KOCHI: David James is homesick. The former England goalkeeper who was the marquee player-manager when Kerala Blasters played the ISL final in the inaugural edition has been intently following the team he once passionately managed, throughout their current campaign. Back in England as a television pundit, but never missing any of the action in ISL, James has been busy on social media, tweeting and retweeting an array of posts related to the Blasters.
"Get in there Kerala Blasters," posted the former goalie. "A chance to beat Atletico de Kolkata in the final after a superb victory on pens!" he urged his former teammates following their thrilling semifinal victory in Delhi. The ex-Liverpool custodian is not the only former player who has got behind the yellow wall on its second attempt at the ISL title. Midfielder Joao Coimbra, who was part of the Blasters' second season, making 11 appearances and scoring a goal in their disastrous campaign, has also rallied behind his old team.
The Portuguese, who talks highly of the atmosphere in Kochi, has been closely tracking his former side's progress in the league. "Very happy for all Kerala family. Congratulations," he wrote on Kerala's passage to the final. "Boom! Into the final, at Kerala, it's written in the stars for Kerala Blasters. One more step to glory! Congrats to you all. Now win it!", tweeted Peter Ramage, Kerala's captain in the second season. Other former players such as Colin Falvey, Sanchez Watt, Raphael Romey and Andrew Barisic also shared their memories about Kochi at different times during the ongoing season.
