Chennai take on resurgent Blasters in a crucial tie

Kochi:Kerala Blasters will welcome their Southern rivals Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi and the home side will look to extend their unbeaten run to five matches, with one eye on the remote possibility of making the Hero Indian Super League playoffs. 

Chennaiyin are not yet assured of qualification for the semifinals but even a loss will keep them among the top four. However, both teams have only two matches left. The previous match between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw after goals in the 89th and 90th minutes from Rene Mihelic and CK Vineeth respectively. But tomorrow, neither would be happy except a win and full points from this encounter.

"It was a tough schedule for us to play games and then recover for a day before jumping onto the plane again. We're delighted with the amount of points we've got from these last four matches. I didn't change the team that much so it has been a huge workload for them and says everything about my squad. We're where we are because of our work ethic. Now we come into this game with an unusual four-five days of rest and we are in very good shape," Chennaiyin head coach John Gregory said -- almost as if sounding a warning shot for Kerala.

But this is hardly the same Kerala side that they faced early on.

"They were struggling when we played them last time, individually and as a team. But with the new coach (David James) coming in with a positive attitude and has totally transformed the team," he said. 

James himself sounded pretty confident, and said that there were initial question marks when he joined Kerala for the second time in his career.

"The experience I had as a head coach was also a matter of question but from day one it was always about how Kerala Blasters is about everyone involved with the club and not just the players and the head coach. So without wanting to make it sound too easy, it was still easy to instill confidence in everyone with a support staff like mine," he said.

On the upcoming game, a crucial one at that, James said that he expected an energetic match.

"We expect them to win the game and get over the line. For us, we have to win the game and aim for six points (out of two games)," he said, intending that both sides will certainly go on an all out attack. 

ATK hurt Kerala’s chances with 2-2 draw

Kolkata: Bulgarian football legend Dimitar Berbatov scored his first goal in the Hero Indian Super League for Kerala Blasters FC but it counted for little in the end as the visitors were held 2-2 by ATK at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata, on Thursday.

Kerala Blasters twice took the lead, first through Gudjon Baldvinsson (33 minutes) and then through Dimitar Berbatov (55 minutes) but goals from Ryan Taylor (38 minutes) and Tom Thorpe (75 minutes) helped cancel the leads.

The draw helped ATK arrest their four losses in a row and secured the first point for interim coach Ashley Westwood but doesn’t help their chances of qualification. ATK now have 13 points from 14 matches and have seen their chances of qualification go up in smoke.

Kerala Blasters will also be disappointed with the point. They have temporarily displaced FC Goa from the sixth spot with 21 points compared to FC Goa’s 20, but have played three extra matches.

The clash between last year’s finalists, now struggling in this edition of the Hero ISL, started tentatively and sprang to life only towards the later half of the first 45 minutes. Kerala Blasters were the first to break the deadlock in the 33rd minute as Baldvinsson found the mark.

A good cross in the danger zone from Prasanth saw Baldvinsson jump highest and head towards goal where it hit the shoulder of ATK defender Jordi Montel and sailed past the goalkeeper.

ATK needed five minutes to get on level scores as they capitalised on a defensive lapse. Milan Singh tried to play the ball forward but it was intercepted by Taylor. He then took his time and picked his spot as the ball deflected off Lalruatthara and sailed past Kerala goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury.

The teams were tied 1-1 at half time and Kerala once again took the lead when play resumed in the second session. It was former Manchester United forward Berbatov who gave them the lead with his first goal of the season. Jackichand Singh’s free-kick was flicked on by Nemanja Lakic-Pesic and fell to Berbatov on top of the box. The Bulgarian sharpshooter connected neatly and picked the bottom left corner of the goal for a classy finish.

It seemed like Berbatov’s goal would be enough for Kerala Blasters but ATK hit back with the equaliser in the 74th minute after going close on a couple of occasions.

Taylor's corner was first cleared by the Kerala defence but the ball traveled back to the flank where Taylor sent in another measured cross which Thorpe did well to connect from inside a crowded goalmouth.

In the end, ATK managed to hold on to that draw and won their first point in five matches, while Kerala were left to rue a final chance in the final minute when Thorpe cleared Baldvinsson’s attempt on the goalline.

