense game, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Denver Nuggets, 140-139, in double overtime. Despite a career-high 61 points from Nikola Jokic, the Timberwolves were able to rally and secure the win with two clutch free throws from Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The win also marks the Timberwolves' fourth consecutive victory over the Nuggets this season.
Nishant Dev, a young boxer from India, has recently turned professional after being inspired by legends like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. The 23-year-old made his debut in the professional boxing world after falling in love with the sport while watching YouTube videos. Despite his loss in the Paris Olympics, Nishant's decision to go pro was not influenced by that defeat and he continues to train hard under the guidance of former American boxer Ronald Simms.
KKR all rounder Ramandeep Singh gives glowing praise to Mumbai Indians' Ashwani Kumar for his four-wicket haul in Mumbai's victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 12 of the IPL 2025. Ashwani becomes the first player to achieve this feat on his IPL debut.
The Mumbai Indians started their IPL campaign with an 8-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders, with 23-year-old pacer Ashwani Kumar stealing the spotlight with his impressive performance. MI skipper Hardik Pandya praised the team's scouting efforts for discovering Kumar's talent, and highlighted his crucial wickets of Andre Russell and Quinton de Kock as the game-changers for the team. Fans can catch all the latest updates from IPL 2025 on News24, and follow them on social media for breaking news and updates.