Kerala Blasters FC will hope that the home advantage in their first home match of the Hero Indian Super League against a buoyant FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, tomorrow, will help them seal full points and propel them upwards in this bottom-of-the-table clash. Both sides have just four points each in five games though Goa are in the cellar due to an inferior goal difference.

The Goa camp is on a high after their fine come-from-behind victory over Delhi Dynamos FC at home. The Blasters however ended a run of five away games on the trot with a loss to Mumbai City FC when Nicolas Anelka scored his first goal of the tournament.

Kerala have shown great heart and they look good going forward, but goal scoring is a big problem for them, having scored just four times in the competition as compared to Goa who have netted five times. Kerala lag behind in the attacking stats, having taken less shots and shots on target (68/34) as compared to the visitors (83/45) and having put in less crosses too (79-84). The game could be spiced up by the return to action of goalkeeper David James (Kerala) from injury and Robert Pirès (Goa) from suspension.

Cédric Hengbart vs Tolgay Özbey

Hengbart is an experienced French centre half and has been a rock in the heart of the Kerala defence. He has a great sense of positioning and awareness and is also good in the air and a danger from set pieces. His strength will be vital to hold off FC Goa forward Özbey. The Ozzie got his first goal of the tournament when he rounded Kristof Van Hout and tucked in a neat winner against Delhi. He’s strong and tricky and has experience playing in India. The Kerala defence will have to be on their toes to keep him in check.

Iain Hume vs Youness Bengelloun

The tenacious Hume has been Kerala’s best player so far. His propensity to always be on the move and his ability to be in the right place at the right time can cause a lot of problems to FC Goa’s shaky defence. Having failed to score in his previous encounter against Mumbai, Hume will want to get back onto the score sheet. The dependable centre back Bengelloun has played every minute of every game so far for Goa. The Frenchman has an eye for a pass and is good in the air and intercepts the ball well too. He will have to bring his A-game to mark the former Canadian international striker out of the match.

Sandesh Jhingan vs Romeo Fernandes

Kerala’s young left back Sandesh Jhingan who hails from Chandigarh, has become one of the finds of the tournament with his cool and composed defending and his timely tackles as well as his ability to move seamlessly into attack. He will come up against the diminutive Romeo Fernandes, who had an excellent game against Delhi despite missing a sitter. The young Goan winger can rattle the Kerala defence as he constantly bombs up and down the right flank, looking to cross or cut in and shoot. A tussle between the two players for supremacy will spice up the match.

Players to watch          

Kerala Blasters FC

Pedro Gusmão – The young Brazilian forward will look to bring his flair into the game. He’s had a rather quiet tournament and the home support could spur him on to greater deeds. Getting a goal would certainly help his confidence.

Sheikh Jewel Raja – Coming back from injury, Jewel was drafted straight back into the first team by Zico and he did not disappoint. Controlling the game from midfield, the young Indian even managed to evade the defenders and head in the equaliser against Delhi. The Hero of the previous match will look to keep that form running and help his side get another three points. 

Team Speak

Kerala Blasters FC

David James (head coach): “We need to get into our rhythm and start scoring, so as much as I want clean sheets, I also want us to score more goals.”

FC Goa

Zico (head coach): “We need to be very cautious about the way we approach this game, because now they (Kerala Blasters) are playing at home.”