Toothless attack and Lucky defences makes their second meeting a battle of equals
Kerala Blasters will play their reverse fixture against Mumbai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium
Kochi: A Nicolas Anelka freekick was the only difference when Mumbai City FC hosted Kerala Blasters in the Hero Indian Super League nine days ago. Revenge will be in the air for the Blasters when the reverse fixture plays out at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here in Kochi on Wednesday.
Both sides have had strikingly similar performances since they last met a 1-0 victory followed by a 0-0 scoreline and they also have comparable problems — a toothless attack and lucky defences, which makes their second meeting a battle of equals.
It is also significant in terms of deciding the standings as Mumbai will top the table pipping league leaders Atletico de Kolkata by a point should they win in Kochi, whereas three points will see the home side break into the top four for the first time. Blasters’ coach David James has said he was frustrated after his side lost ‘two points’ against Delhi on Sunday but has constantly stressed on a turnaround.
Scot Stephen Pearson who has paid rich dividends since switching position from the left wing to the centre-midfield is the lynchpin of the Blasters. Kerala will continue to miss the services of striker Michael Chopra, midfielder Mehtab Hossain and Spaniard Victor Forcada.
Meanwhile, Mumbai are weakened by the probable absence of top scorer Andre Moritz who pulled a hamstring against Goa on Sunday while marquee player Freddie Ljungberg who was injured ahead of the tournament continues to miss out.
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