Matchday 10 will feature a repeat of last year’s final as Atlético de Kolkata take on Kerala Blasters FC in their first Hero Indian Super League 2015 home game at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday. Both sides have made a steady start to their respective campaigns, registering a win and a draw to make it four points from two matches.

The Blasters will be seeking revenge after coming up short against Atlético in the final last year. Kolkata, on the other hand, will be looking for a win in front of what is expected to be a jam-packed Salt Lake Stadium. It was a 1-1 draw the last time these two sides met at Kolkata, however, Kerala’s goal-scorer on that occasion, Iain Hume will be taking to the field in ATK colours this time.

Iain Hume v Bruno Perone

It promises to be a special occasion for Iain Hume who will be facing his former side for the first time since his move to Atlético. The Englishman has started both games for his side thus far and will be hoping to make an impact against his former employers on Tuesday. Hume’s addition to ATK has definitely had a positive impact on the rest of the side. His endearing work-rate coupled with predatory instincts makes him an ideal choice to spearhead Atlético’s frontline. The diminutive forward has already accounted for an assist this season.

Kerala Blasters FC will be pinning their hopes on Bruno Perone to nullify Hume’s threat. Traditionally a centre back, the Brazilian has adopted a more advanced role in Kerala’s side. The added responsibility of his new role as a defensive midfielder makes Perone a crucial cog in the Blasters midfield. His role of breaking down opposition attacks in midfield will have a telling say on who comes out on top.

Arata Izumi v Mehtab Hossain

Arata Izumi announced his arrival in spectacular fashion to the rest of the league on his first start in the Hero Indian Super League. His side-footed volley against FC Goa gave everyone a hint of what he’s capable of. The 33-year-old is also a good distributor of the ball and has a passing accuracy of 82% after the first two games.

Mehtab Hossain’s importance to the Kerala cause cannot be undermined. He is one of the few individuals to be retained by the Blasters in the off season, Hossain has completed more passes than any other player in his team (75). The ball-playing midfielder’s experience and ability to break up play at centre of the park makes him one of the first names on the Kerala team-sheet.

Josemi v Sanchez Watt

The return of Josemi to the Atlético de Kolkata side acts as a massive boost. Josemi featured in every game for ATK last season and returned as a substitute to Atlético’s backline in their match against Goa after missing the league’s curtain-raiser against Chennai through injury. A fully fit Josemi is sure to walk straight back into the team and solidify their back-four. His big-match experience and leadership qualities will most definitely tighten up an ATK defence that has conceded three goals in two games so far.

Sanchez Watt wasted no time in getting acclimatized to the Hero ISL. The Englishman scored on his debut against NorthEast United FC after coming on from the bench. Watt is expected to make his first start for the side against ATK after coming on from the bench during Kerala’s last game against Mumbai City FC. The youngster’s pace and power going forward will pose a massive threat to Atlético’s defence.Tuesday’s clash between two of India’s footballing super-powers in Kolkata and Kerala has all the makings of a blockbuster. While Hume will be expecting to leave a mark on his former side, Kerala Blasters FC themselves have a returning hero within their ranks. 

Both teams go into Tuesday’s clash undefeated and will be hoping to keep it that way after the final whistle. Atlético de Kolkata may have the home ground advantage but Kerala Blasters FC who are used to playing in front of more than sixty thousand spectators in their home ties will be undeterred by the deafening home support in Kolkata.

Quotes:

“Injury or national duty call-ups, I am confident about the players’ capabilities.”-Atletico de Kolkata head coach Habas

It took us five games last year to get four points but we’ve played two games this year and got four points so at the moment we’re ahead but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves, we know it’s going to be a tough game tomorrow. – Kerala Blasters FC head coach Peter Taylor

Squads:

Kerala Blasters FC: Stephen Bywater, Rahul Shankar Bheke, Ramandeep Singh, Peter Ramage, Carlos Marchena (Marquee Player), Cavin Lobo, Joao Coimbra, Chris Dagnall, Mohd Rafi, Ishfaq Ahmed, Shankar S, CK Vineeth, Mehtab Hossain, Sandesh Jhingan, Gurwinder Singh, Manandeep Singh, Sanchez Watt, Antonio German, Bruno Perone, Sandip Nandy, Saumik Dey, Marcus Williams, Peter Carvalho, Victor Herrero Forcada, Josu Currias, Shilton Paul

Atlético de Kolkata : Amrinder Singh, Juan Calatayud, Kunzang Bhutia (Lachungpa), Arnab Mondal, Denzil Franco, Nallappan Mohanraj, Syed Rahim Nabi, José Miguel González Rey (Josemi), José Luis Espinosa Arroyo (Tiri), Rino Anto, Lalchhawnkima, Augustin Fernandes, Sheikh Jewel Raja, Clifford Miranda, Borja Fernández, Ofentse Nato, Jaime Gavilan Martinez, Sameehg Doutie, Arata Izumi, Javier 'Javi' Lara Grande, Valmiro Lopes Rocha, Baljit Sahni, Nadong Bhutia, Hélder Postiga (marquee player), Sushil Kumar Singh, Iain Hume

(The match starts 1900 IST and will be telecast on Start Sports 1/HD1/2/HD2/3/HD3)