Thursday , March 28 2024

ISL-4: Rejuvenated Kerala Blasters welcome fellow southerners Bengaluru FC!

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 will witness the third and arguably the biggest southern derby of the season yet when Kerala Blasters FC host Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. The Blasters are undefeated in their last two matches and come off the back of a point against neighbours Chennaiyin FC in their previous fixture. In front of their rapturous home fans, Kerala will want to pick up their second win of the season and climb up the points table. Meanwhile, the Blues, after getting off to a flyer in their debut Hero ISL season, are suddenly finding the going tough as they succumbed to back-to-back defeats in their previous matches. A trip to Kochi is by no means an easy prospect but they will hope to get their campaign back on track with a victory.

KEY PLAYERS

C.K. Vineeth (Kerala Blasters FC)

Kerala’s local boy has now scored in both his team’s previous two fixtures. Quick and opportunistic, the 29-year-old has been showing much of the class that was prominent last season. Vineeth possesses good dribbling skills and has a knack of being at the right place at the right time. He will want to come up with another strong performance when he goes up against his former team.

Edu Garcia (Bengaluru FC)

The Spaniard is one of the most versatile players in the league and has been instrumental in carrying forward Bengaluru’s attacks. He has been equally effective as a winger or a central midfielder and has bagged a goal and three assists already. Incisive with his passes and intelligent with his runs, the 27-year-old will be a key figure when the Blues visit Kochi.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS

Kerala Blasters FC

Rene Meulensteen will probably use a 4-1-4-1 formation that will bring out the depth in the middle of the park.

Goalkeeper: Paul Rachubka

Defenders: Lalruatthara, Nemanja Lakic-Pesic, Sandesh Jhingan, Rino Anto

Midfielders: Wes Brown, Courage Pekuson, Siam Hanghal, CK Vineeth, Jackichand Singh

Forward: Mark Sifneos

Kerala’s head coach on the highly-anticipated derby: “We have to treat it as one of the games with a little sort of edge to it, because it has a derby feel to it which is always good. It makes the game special. And all the fans are up for it, looking and listening and seeing to the responses going around. That will be good for us. We are looking forward to it.”

Bengaluru FC

Albert Roca may opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation, which relies heavily on their midfield and flanks for proper service to the striker.

Goalkeeper: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Defenders: Rahul Bheke, John Johnson, Juanan, Subhasish Bose

Midfielders: Lenny Rodrigues, Edu Garcia, Erik Paartalu, Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh

Forward: Miku

Blues assistant coach Naushad Moosa on the team’s mindset ahead of the fixture: “If you see the results, we have won all the last three away games. We are playing positive football, and we will be playing positive football tomorrow. It’s not that we will go defensive. We have come here for points, and hopefully we will get them.”

KEY STATS

– Four former Bengaluru FC players are donning the Kerala jersey this time: CK Vineeth, Sandesh Jhingan, Rino Anto and Siam Hanghal

– 2014 and 2016 were the years the Blues won the I-League title, while Kerala finished as runners-up in the ISL in those two years.

FORM GUIDE (Last five matches)

Kerala Blasters FC: D W L D D

Bengaluru FC: L L W W L

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