The previous season of Kerala Blasters concluded in a controversial fashion when coach Ivan Vukomanovic directed his team to walk out of the pitch midway through an eliminator playoff game against their Southern rivals Bengaluru FC. The incident occurred after Blue’s skipper Sunil Chhetri scored a goal that the Tuskers deemed illegal. The club was later fined for abandoning the match by the AIFF, including a 10-match ban on the coach, a case they have taken to CAS or the Court of Arbitration of Sport. The shutting down of their women’s football team citing financial difficulties due to sanctions also drove widespread criticism.
The club will be reminded about the events of that evening again as the new season’s curtain-raiser on Thursday, 21 September 2023 is the same fixture. The only difference is the venue which is the home ground of Kerala Blasters in Kochi unlike the Kanteerava last time. The craze for the match has been high as tickets are already sold out in numbers. Blasters will seek redemption before heading onto their second consecutive home game to start the league against Jamshedpur FC.
The first away match of the season is another big challenge as it is against ISL Shield defenders Mumbai City FC. Followed by another home match to Super Cup winners Odisha FC. The Tuskers will also face the Islanders in the reverse fixture and Mohun Bagan in the last two matches before the ISL takes a break for the AFC Asian Cup. That makes it a very difficult schedule in the first half of the season and naturally all eyes are on them.
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Fixtures
Thursday, 21 September 2023
Kerala Blasters FC vs Bengaluru FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi (8 PM)
Sunday, 1 October 2023
Kerala Blasters FC vs Jamshedpur FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi (8 PM)
Sunday, 8 October 2023
Mumbai City FC vs Kerala Blasters FC - Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai (8 PM)
Friday, 27 October 2023
Kerala Blasters FC vs Odisha FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi (8 PM)
Friday, 3 November 2023
East Bengal FC vs Kerala Blasters FC - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (8 PM)
Saturday, 25 November 2023
Kerala Blasters FC vs Hyderabad FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi (8 PM)
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Kerala Blasters FC vs Chennaiyin FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi (8 PM)
Sunday, 3 December 2023
FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa (8 PM)
Thursday, 14 December 2023
Punjab FC vs Kerala Blasters FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi (8 PM)
Sunday, 24 December 2023
Kerala Blasters FC vs Mumbai City FC - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi (8 PM)
Wednesday, 27 December 2023
Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Kerala Blasters FC - Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata (8 PM)
2023/24 Season International break
13 Oct – 17 October 2023: Merdeka Cup
16 – 21 November 2023: 2026 World Cup & 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers
12 January – 10 February 2024: Asian Cup 2023
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