Vineeth’s last-gasp stunner gives Kerala full points

Pune: C K Vineeth scored a last-gasp winner that would be talked about long after this edition of the Hero Indian Super League draws to a close as Kerala Blasters got the better of FC Pune City 2-1 at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune, on Friday.

Kerala Blasters head coach David James had said that his team would need to win every game left in the season to stand any chance of making the semifinals and they duly delivered, thanks to goals from Jackichand Singh and Vineeth.

While Jackichand’s goal had class written all over it in the 58th minute and gave Kerala the lead, it was Vineeth who grabbed the limelight with a goal in added time after Emiliano Alfaro had drawn level for the hosts in the 78th minute.

With the scores locked at 1-1, and the clock ticking down towards the final whistle, Courage Pekuson's long ball was chested down by Vineeth outside the box and hit on the swivel with immense power to beat Vishal Kaith - a stunning goal from a man who has been Kerala's saviour so many times.

After a barren first session, the second half turned out to be quite eventful which saw three goals and Pune’s Brazilian striker Marcelinho hitting the post twice. The Hero of the Match twice hit the post with venomous attempts and then drew a brilliant save from goalkeeper Subhashish Roy Chowdhury. Kerala will argue that Marcelinho shouldn't have been on the pitch after a two-footed lunge on Prasanth went punished with only a yellow card. 

The man who got sent off, however, was Pune City coach Ranko Popovic for a confrontation with the fourth official.

For Kerala’s opening goal, Jackichand controlled a ball outside the area and unleashed a pile-driver from outside the area to beat Vishal Kaith's outstretched dive.

Emiliano Alfaro equalised in the 78th minute from the spot after the Uruguayan striker was through on goal and Kerala goalkeeper Subhasish came off his line to smother the ball. The attacker went down under the challenge and the referee pointed to the spot. 

Alfaro aimed for the bottom corner and made no mistake in scoring his seventh goal of the season. 

It seemed like the match would end in a draw until Vineeth came up with a blinder of a goal.

The loss keeps Pune (22 points from 13 matches) in the playoff spots but three points for Kerala Blasters mean they go into fifth position with 20 points from 14 matches. They have displaced FC Goa (19 points) from the fourth position but have played three additional matches.

Kerala look to exploit Pune’s imbalance

Pune: David James' return to Kerala Blasters FC saw a three-match unbeaten run at the start, but that was punctured by back-to-back defeats before his side recovered to get all three points against Delhi Dynamos in the Hero Indian Super League. 

It has been a bit of a roller-coaster ride for the Englishman and his team's fans as they look to overhaul a two-point gap to the top four. The only issue is that the Kerala Blasters have played more games than any of the teams in contention for a place in the semifinal and will now face the daunting task of beating high-flying FC Pune City at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune, on Friday. 

Pune are themselves dreaming of the possibility to make the Hero ISL playoffs for the first time ever, and have the momentum with two wins out of two and a healthy return of just one defeat in their last six games. Ranko Popovic's side are dangerous on the counter, lethal on the finish and have the second-best defence in the league with just 12 goals conceded.

Kerala Blasters FC captain Sandesh Jhingan and head coach David James
 know that there is scope for any slip-ups now

"The defeat to FC Goa was tough and left us in a position where we had to win six games in a row so the Delhi win was very important. Confidence in the players was good and it put us one step ahead in the quest to win the remaining games," said James.

James was asked what he thought of Pune goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, who has kept four cleansheets in nine appearances, making 21 saves in the process. "He's a talented young man and there are some things which he is very good at and there are some things about him that we will look to take advantage of tomorrow," said the former England international.

He also said that star signing Dimitar Berbatov "looked fantastic in training" and did not respond to questions over other transfer targets. 

Pune City can go top of the table provisionally if they beat Kerala Blasters. The free-scoring side have Marcelo Pereira and Emiliano Alfaro in good form and it will be hard to stop them. Popovic however, while happy, is not completely satisfied with his side and demanded more.

