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Bhubaneswar, 20 April (HS). Odisha FC entered the semi-finals of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 by defeating Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 in the first playoff match in extra time at their home ground Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday night. In the semi-finals, Odisha will face Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the last four match over two legs.
For Odisha, striker Isaac Vanlalruatfela scored the decisive goal in the 98th minute during extra time. Before the scheduled time, both the teams were tied at 1-1, in which Kerala Blasters FC took the lead in the 67th minute with a goal from Lithuanian striker Fedor Chernich, but substitute Brazilian striker Diego Mauricio scored in the 87th minute to give Odisha FC a 1-1 draw. Brought to par. Moroccan midfielder Ahmed Jahouh was declared player of the match for his strong performance in the midfield.
The first goal of the match came in the 67th minute, when Lithuanian striker Fedor Chernich scored to give Kerala Blasters FC the lead, making it 1–0. During a counter-attack, striker Mohammed Aiman played a measured through-pass to Fedor, who was running down the right side of the attacking third, whereupon the Lithuanian striker took the ball into the box and then fired a volley into the box to the right. With a well-grounded right footer shot, the ball entered the bottom left corner, while Odisha FC goalkeeper Amrinder Singh could not save even after diving to his right.
In the 87th minute, substitute Brazilian striker Diego Mauricio scored a goal to give Odisha FC a 1-1 draw. After taking a long through-pass, Indian-origin Fijian striker Roy Krishna headed the ball inside the box on the right, close to the goal line, creating an opportunity for Diego, who took the ball from close range with his right foot. He was sent across the goal line while Kerala Blasters' substitute goalkeeper Karanjit Singh had no chance. This is Diego's 11th goal this season.
In the 98th minute, striker Isaac Vanlalruatfela scored a goal to put Odisha FC ahead 2-1 and this score proved to be decisive and with this Odisha made it to the semi-finals.
Let us tell you that this was the 23rd match between the two teams in ISL and Odisha FC won its seventh match while Kerala Blasters FC won nine matches. Seven matches have been drawn between the two.
