Last season finalists Kerala Blasters kick off their new ISL season by welcoming East Bengal in their first game at Kochi after two years.
The Tuskers were beaten by Hyderabad FC in their third final of the tournament finishing fourth during the league stage whereas the Red and Gold ended bottom in the chart collecting only a win the whole season.
KBFC vs EB Match Details
Date: Friday, 7 September 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi
KBFC vs EB Match Preview
Kerala Blasters almost quenched the thirst of the ISL title in their third final since the tournament inauguration, leading through Rahul KP’s goal in the 68th minute. Then a screamer from Sahil Tavora of Hyderabad FC in the dying embers forced the Tuskers into extra-time and onto the dreaded penalties afterwards. The shootout was the same as their last showpiece result with Laximikant Kattimani making amends for his earlier error in giving Blasters the lead by stopping four penalties to leave the opposition empty-handed again. The final loss was the sole sticking point of otherwise delightful campaign for the side. At one time, KBFC were topping the league chart although Covid and injuries played an unfortunate role in their eventual slide to fourth place at the end of the league rounds. Coach Ivan Vukomanovic was rewarded for his excellent first season with the club with a new contract becoming the first manager ever to hold his seat at the club for back-to-back seasons. He has got the opportunity to better the performance from last season of the Tuskers with some exciting signings in the season. Losing two key forwards in Alvaro Vazquez and Jorge Pereyra Diaz was not easy but the addition of Dimitrios Diamantakos and Apostolos Giannou is sure not to dim the lights of the attack that managed to score 34 goals last term. KBFC also carried the second best defensive record in the league the previous season and are able to retain the back four of Harmanjot Khabra, Marko Leskovic, the talented Hormipam Ruivah and captain Jessel Carneiro. The creative hub of Adrian Luna is also there. Vukomanovic will be aiming to finally land the silverware for Blasters and the journey of it could start with a three point win in front of their home support at Kochi for the first time since 2020. The Serbian will wish his boys accomplish the task against the basement side from last season albeit a much changed one.
After two seasons of disarray with investors, East Bengal have finally managed to get an ideal deal with Emamy to take the club forward. In the first seasons in the ISL the Kolkata giants finished ninth and eleventh successively recruiting and managing poorly due to the prevailing off-field issues. The disagreements between the board members directly impacted outcomes on the pitch as East Bengal hardly ever looked organized or attempted for the playoff spots in the league. They finished rock-bottom last season managing only one victory out of 20 games and suffering loss in 11 of them. It was high time for the club to turn things around and they reach an agreement with new investors who adhered to the demands of the club officials and fans. A complete shake-off of the squad was done with 20 new faces arriving and a high-esteem manager Stephen Constantine taking the helm. A known figure from the Indian national team days, Constantine has got the duty to overturn the disappointments and aim for silverware although the boss has insisted prime objective will be to better their standings from the last two seasons not aiming for the playoffs just yet even though as much as six teams have the chance to move into the latter stages this time out. With a new look and supposedly better-recruited squad this season, the team is expected to deliver, making Constantine optimistic but also careful knowing the team had two months less than others to assemble for the competition. The season opener will be a real test for the Red and Gold aiming for a positive season with a difficult trip to Kochi facing enormous opposition support. Also, East Bengal have failed to beat Kerala Blasters in the four attempts so far, losing the last meeting following three consecutive 1-1 draws. Both sides will not risk much in the first game of the season fielding similar formations so a cagey affair is expected.
KBFC vs EB Team News
Coach Ivan Vukomanovic confirmed there are no injury concerns for Kerala Blasters ahead of the ISL curtain raiser. Sahal Abdul Samad was initially feared to be injured after picking up a minor issue while on national duty last week but he has made himself available for the game. Goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill has also regained fitness. The Serbian said the new strike force of Dimitrios Diamantakos and Apostolos Giannou can be expected to start on Thursday.
Similarly, East Bengal have no injury troubles to think about. Coach Stephen Constantine is likely to hand ISL debuts to all the new recruits, all signed on free, in the summer for a strong start to the season. In terms of foreigners, Cleiton Silva, Ivan Gonzalez and Alex Lima will play their third season in the league in new colors this time while Charalampos Kyriakou, Eliandro and Jordan O’Doherty get their first taste of the competition. Youngster Mohammad Rakip will start at right-back after signing from Mumbai City FC with Jerry Lalrinzuala beginning his fifth ISL campaign on the opposite flank. Trophy winners with Hyderabad FC last season, Souvik Chakrabarti and Aniket Jadav are tipped to start for the Red and Gold this term.
KBFC vs EB Predicted Lineups
KBFC: Prabhsukhan Singh Gill; Harmanjot Khabra, Marko Leskovic, Ruivah Hormipam, Jessel Carneiro; Sahal Abdul Samad, Jeakson Singh, Puitea, Adrian Luna; Dimitrios Diamantakos, Apostolos Giannou.
EB: Kamaljit Singh; Mohammad Rakip, Ivan Gonzalez, Charalampos Kyriakou, Jerry Lalrinzuala; Aniket Jadhav, Souvick Chakrabarti, Alex Lima, VP Suhair; Cleiton Silva, Sumeet Passi.
KBFC vs EB Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: P Singh (8.5)
DEF: Khabra (9), Leskovic (8.5), Kyriakou (9), I Gonzalez (8.5)
MID: Sahal (8), Lima (9), Luna (9), Jadav (8.5)
FW: Giannou (9), C Silva (9)
Captain: Adrian Luna
Vice-captain: Cleiton Silva
Prabhsukhan Singh Gill won the golden glove last season making 47 saves and keeping the most number of clean sheets with 7. He also has more credits (8.5) than Kamaljit Singh (8.0) as a result.
Adrian Luna ranked second in terms of most assists with 7 last season in the league and also chances created with 53. However, he ranked first in terms of creating the big chances with 10.
Cleiton Silva scored 9 goals for Bengaluru FC last ISL season, most for his club. He also registered 3 assists taking his goal contributions to double figures for the Blues.
Check out the 2022/23 ISL Club Profile: Bengaluru FC
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