"It's good if people are talking (about our performances) but I have always maintained that we need to balance both attack and defence to do well. So yes, we are on a good way, but we are not yet good - we are trying. In football, you have to repeat week after week that what is behind us is nice - but it's about the future now," he said.

Popovic also admitted that he doesn't like making many changes to his side. Alfaro has played all 12 games so far and the head coach said that he will only rest him if it is necessary for the player to rest. So far, that hasn't happened, so Popovic will continue fielding him. However, he said that there were some niggles and he may be forced to rotate his squad.

Kerala Blasters will hope that these changes work in their favour as they embark on yet another tough fixture.

Teenager Deependra gives Kerala crucial win

Kochi: Kerala Blasters came back from behind to register a 2-1 win over Delhi Dynamos FC at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, on Saturday. The home side desperately needed the three points to keep their hopes for a top-four place alive in the Hero Indian Super League and are now placed fifth with 17 points.

Kalu Uche gave Miguel Angel Portugal's side the lead from the spot but Kerala Blasters found an unlikely hero in 19-year-old teenager, Deependra Singh Negi, who scored one and played a big part in his team’s second after the change of ends.

Delhi Dynamos started on the front foot and after testing Kerala Blasters goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury a couple of times early on, they deservedly took the lead in the 35th minute. 

Deependra Singh Negi

Prasanth Karuthadathkuni's clumsy push on Seityasen Singh in his own box gave the referee a good reason to point to the spot. Kalu Uche took the responsibility and calmly slotted the ball past Chowdhury.

Even after going a goal down, there was little reaction from the home side, and Delhi could have doubled their lead but Chowdhury came to his side’s rescue with a fingertip save to keep Mathias Mirabaje’s dipping shot out.

Not happy with his team's performance, Kerala Blasters coach David James introduced 19-year-old teenager, Deependra Singh Negi early in the second half. It turned out to be a masterstroke. 

Barely minutes after coming on for his ISL debut, Negi brought the home side on level terms. In the 48th minute, Jackichand Singh’s corner was met by the youngster at the near post and it took a deflection of a Delhi player before going into the net.

The goal gave Kerala a much need boost and they pushed on. Negi could have given the home side the lead 10 minutes later when Lalruatthara Lalruatthara’s cross from the right found him in the box. But he could only direct the ball wide of the post under pressure from defenders.

As the game progressed, there were chances created at either ends as both sides pushed for a winner. For Delhi, a couple of those chances fell to their main man Kalu Uche, but the big Nigerian failed to make them count. At the other end, Negi again stepped up for his side and won a penalty in the 75th minute. 

Pratik Chowdhary’s lunging tackle brought the youngster down inside the box and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty for the second time in the game. Iain Hume did the rest from the spot to give the home side the lead much to the delight of their supporters.

Blasters look to keep nothing to chance

Kochi: The appointment of David James as the head coach at the turn of the year, brought a fresh resurgence to Kerala Blasters in the Hero Indian Super League. The former England goalkeeper oversaw two wins and a draw in his first three games in charge but after having suffered two consecutive defeats in their last two games against Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa, the pressure is back on the 'Yellow Army' and more so on the coach who replaced former Manchester United A team Dutch coach Rene Meulensteen. 

The Blasters are currently seventh in the league standings with 14 points from their 12 games, and desperately need a win against Delhi Dynamos when the two sides meet at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Saturday to keep their hopes of making it to the top four places alive. 

"Obviously, it's not a position we wanted to be in at the start of the season. We have been watching games and hoping there are wins for the teams below us so that it gives us a chance to catch up with teams above us on the table.  But it's simple, we have got six games in hand, we plan to win all of them. But that still might not be enough," James told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

To strengthen their chances, Kerala Blasters have also signed Icelandic striker Gudjon Baldvinsson to replace Dutch striker Mark Sifneos, who was released from the club earlier this week. "With the loss of Mark (Sifineos) to injury, Gudjon is someone who gives a different option going forward. He is an accomplished player in Iceland," James said.

KBFC coach David James a tough task in hand

The Kerala Blasters coach also hinted that the club may sign few more players before the January transfer window closes. "With the transfer window still open, there is a chance to bring in few more players to replace some of the injured players in the current team. The work is not quite finished," he added.

