Mauricio stars as Odisha dominate Kerala for first win of the season

Bambolim (Goa): Odisha FC picked up their first win of the season, defeating Kerala Blasters 4-2 in an Indian Super League clash, here on Thursday.

Kerala drew first blood through Jordan Murray (7') but Odisha took the lead in the first half itself through an own goal from Jeakson Singh (22') and a strike from Steven Taylor (42').

Diego Mauricio's second-half brace (50', 60') then settled the tie in favour of Odisha. Gary Hooper (79') scored a consolation for Kerala, but it proved to be not enough to spark a comeback.

It was Odisha, which started better, enforcing a corner in the third minute but Kerala scored the opener much against the run of play.

KP Rahul headed Facundo Pereyra's free-kick at goal and a diving Arshdeep Singh could only parry it straight into Murray's path. The latter made no mistake from a tight angle.

Odisha struck back 15 minutes later in a somewhat fortuitous fashion. Jerry Mawihmingthanga found Mauricio on the right and his shot took a heavy deflection off Jeakson before trickling past a wrong-footed Albino Gomes.

Vicente Gomez almost came up with an equaliser as he headed in Pereyra's cross, but it was straight at Arshdeep.

Kerala would rue the misses soon with Taylor taking advantage of some poor defending to give Odisha the lead just before half-time.