The Blasters intensified their attack and were rewarded in the 73rd minute. Adrian Luna, shifting to the right flank, sent a curling cross towards the far-left post where Noah Sadaoui was positioned. Instead of going for goal, Noah smartly headed the ball to Jesus Jimenez at the centre, who executed a clinical finish, blasting the ball into the high centre of the net to give Kerala the lead.
Odisha responded with determination after falling behind. Diego Mauricio’s free-kick from the edge of the box was brilliantly saved by Sachin Suresh, but Saviour Gama’s follow-up effort required another vital intervention by the Blasters’ goalkeeper. The rebound, however, fell kindly to Dori, who slotted it in from close range to level the score in the 80th minute.
The match took a dramatic turn in the 83rd minute when Odisha’s Carlos Delgado was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, leaving the visitors to play with ten men.
Kerala Blasters seized the numerical advantage and mounted relentless pressure in the dying moments. Deep into added time, Noah Sadaoui delivered the decisive blow, scoring from close range to hand the Blasters their fifth win in the seven matches he has scored this season.
The Kochi-based side is now unbeaten (W5, D2) in all games Noah has found the net, while Odisha FC’s struggles continue.