For Delhi Dynamos, who have been languishing at the bottom of the ISL points table, a place in the top four may be out of reach already but they still have a lot to play for. "For us, there is not much chance of making it to the top four now," Delhi Dynamos head coach, Miguel Angel Portugal conceded at the pre-match pre-conference. But the Spanish tactician added that his side will want to win the remaining games to finish the season on a high. 

And for the game against Kerala, there will be added determination in his side after having suffered a 3:1 loss to them at home in the first leg played earlier in the month. Talking about Kerala Portugal said, "There mentality has changed with the appointment of a new coach. It's an important game for both of us." 

Mumbai up against a resurgent Blasters

Mumbai: Mumbai City FC will welcome a resurgent Kerala Blasters when they take on the visitors from South at the Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday night. The two teams are separated by just three points at the halfway stage of Hero Indian Super League, and Kerala's new head coach David James has not yet lost a game since his return to the club. 

Mumbai City are also in a rich vein of form - unbeaten in three games with two of those being victories. But their head coach Alexandre Guimarães believes that its a different side they'll be facing when compared to team which drew 1-1 against them in early December this season.

"A new coach shakes up everyone - those being left on the bench, those starting, everyone. They have won a very important game away and it has made them alive and that is a warning for us that we cannot give them any chances. They also have a new foreign player who gives them something different. This is a team which will travel energised," he said, referring to new signing Keziron Kuzito, who has made a good start to life in Indian football.

That said, Guimarães was confident of his side's ability and said that half of their season's mission was complete.

"Our first goal of the season was to finish close to the playoff spots at the halfway stage and I think we've accomplished that. This has put us in a good situation to continue to compete and we hope that we can make the most from run of home games now. I am very confident that we have the resources and the players to fight till the end and be in the top four - that is for sure," he said.

He added that he was curious to see how his side will penetrate the organised defence line of the Blasters. As for the Blasters, their head coach David James said that Mumbai were at a slight advantage with the extra rest they have had - and that meant for work for the physios to get his side ready for games in quick succession. He also said that Mumbai City will present a very different challenge compared to Delhi Dynamos, who Kerala beat 3-1 in their previous game.

"It was important that we were disciplined and showed no fear. We had to get the result, especially given the results around us. And that is what we have to do tomorrow. Mumbai have a different style of play compared to Delhi - we have to adapt ourselves to that style. Fortunately we have a good coaching staff and have had the opportunity to prepare. As much as the win was enjoyable against Delhi, this is about another away game and we still have to do some things right which we were not able to," he said.

Considering the nationwide support Blasters receive, James and company will certainly feel at home at the Mumbai Football Arena creating a good atmosphere for football, and will look to ride on it to turn their season around.

Rejuvenated Blasters’ hope for a show in Lion’s den

Ian Hume with coach David James

Delhi Dynamos started the season with a bang, beating FC Pune City 3-2 in their opening match. But that was way back on 22nd November. In the seven matches played since then, they have lost six and drawn one - and find themselves rock bottom in the Hero Indian Super League table. Another club that wasn't expected to be caught in the quagmire of the bottom three is Kerala Blasters, but they are in 8th - a disappointing start has seen them recall David James as head coach. His first job will be to secure a victory after a run of three matches without one.  

The Dynamos continue to hog possession and stitch up good passing play - but their failure to win has left fans exasperated. Whether the excuse of good performances with nothing to show for it will stand the test of time will be interesting. 

"Kerala are strong in defence and very experienced. They are compact and difficult to break down. But it is also difficult for them against us," Dynamos’ head coach Miguel Angel Portugal said.  

"At home it is most important that we win. I think we have an opportunity to win. A point is important for confidence though," he added before mentioning that he realised a new coach was in the mix with James coming in.

"I know about David James as a goalkeeper for England. I don't know about him as a manager," he added with a chuckle. 

James meanwhile, sounded confident and praised the depth of the Kerala Blasters side. He did mention that there will be late fitness tests for some, but at the same time, said that all the players were available as far as he was concerned. 

