Kerala Blasters FC will welcome Mumbai City FC in their maiden home encounter of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2018-19 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday. The Blasters’ dressing room will be enjoying a buoyant atmosphere, considering their recent triumph over arch-rivals ATK in the season opener.

With the aim of achieving back-to-back wins at the beginning of the season, the Blasters will be aiming to go all out in front of their passionate fans. Ahead of their fixture against the Islanders, indiansuperleague.com caught up for an exclusive interview with fan-favourite CK Vineeth. Here are the excerpts:

On Blasters’ title aspirations.

It’s not easy actually. We are working hard to be champions this time. We lost the finals two times and we finished fifth and sixth in two seasons. This year, as I already said, it’s a bit emotional and all of Kerala need this trophy too, to get some moral boost. I think when the season finishes we can give them what they want. I think we have the team for that, the players, management and coaching staff all are working for that. I think this time, we will deliver.

How do you think the Hero ISL has evolved over the years?

I will talk about my home. My mom used to watch serials around 7:30. Right now, even though I’m not watching the match or I’m not playing, my mom is already in front of the television watching the game. She knows more player names than me. Yesterday, when Delhi was playing, I wasn’t watching the match. She was the one who kept calling me and telling Delhi scored, Pune scored. That’s what the difference is actually. Hero ISL reached all the people they need to reach. Indian football is gaining popularity right now and I think India will play in the next world cup or the one after that.