Kerala fans to greet Materazzi with Zidane masks
Kochi: Their campaign back on track after a poor start, Kerala Blasters take on a struggling Chennaiyin FC in a southern derby match of the Indian Super League football match here on Saturday. Kerala did well to secure an important win against FC Goa in their last home clash and they are now at fifth spot in the league table with 12 points from nine matches.
Defending champions Chennaiyin on the other hand have slumped to the seventh spot after they suffered a 1-4 drubbing at the hands of Delhi Dynamos. They now have 10 points from eight matches.
The Tendulkar co-owned Kerala Blasters will have to put their best foot forward against Chennaiyin on Saturday as they have never won against their southern rivals. They have played five matches against Chennaiyin and have lost three while drawing the other two.
Chennaiyin head coach Marco Materazzi was suspended for “misconduct against opponents or persons other than match officials” and the atmosphere at JN Stadium is likely to be heated on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters fans will wear Zinedine Zidane mask during their club’s Indian Super League football match against Chennaiyin FC to greet the visiting coach Marco Materazzi here on Saturday.
There is no love lost between the two teams in the ISL since Kerala knocked out Chennnaiyin in the semi-finals of the first edition. There were plenty of commotion when the two teams clashed this season in Chennai, leading to suspension of Materazzi for “misconduct against opponents or persons other than match officials”.
The Italian World Cup winner can now expect a fiery reception when he arrives at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as almost 35,000 fans will greet him with Zinedine Zidane masks. Local fans already have the mask in place and will offer it to all those who are willing to wear. (PTI)