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The 8th edition of the Indian Super League will kick off on Friday, November 19 at 7:30pm at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa as Kerala Blasters take on ATK Mohun Bagan. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the league is once again set to be held under closed doors and bio bubble.
The inaugural match between Kerala Blasters and ATK MB will be an exciting one as Kerala Blasters are glancing for a promising start to the tournament. To make things turn around this time, the Serbian coach Ivan Vukomanovic has been brought in, who is reconstructing the team. Bijoy and Sachin were promoted to the senior team based on their performance in the Kerala Premier League and pre-season games. A complete overhaul in the foreign contingent with the likes of Chencho Gyeltshen, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Alvaro Vazquez, Adrian Luna, Enes Sipovic, and Marko Leskovic are ready to put together their contribution to the team.
Ivan Vukomanovic has a vast acquaintance in the coaching field with his experience in premier divisions of Belgium, Slovakia and Cyprus, which he will be looking forward to reproducing in Kerala Blasters once again. The 44-year-old has a clear winning mentality which will help the team boost up with confidence.
Enes Sipovic from Chennaiyin FC and Marko Leskovic from Dinamo Zagreb lends more vitality to the defensive wall and Indian lad Sanjeev Stalin has performed promising at the preseason length. Chencho, Diaz and Alvaro are also worthwhile for the attacking style.
Kerala Blasters had a three-month-long pre-season and played friendlies against several teams. Likewise, Blasters tied boots in the Durand Cup which was held from August to September in Kolkata. After arriving at Goa, the team followed the mandatory COVID 19 protocols and warmed up against Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC, and Jamshedpur FC before the ISL kick-off. Few games were also played in Kochi as part of the preseason stint.
