Kochi: Kerala Blasters will be cautious of Chennaiyin FC’s flawless record against them as the Indian Super League table toppers pay a visit for the first leg of the semi-final here on Saturday. As the semi-finals are home and away, the Blasters are keen to have a shutdown as away goals are decisive should the aggregate after the return leg in Chennai on Tuesday end in a draw.
“Sometimes you can’t stop goals. It would be a lie if I say we can stop them from scoring. But we have good defensive players and we have conceded the least goals this season. We are a difficult team to play against,” said Blasters’ assistant coach Trevor Morgan.
Chennaiyin dented Kerala’s home record when their Brazilian midfielder Bruno Pelissari sprinted close to 60 metres and curled the winner in the November 30 clash.
It was Kerala’s only defeat in their seven home matches and Chennaiyin are just the second team after Atletico de Kolkata to deny the hosts a clean sheet in Kochi.While Kerala are banking on defence, Chennai are bolstered by the return of Elano Blumer, the race leader for the golden boot with eight goals, also a shrewd dead ball specialist.
As Kerala focus on maintaining discipline at the back, they are aware of Chennaiyin’s Achilles heel a leaky defence. En route to the top, while Chennaiyin accumulated the most goals (24) they also let it the 20, just one short of eliminated Mumbai City.