"My first job it to familiarise myself with the players. There could be a tendency to watch differently than as a fan. I would be disappointed if we didn't get the results. We have to get results as quickly as possible. I'm confident, players are confident and that is good for me and it is a challenge," he said.

Kerala have traditionally been late bloomers in the league and have even managed to make it to the playoffs with a negative goal difference in the past. In James' first game last week against Pune City, a more direct approach was seen and he even took off Dimitar Berbatov to suit his style of play.  

This will be a battle of huge consequences with both teams struggling as the League is approaching its half way mark. The pressure will certainly be on - as after the 90 minutes of game on Wednesday, both sides could get into panic situation.

David James keeps the faith in Kerala’s title-winning ability

Kochi: Kerala Blasters FC’s newly-appointed coach David James believes he can replicate his first season’s performance with the team and guide them to the final of the Hero Indian Super League. 

The former England goalkeeper spent a year at Kerala Blasters as marquee player-manager during the inaugural edition in 2014 and took the team to the final where they were unfortunate to lose at the death against Atletico de Kolkata, now ATK. 

He has now returned to the club for a second stint following the departure of Rene Meulensteen and, despite having just eight points after eight matches, James still believes this team can go far in the ISL. 

“I might be a fan of Kerala Blasters, but I am not stupid. If I didn’t think the squad was capable, I wouldn’t have come,” James said after his side managed a 1-1 draw against FC Pune City in his first game in-charge. 

“I joined the club on the basis that we have a good squad capable of winning ISL,” the former England goalkeeper told reporters during the post-match media interaction. 

The former Blasters’ marquee player-cum-manager feels the club has the best fans he has witnessed and is happy to be back in the league which is growing rapidly. 

“The league is gaining popularity every passing season, and I am happy to be back at my former club having the best fans. 

“It’s been a turbulent 48 hours for the club and myself. I just got here. We didn’t have much of training, instead we spoke to each other and put the set pieces for the game,” said the former England No1. 

James described his first match opponents as the best in the league and was happy with his side’s second-half comeback. 

“Pune showed their quality. On another day, we would have won the game. We played that well in the second-half against the best team in the league,” he said.

Kerala Blasters look to get campaign back on track

Kerala Blasters Players in practice session

Kochi: Kerala Blasters will be without their chief coach Rene Meulensteen, who they have already parted ways with mutually, but the hosts will not be short on motivation as they host FC Pune City in the Hero Indian Super League at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, on Thursday.

The home side are manager less after Rene Meulensteen and the club mutually decided to part ways. Meulensteen, who had famously assisted Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, was brought in the summer to guide the last year's finalist to the title this time around. But a run of unfavourable results led to his early departure.     

With just one win from their first seven games, Kerala Blasters FC are struggling for form this season, but with their loyal fans throwing their weight behind the team a turnaround cannot be ruled out.

"Well, when the season started every team wanted to do well. So did we. But the results are there for everyone to see. But we are Kerala Blasters; we have the best fans. So, for now the most important thing is tomorrow's game and get a right result for the fans," Kerala Blasters FC assistant coach Thangboi Singto said during the pre-match media interaction.

Coming out on the wrong side of two consecutive Southern derbies didn't help Meulensteen cause as Kerala drew against Chennaiyin FC and lost to Bengaluru FC. 

Despite the departure of their high-profile coach, Kerala Blasters are likely to stick to the same strategy.

"In terms of our planning, we have to do what we have been doing. But what is most important is to score and not concede.  They are all professional players and they know how it works," said Singto.

While Kerala are facing trouble both on and off the pitch, things couldn't have been any different for Ranko Popovic's FC Pune City.

Pune's away form has been spectacular this season and they are coming into this fixture on the back of two great results against FC Goa and North East United. But Vladica Grujic, FC Pune City assistant coach, said his side will show no complacency 

"Every game is difficult. Maybe they are not in a good shape at the moment. We will have to concentrate on our game and not take anything lightly," he said.

Pune will miss their coach Ranko Popovic who is serving a four-match ban.


Tags: Kerala Blasters , Rene Meulensteen, FC Pune City , Hero Indian Super League, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, Alex Ferguson ,Manchester United, Bengaluru FC, Ranko Popovic