Kerala Blasters' injury woes continued as Jairo Rodrigues and Raphael Messi Bouli were forced to leave the field within the first half itself against Odisha FC in an ISL 2019-20 match, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
Kerala Blasters, who have already lost defenders Sandesh Jhingan and Gianni Zuiverloon, and midfielder Mario Arques to injuries, lost their skipper Rodrigues as early as in the second minute of the game.
also read
- Heartbreak for Mohun Bagan as Mumbai City FC crowned ISL champions at Salt Lake
- 'We'll miss you Ashaan', says Manjappada as KBFC part ways with manager Ivan Vukomanovic
- Kerala Blasters vs Odisha FC: Kochi club's mainstay faces three-match suspension, set to miss play-off
- ISL: Kerala Blasters beaten 2-0 by NEUFC
The Kerala side chose to start with forward Messi Bouli in place of regular skipper and star forward Bartholomew Ogbeche, but had to replace the former after he and Odisha's Aridane Santana were involved in a nasty head-on collision in the 23rd minute.
Despite the injuries, Kerala dominated the first half with midfielders K.P. Rahul and Sahal Abdul Samad keeping the Odisha defenders on their toes with their speed and skills.
Kerala Blasters had the chance of the match in the 35th minute when a wonderful solo run by Samad resulted in him being fouled inside the box by Odisha's Narayan Das. But, much to the shock of Blasters players, coach Eelco Schattorie and fans, the referee waved play on.
In the 44th minute, Rahul tried to score with an acrobatic volley from a cross from Mohammed Rafi, but it sailed over the bar.
Kerala Blasters are coming on the back of two consecutive defeats to Hyderabad FC and Mumbai City FC and need to win the match to get their campaign back on track.
