Kochi: Last edition finalists Kerala Blasters and Atletico de Kolkata take on each other in a ninth round match of the Indian Super League here on Tuesday.
Both the sides have been struggling this season with ATK lying at sixth and Kerala at the bottom in the eight-team ISL standings.
ATK have three points from the last five matches while Kerala have collected four points from the last five matches.
Despite the revival after the induction of new head coach Terry Phelan, Kerala find themselves placed at the bottom of the table with four points
It’s not an ideal situation for both teams but as they face each other in a crucial clash tomorrow, they are aware that they can still turn it around.
“Every game is a big game. Every game we go into we have to go into it with the right attitude. We will be going into this game with the right attitude to get three points.”
” If you can manage two or three wins, it will propel you to the top half. We are very confident that we can go out there and grab the three points,” said Phelan.
Kerala will be encouraged by their performance in the last game where they easily beat FC Pune City, who were leading the table at that time.
There is not much separating all the eight teams and Kerala assistant coach Trevor Morgan said they were very much in the race for a place in the semifinals.
“It’s not where we are that counts. In three weeks, we could be in a completely different position. One or two wins can propel a team higher up.”
“At the moment, no team is pulling away. There is no huge gap. There is a seven point gap between top and bottom which can be turned around with two wins,” explained Morgan.
ATK are also facing tough times and have been hampered due to injuries to marquee player Helder Postiga, captain Josemi and midfielder Javi Lara.
“We have had three very important players injured. It’s too much of a problem for the team. I have confidence in my players and we have to work every day,” said head coach Antonio Habas.
“Both of us have been in similar positions this season. Kerala wants to win right now and we also want to win. Both of us need a win but we have the time to cover the position in the league.”
” We have to be calm and not be nervous. Being nervous cannot get you anything,” said Habas, whose team lost to NorthEast United FC in their previous match. (PTI)
