Kerala Blasters' missed chances and other talking points from first ISL 2023-24 playoff

Odisha FC will face Mohun Bagan in the semi-finals.

The first playoff match of the ISL 2023-24 season saw Odisha FC script a comeback to remember and send Kerala Blasters out of contention. The Blasters did score the first goal, but just couldn’t maintain their lead and succumbed to the pressure from the Juggernauts.

Mourtada Fall found the net in the 27th minute and it was awarded as a goal before the officials overturned their decision and called it offside. Fedor Cernych opened the scoring for the visitors before Diego Mauricio pulled a goal back and forced the game into extra-time. İsak Vanlalruatfela scored the winning goal to book a semi-final spot for his side.

Let us take a look at the talking points from the game.

3. Amrinder Singh & Ahmed Jahouh created the difference

Amrinder Singh put in a wonderful shift under the sticks and helped his side get past the Blasters. The visitors kept on piling pressure on him, but he kept on denying them on every occasion; he accumulated five key saves in the process. 

Jahouh on the other hand, was solid in the middle of the park. His cleverness coupled with his creativity made it very difficult for the away side to implement their plans. He created five chances and also won back possession at crucial moments of the game.

2. Missed and unconverted chances cost Kerala Blasters the game

It was a game full of missed and unconverted chances for the Kerala Blasters. They left no stones unturned to create chances across 120 minutes, but their lack of clarity and quality up front cost them the game big time. Both Cernych and Mohammed Aimen had chances to score, but they failed to do so.

They had six shots on target and missed out on three big occasions. A lack of clinicality coupled with some bad luck produced such a result for the Yellow Army. The story would’ve been very different had they converted their chances.

1. Odisha FC fight back from behind to book an ISL semi-final berth

Odisha FC pulled off the unthinkable when no one expected them to. They were trailing until the 86th minute and a comeback wasn’t on the cards, but Sergio Lobera’s men scripted a fairy tale to send them through to the semis.

Diego Mauricio initiated the comeback before İsak Vanlalruatfela put the Juggernauts in the lead in the 98th minute (extra-time). With this win, Odisha FC have now booked a meeting with the latest ISL Shield winners Mohun Bagan.

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