KOCHI: The games between Kerala Blasters and Chennaiyin FC have always been closely fought. Going by the formbook, Blasters should have it easy against the visitors in the southern derby at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Wednesday.
The Kerala side are on a roll with three successive wins and are second in ISL standings, behind leaders FC Goa on goal difference. Chennaiyin, on the other hand, are struggling to find rhythm and have managed just two wins out of seven matches.
But football is not always about the formbook and Chennai have the capability to defy Blasters in their fortress, where they have won four out of five games this season.
“I expect a very tough and physical game with many duels tomorrow. It is the type of game that has always happened between these two teams. The position of our team or that of our opponents now does not matter. Every game at home is tough since the opposition always want to show something extra,” Vukomanovic said on match eve.
Though injuries have plagued Blasters and they have missed the services of some key players, the coach should be happy with the way the support cast have risen to the occasion.
On the other hand, defensive frailties remain a concern for Owen Coyle. Though Chennaiyin scored eight goals from seven matches, they have conceded 13. And compounding to their worries will be the absence of defender Ryan Edwards, who will be missing the game after receiving the marching orders in Chennaiyin’s previous match against East Bengal.
“It’s going to be a great game. If I took myself back to being a player, this is the kind of game that you want to play. Kerala have been doing fantastic, all credit to them, they have a very good coach. Because they have had consistency with the same coach, building an infrastructure within the club, they have a clever sporting director, and they have set a fantastic plan for the team. We know the backing they have and that makes this game special,” Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle said.
