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ISL: Depleted Bengaluru FC renew rivalry with Kerala Blasters

ISL: Stakes are not really high when Bengaluru FC renew their rivalry with Kerala Blasters in their last league game of the Indian Super League.

Bengaluru FC's Sunil Chhetri during a training session

Bengaluru, February 28: Stakes are not really high when Bengaluru FC renew their rivalry with Kerala Blasters in their last league game of the Indian Super League at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Thursday (March 1).

ISL fixtures | Results | Points table

The last time these two sides met, on New Year's Eve, Bengaluru FC walked away with three points after streamrolling past their rivals 3-1. This time though, leaders Bengaluru FC are eight points clear of their nearest rivals FC Pune City and have already made the ISL playoffs.

Goa rule out KeralaGoa rule out Kerala

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The game has no meaning for Kerala Blasters as they fell out of the contention for semifinals following FC Goa's 5-1 win over ATK.

However, fifth-placed Kerala Blasters, who are on 25 points, target a top-six finish to qualify directly for the Super Cup in April. The Super Cup, replacing the Federation Cup, will feature the top teams from the I-League and ISL vying for bragging rights

Given Bengaluru FC will field a weakened defence line-up, Blasters can fancy their chances. "You know that I will be without my two central defenders - John Johnson and Juanan Gonzalez - as they picked up their fourth yellow and are suspended for one game," Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca told reporters on Wednesday (February 28). "So it's difficult to talk about preparations for sure as our important players are out. But we want to keep winning since it's the last game of the league phase. That's on my mind - to be strong when the playoffs are here. Harmanjot Khabra is also out injured and we recently sold an important midfielder - Edu Garcia. All these things make tomorrow's game a difficult one for us."

Kerala Blasters coach David James admitted things are looking difficult for his team because of their previous result - a 0-0 draw with Chennaiyin FC.

Although the Blasters are on a five-game unbeaten run, two of them have been draws and James wished his team could have turned one of those into a win.

"We are five games unbeaten and have six wins. We thought it's enough to qualify for the playoffs and there were a few cheers when Mumbai City were out of the race yesterday after losing to Delhi Dynamos," James said. "We're giving it our best go. We have two draws in those five games. I would have preferred one loss and a win, but it's good to say we're unbeaten. The mission was to qualify but if not, we'll like to be one of the top-six so that we qualify directly for the Super Cup."


Familiar faces

Kerala Blasters captain Sandesh Jhingan was a Bengaluru FC player in the 2016/17 season

Manjappada and the sea of yellow

A group of about 4,000 travelling fans are expected at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium for the match between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters

Hume out for Blasters

Dependable striker Iain Hume will miss the game as he's still recuperating from an injury.

Electric atmosphere

Coach Albert Roca asks Bengaluru FC fans to not go overboard when the team takes on Kerala Blasters.

Housefull

No more tickets available for the Bengaluru FC-Kerala Blasters game!

Enviable record

Bengaluru FC are eight points clear of second-placed FC Pune City.


A sold-out crowd is expected at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium with more than 4,000 travelling fans making the trip from Kerala. While the atmosphere will definitely be electric, coaches of both teams advised their fans to keep the banter appropriate.

"I will like the players to play a good game and the fans to enjoy the show. Banter has to be there - that's what football is about. The rivalry between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters is good for Indian football. Let's shout and share the emotions but in a good way. Support your teams in the right way," Roca said.

James, on his part, said he's aware that his fans are expecting a positive result after the Chennaiyin FC draw. "This game will be like the one we played against ATK and NorthEast United FC. A large travelling contingent is expected and I hope we can put a smile on their faces," he added.


Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters

Indian Super League

Live from Sree Kanteerava Stadium

At 8 pm (March 1)

On Star Sports 2 and Hotstar

Story first published: Wednesday, February 28, 2018, 22:57 [IST]
Other articles published on Feb 28, 2018