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IWL Group A leaders Gokulam Kerala FC will be favourites to maintain their hot streak when they face HOPS FC in Tuesday’s morning kick-off at 8am IST at the Shahibaug Police Stadium.
The defending champions have hit eight goals in each of their first two games (8-2 vs East Bengal and 8-1 vs Sports Odisha), with Nepal international Sabitra Bhandari netting nine of those. Head coach Anthony Andrews is happy with his side’s offensive display and hopes to continue their form, but also wants more focus in defence. “We have been working on our attacking play and will look to create as many chances as possible. However, we also need to be disciplined in defence and not concede too many goals.
“Our opponents (HOPS) are a strong team, and we have a healthy respect for them. We have analysed their strengths and weaknesses and will be ready to adapt our tactics accordingly,” said Andrews.
HOPS FC had a heartbreaking Hero IWL debut as they went down 2-3 to Sports Odisha after conceding a 95th-minute goal. However, the side from the capital responded in fine fashion, defeating Misaka United 1-0 thanks to Renu Rani’s second-half strike.
HOPS head coach Sanjay Singh sounded upbeat ahead of their big game tomorrow. “We all trust each other in wins and losses and will keep fighting until the last whistle of the last match. ‘HOPS make miracles’ is our tagline, and we are out to prove it in this IWL,” he said.
Sanjay also claimed to be under no pressure before arguably his side’s biggest-ever challenge in the shape of Gokulam. “We are underdogs and have no pressure on us. We are a team of village players looking to prove our mettle against the best in the business.
“We trust our style of play. We can trouble even the best of the teams. We respect Gokulam and are excited to challenge them and even beat them,” Sanjay confidently added.
