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Chennaiyin FC hope to conclude an underwhelming Indian Super League season with a win over rivals Kerala Blasters FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Sunday evening.
With 19 points from as many league games, eighth placed Chennaiyin FC come up against 10th placed Kerala Blasters who are enduring a disappointing campaign of their own. Csaba Laszlo’s Chennaiyin FC come into the final day clash on the back of a demoralizing 3-3 draw against NorthEast United FC, after having led through a Lallianzuala Chhangte brace and Manuel Lanzarote penalty. Kerala Blasters on the other hand suffered a 0-4 humiliation against Hyderabad FC that was followed by Head Coach Kibu Vicuna’s departure.
In what is one of the fiercely contested southern rivalries in the ISL, Chennaiyin FC will be hoping to bring some positivity and cheer among the fans watching back home as they take on Kerala Blasters. Last season’s 6-3 thumping of the Kochi side in their own backyard will be a source of inspiration for Laszlo’s men, with Chhangte scoring a double on that night as well.
In the reverse fixture this season, both sides played out a goalless draw in a game that saw Chennaiyin FC’s Slovakian striker Jakub Sylvestr failing to convert a penalty, saved by Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Albino Gomes. The trend of profligacy in front of goal pretty much began from that game, as Chennaiyin FC rued missed opportunities frequently– further bucked by the statistics in terms of chance creation and shots taken.
Chennaiyin FC have scored the joint-lowest number of goals this season, tied on 16 points with SC East Bengal. They will be hoping the likes of Chhangte, Sylvestr and Isma fire in a final salvo of an otherwise forgettable campaign played out in Goa within a bio-secure environment.
A victory in the final game could elevate Chennaiyin FC by a place or two in the ISL table, but with a full round of matches left to be played in the following week, it remains to be seen what the Marina Machans’ eventual position for the 2020-21 campaign is.
