The Kochi-based side has managed to retain the coach and the core group of players for the new season and would be hoping to secure their maiden trophy in history.
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Last season’s runner-up Kerala Blasters FC will host East Bengal in the opening match of the 2022-23 Indian Super League (ISL) season at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday. The Blasters had an impressive campaign last term, where they reached all the way to the final before losing to Hyderabad FC on penalties in the title-decider. The Kochi-based side has managed to retain the coach and the core group of players for the new season and would be hoping to secure their maiden trophy in history. East Bengal, on the other hand, had a disastrous campaign last time out, where they finished at the bottom of the 11-team table and won only one of their 20 games.
𝙎𝙀𝙀 𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝙏𝙊𝙈𝙊𝙍𝙍𝙊𝙒! 🤩#HeroISL #LetsFootball #KeralaBlasters #SahalAbdulSamad | @KeralaBlasters pic.twitter.com/oYvYfdH8ob
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 6, 2022
Blasters, for the first time ever, will go into a new season with the same head coach as the last season in Ivan Vukomanovic. The Yellow Army have managed to retain the services of some of the key players from last term, that includes the likes of Adrian Luna, Sahal Abdul Samad, Rahul KP, Ruivah Hormipam, Jeakson Singh, Marko Leskovic and Harmanjot singh Khabra among others. Last season, Blasters had one of the meanest defenses in the league, having kept the maximum number of clean sheets (8), while conceding only 26 goals in 23 matches.
East Bengal, on the other hand, managed to collect just 11 points from 20 matches. Meanwhile, the Red and Golden Brigade have been unstoppable in the pre-season this term, having recorded victories against the likes of George Telegraph, Aryan, India U-20 and I-League outfit Real Kashmir. Former India head coach Stephen Constantine has been given the charge of the team, with Bino George to assist him. Constantine has deep knowledge about Indian football. Bino, who coached Kerala to the Santosh Trophy triumph last term, is one the best in the country and is expected to nurture local talent.
Blasters boss Vukomanovic is expected to opt for a 4-4-2 formation, with Puitea and Jeakson forming the midfield-duo. Sahal and Luna are expected to occupy the flanks, with new recruit Dimitrios Diamantakos and Bidyashagar Singh partnering up front. As for East Bengal, Cleiton Silva, who joined the club from Bengaluru FC could spearhead the attack, with Sumeet Passi in support. Last years’ ISL winner Souvik Chakraborti might partner Jordan O’Doherty in the engine room, with VP Suhair and Aniket Jadhav deployed on the flanks.
Kerala blasters probable starting lineup: Gill, Khabra, Leskovic, Hormipam, Carneiro, Sahal, Jeakson, Puitea, Luna, Diamantakos, Giannou
East Bengal probable starting lineup: Kamaljit, Rakip, Gonzalez, Lalchungnunga, Jerry, Jadhav, O’Doherty, Lima, Suhair, Silva, Passi
The Indian Super League match between Kerala blasters and East Bengal will take place at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on Friday at 7:30 pm IST.
For the football fans in India, live coverage of the Indian Super League matches will be available on Star Sports network. Besides, fans can live stream via Disney+Hotstar and the Jio TV app.
