Kochi: On a high after an opening night win at home, Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) are set to pit their wits against Mumbai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday.
Buoyed by the vociferous home support, Kerala gave a good account of themselves against ATK and coach Eelco Schattorie will be hoping to make the maximum of their home advantage.
Kerala generally tend to do well, if they perform well at home. In 2014 and 2016, when they reached the play-offs, they had a strong home record (KBFC lost just one home game in both seasons).
Mumbai have an air of surprise around them, given that they haven’t played till now while Kerala have already given Jorge Costa an opportunity to analyse them. Schattorie felt that while it is an advantage for the visitors, he is not particularly worried. Mumbai manager Jorge Costa, however, said he saw what he expected from Kerala in their match. Mumbai will look towards the likes of Paulo Machado and Modou Sougou, key figures behind the team’s run to the play-offs last season, to drive the team. They have several key Indian midfielders in Rowllin Borges and Raynier Fernandes who will be expected to set the tempo for the team from the middle of the park.
The Islanders will also bank on the firepower they have with new recruits Serge Kevyn and Amine Chermiti boosting their attacking arsenal. Kerala’s defensive duo of Gianni Zuiverloon and Jairo Rodrigues will have their hands full on Thursday. Kerala do have a bit of a fitness concern after influential midfielder Mario Arques was taken off injured in the last game. He will miss Thursday’s match. (IANS)
