ATK host Kerala Blasters in mouth-watering Hero ISL opener

The wait is finally over! The 2018-19 campaign of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) gets underway with ATK taking on the Kerala Blasters FC at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Saturday.

28 September, 2018

In a repeat of last season’s opener, both sides come into this tie with renewed hope after a disappointing year. In front of the passionate Kolkata supporters, the opening game promises to be a truly enthralling fixture with plenty of renowned names taking to the pitch.

ATK

Heading into the season, ATK are tagged as one of the favourites to take home the trophy. The two-time champions have made a series of high-profile signings over the course of the summer. With the likes of Gerson Vieira, John Johnson and Manuel Lanzarote within their ranks, they look like a formidable force.

To add to the impressive transfer signings, Steve Coppell has been appointed as the new head coach. The Englishman has an impressive record in the league, managing Jamshedpur and Saturday’s opponents Kerala Blasters in the past two seasons.

ATK have an impressive record against their southern rivals and if past records are anything to go by, they will be fancying themselves to get the season off the mark with a victory.

Here's a look at ATK's 2017-18 season:

KERALA BLASTERS

Under head coach David James, Kerala Blasters will be on the lookout for their maiden Hero ISL title, coming close on two occasions in the past and being defeated both times by the same opponent they face on Saturday.

Coming into the first game of the season, the club has fared a tough time in the past month when they were forced to shift their training base to Ahmedabad, owing to the devastating floods that hit Kerala. A victory in their first game against ATK will serve as the perfect confidence boost for the team and give ample happiness to the recuperating Keralites.

The Blasters have made some impressive signings over the summer, most notably Indian centre-back Anas Edathodika. However, the 31-year-old will miss the tie owing to a suspension he picked up during the Hero Super Cup earlier this year. Captain Sandesh Jhingan will be held with the responsibility of keeping out the likes of Lanzarote and Everton Santos, with youngster Dheeraj Singh likely to take guard under the sticks.

Here's a look at Kerala's 2017-18 season:

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ATK: Arindam Bhattacharja(GK), Andre Bikey, John Johnson, Aiborlang Khongjee, Sena Ralte, Gerson Viera, Pronay Halder, Everton Santos, Manuel Lanzarote, Jayesh Rane, Balwant Singh

Kerala Blasters: Dheeraj Singh (GK), Sandesh Jhingan, Pritam Singh, Cyril Kali, Lalruatthara, Keziron Kizito, Courage Pekuson, Halicharan Narzary, CK Vineeth, Slavisla Stojanovic, Matej Poplantic

DID YOU KNOW?

ATK have never lost the first match of a Hero ISL season
The last time ATK began their Hero ISL campaign at the Salt Lake Stadium, they went on to win the tittle (2014)
Kerala Blasters have only once won their opening match of a Hero ISL season, which came against NorthEast United (3-1) in 2015 (2L, 1D).

FAN SPEAK

Which player do you think will score the first goal of Hero ISL 2018-19?