The Hero Indian Super League’s (ISL) all-time leading goal scorer Iain Hume returned to Kerala Blasters FC in the 2017-18 edition to add more firepower to the club from where his footballing journey in India began. Being in the top five goal scorers list in each of the previous three seasons, the Canadian had quite ably guided his team to the semi-final stage in all three. After two seasons with defending champions ATK, with whom he lifted the Hero ISL trophy in 2016, he returned to Kerala once again. But with injuries keeping him out, he only found the back of the net five times all season. This is the first time ever that Hume will miss out on playing in the semi-finals as Kerala failed to make it to the top-four. 

A league veteran himself, Hume has had ample experience of the kind of pressure that a semi-final brings. “There’s obviously an added pressure with playoff matches and it’s ultimately the ones who don’t let that get to them that push through to the finals and lift the trophy. Pressure does play a part and coping with it is what essentially separates Champions,” he remarked in an exclusive chat with indiansuperleague.com. 

The Hero ISL semi-finals will be played over two legs – home and away – between the top four teams. Having made it to two finals over the course of three seasons, Hume highlighted how important a first-leg advantage is for the players and the team. “In the last three seasons, our first leg matches have pretty much decided who’s going through and that was without the ‘away goal’ rule. So, it’s going to be a massive factor. But the saving grace is if you do slip up, provided it’s not catastrophic, you have three to four days to regroup and set things right.” 

Missing out on playing in the semi-finals is a new experience for Hume, albeit an unwanted one, and he described how different that feels. “It’s true, it’s going to be a bit strange watching the semi-finals and not being involved, but that’s football. We (Kerala Blasters) had such a slow start this season and didn’t really have any direction in which way we were going. I think from January onwards though, we showed a bigger will to win and belief in ourselves. We’re kicking ourselves a bit, looking back at results that we know we could have, or maybe should have, turned into wins. But again, that’s football and we have to accept, learn and move on.” 

Reminiscing his past semi-final appearances over the years, the 34-year-old shared snippets of his favourite goal and favourite moment as well. “My favourite goal in the playoffs has to be in the second leg against Chennai in 2015. It didn’t end up helping us progress, but for me, it’s one of, if not the best, I’ve ever scored! It was an all-around great team goal from start to finish.” 

He further continued, “It’s easy to say that goal (again), but for me, the most memorable moment was the second leg drama at Chennai in 2014, when Stephen Pearson netted the injury-time winner to send Kerala into the final. So much controversy in the game was put to bed with a bit of brilliance from Pearo!” 

Iain Hume of Kerala Blasters FC got the Fans' Player of the Month award in January in Hero ISL 2017-18.

Having one of the best footballing brains in the Hero ISL circuit and revered by both home and away fans, Hume also shared his thoughts on who would be the favourites to win the title this time around. “I think all the four teams have a strong case and are very good at what they do. I think goals could be crucial and FC Goa have obviously produced them in abundance. But for me, if they replicate their league form and use their experience in Cup competitions, I think Bengaluru FC have a deep squad with quality and will be most people’s favourites. In playoffs though, form goes out of the window. So, it will be interesting to see who steps up over the next few days. I’ll be an avid fan watching, so good luck to all involved!”