ISL 3: Classic battle on cards, ATK to have first away clash against Kerala

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Classic battle on cards, ATK to have first away clash against Kerala | Image: XtraTime

Internet Desk : After a hard fought 2-2 stalemate against Chennaiyin FC, Jose Molina’s Atletico de Kolkata is up against Kerala Blasters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Wednesday. This particular fixture has intrigued almost the entire country right from the inception of the Hero Indian Super League because it’s not just a couple of franchises battling out against each other but a couple of franchises owned by two of the nation’s cricketing stalwarts- Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly- which lock horns to ensure an enthralling date since the past couple of years.

Neither of the teams has made the start that they would’ve wanted to in this year’s Hero ISL. While Kerala Blasters succumbed to a 1-0 defeat in their opening match against North East United, Atletico de Kolkata could only salvage a draw against the defending champions, Chennaiyin FC at their home ground.

Team News

Kerala Blasters: Kerala Blaster’s Head Coach, Steve Coppell wasn’t particularly satisfied about the performance of his side against North East United FC. He insisted that his team must play more lively football if it wants to qualify for the last four stage of the 2016 edition of the Hero Indian Super League.

“We kept giving the ball away. It was may be first night nerves, may be just playing away from home,” he told the press. However, he later added, “Obviously we have to be better in front of our own supporters. We have to keep the ball better. It’s important that we have possession of the ball.”

Atletico de Kolkata: ATK Head Coach, Jose Molina who- despite a 2-2 draw- was quite satisfied with the performance of his side against the defending champions at home doesn’t believe in change of tactics whenever playing an away match.

“Football is the same whether you play at home or away. The plan is the same and we will try to have possession, try to fight, try to defend and try to win in the end. We do not have any different strategy (for Kerala Blasters),” Molina told the press.

That being said, Atletico de Kolkata is likely to miss the services of its Botswanian defensive midfielder, Ofentse Nato as he is yet to recover from his injury ahead of the Kerala Blasters fixture.

Head-to-Head Record

Total matches: 5
Atletico de Kolkata: 3
Draw: 1
Kerala Blasters: 1

Full Squad

Kerala Blasters: Head Coach: Steve Coppell, Goalkeepers: Graham Stack, Sandip Nandy, Kunal Sawant and Mohammad Ansari,Defenders: Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart, Sandesh Jhingan, Gurwinder Singh and Pratik Chaudhary, Midfielders: Elhadji Ndoye, Josu Currais, Didier Boris Kadio, Azrack Mahamat, Mehtab Hossain, Mohammed Rafique, Ishfaq Ahmed and Vinit Rai, Forwards: Michael Chopra, Antonio German, Kervens Belfort, Duckens Nazon, Mohammed Rafi, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Farukh Chaudhary and Prasanth Karuthadathkuni.

Atletico de Kolkata: Head Coach: Jose Francisco Molina, Goalkeepers: Shilton Paul, Debjit Majumder and Dani Mallo Castro, Defenders: Tiri, Arnab Mondal, Pritam Kotal, Keegan Pereira, Kinshuk Debnath, Prabir Das, Pablo Gallardo and Robert Lalthlamuana, Midfielders: Borja Fernandez, Ofentse Nato, Javier Lara Grande, Sameehg Doutie, Stephen Pearson, Bikash Jairu, Bikramjit Singh, Lalrindika Ralte, Sheikh Jewel Raja, Abhinash Ruidas and Bidyananda Singh and Forwards: Helder Postiga, Iain Hume and Juan Belencoso.

Key Battles

Arnab Mondal (ATK) vs. Antonio German (Kerala Blasters):

Arnab Mondal’s performance against the defending champions, Chennaiyin FC at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata which took place last Sunday was simply exemplary. The 27-year-old Indian international’s performance will be a key factor if Atletico de Kolkata want to leave Kochi with three points in its kitty.

Kerala Blasters forward, Antonio German had consistently set the ISL stage ablaze last year. The 24-year-old English forward had scored six goals along with three assists in the nine appearances that he had made last season.

Iain Hume (ATK) vs. Sandesh Jhingan (Kerala Blasters):

Atletico de Kolkata’s Canadian goal-machine, Iain Hume has resumed the 2016 Hero ISL season right from where he left it last year. The former Leicester City forward confidently netted a penalty in the dying hours of ATK’s opening match against Chennaiyin FC last Sunday to ensure a 2-2 draw for his side. There is no dilemma about the fact that the 32-year-old will want to keep his scoring spree up and going against Coppell’s Kerala Blasters.

Sandesh Jhingan had made his mark in the inaugural season of the Hero Indian Super League itself when he was voted the league’s emerging player despite his team finishing as the runners-up. The tall, powerful, intimidating Kerala Blasters centre-back had committed an impressive tally of 68 successful tackles and 44 successful interceptions last season.

Odds

The odds are 55-45 in favor of Kerala Blasters FC due to home advantage.