KOCHI: With one foot already in playoffs, Kerala Blasters would be hoping to assure their place among the top six teams in season-10 of the Indian Super League with a win over East Bengal in their final home league engagement at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Wednesday night.
Blasters, known for their robust all-Indian midfield, have shown commendable skill in controlling the game’s pace and possession. However, they have not been able to translate their midfield dominance into effective attacks in the final third, an area the coaching staff, led by Ivan Vukomanovic, is keen to address.
With a demanding schedule ahead, including an upcoming match against NorthEast United FC in Guwahati, Vukomanovic has indicated the likelihood of rotating key players to maintain the team’s competitive edge and manage fatigue among the squad. “We will probably have to rotate five or six players tomorrow because a couple of hours after the match, we have to fly to Guwahati. As a coach, you try to find fresh legs, fresh people who can respond in front of our fans and hopefully get a good result”, said Vukomanovic.
A victory over East Bengal would mark a historic achievement for the Blasters, as it would be the first time they secure a league double over the Kolkata giants in ISL history. However, to realize this goal, strengthening the defence will be crucial for Blasters. The Kerala side have conceded at least one goal in their last seven matches, underscoring a vulnerability that East Bengal could potentially exploit.
On the other hand, East Bengal finds themselves in a period of transition, blending young talents with experienced players to forge a competitive team. Despite their near bottom position in the league standings, Kolkata side has demonstrated resilience and a capacity to rally from behind, traits that will be vital in their quest for a win against Blasters. With three matches remaining, East Bengal still has a mathematical chance to qualify for the playoffs.
However, the visitors’ recent form has been woeful as they have arrived in Kochi after three consecutive losses.
East Bengal would be counting on their aerial strength to neutralise the threat from Blasters. “I’m very happy to play against Blasters. We stick to our plan and we are determined to get all three points. We’ve seen how they played their last game and have developed a plan accordingly. We’ll just go for the win,” said East Bengal assistant coach Bino George.
