Kerala Blasters will take on Jamshedpur FC in the Indian super League (ISL) semi-final first leg clash at Fatorda Stadium on Friday.
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Kerala Blasters will take on Jamshedpur FC in the Indian super League (ISL) semi-final first leg clash at Fatorda Stadium on Friday. The Yellow army finished their league campaign at the fourth spot, with a dramatic 4-4 draw against FC Goa in their last league match. Meanwhile Jamshedpur defeated ATk Mohun Bagan 1-0 in the last league match of the season to clinch the ISL Winner’s Shield. Blasters have failed to secure a win in either of their meetings with the Red Miners in the league stage.
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— K e r a l a B l a s t e r s F C (@KeralaBlasters) March 5, 2022
KBFC boss Ivan Vukomanovic and Jeakson Singh addressed the media ahead of their play-off clash. The Serbian tactician expects a tough game against the Men of Steel. Both sides have the best defence in the league having kept seven clean sheets each. Therefore, it could be a low scoring game.
On his expectations from the game, he said: “They are a physically tough team. The previous 20 games in the ISL are a thing of the past now. Its a new day and a new chapter. It’s going to be a good fight between the two sides considering the style of play we approach. Both teams will want to qualify. I don’t like the fact that we have to play two games but it will be an open fight.”
Blasters had an impressive start to the season, going ten games unbeaten before facing a slight slump after a Corona virus induced break. Although the Yellow Army struggled a little bit to get back their rhythm after returning from the break, they managed to secure the fourth spot and qualify for the play-offs courtesy of a dominant 3-1 win over last year’s champions Mumbai city FC.
Vukomanovic’s side are high on confidence having won two of their last three games. When asked about the team’s preparations, the coach said: “We’ve seen this year that anybody can beat anybody. When you are facing a tough team in this phase of the competition, small details can affect the course of the game.”
JFC play a more direct football with Greg Stewart at the centre of most of their attacks. The defence led by Peter Hartley and the two defensive midfielders Jitu singh and Pronay Halder do a solid job therefore allowing the front-four to play freely.
Most of their goals come from set-pieces and counter-attacks. But Ivan feels focusing on one or two things cannot give you the desired results. He said: “In these kinds of games, you cannot focus on one or two specific details. You have to be ready and explore all kinds of possibilities and utilize them.”
