The previous season started on a high for Kerala Blasters coming off an ISL final appearance for the second time but ending the term controversially. A premature finish in which they decided to abandon a game for a referee decision not according to their liking. The team along with their coach was also fined for their action and also closed down their women’s team citing problems due to financial sanctions. Amid the global outrage at the decision taken by the management, the club decided to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland for the punishments imposed on them by AIFF.
With the noise of those off-field issues still ringing and very much on everybody’s lips, the Tuskers wish for a fresh start to their new campaign. That will be difficult without their coach Ivan Vukomanovic for initial games due to fulfilling his 10-match touchline ban after the incident. Still, the club have made some key additions to the squad and has gone abroad for pre-season with practice matches to get in the best possible shape ahead of the campaign. But the team will bring the attention of not the best kind whenever take on the pitch and wherever they move around the nation.
Previous season performance
With six sides allowed to enter the ISL playoffs from last season, Kerala Blasters were among the teams that qualified despite finishing fifth which normally would not have let them do so. Their form, especially in the latter half of the campaign, was disappointing with six defeats compared to just three in the first period. In the eliminator phase of the playoffs they meet with rivals Bengaluru FC finished three points ahead on fourth. At a time the game was locked at 0-0 until the 96th minute, Sunil Chhetri took a quick free without the referee’s whistle catching the Blasters’s wall and the goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill, now at East Bengal, off guard. After several protests were not heard and the official stuck to the goal decision, coach Ivan Vukomanovic decided to take the team to the dressing room and eventually abandoned it. Bengaluru FC were declared the winners as they moved into the semi-finals while the Blasters were eliminated.
Kerala Blasters 2023/24 Transfers
IN: Bidyashagar Singh, Lara Sharma (on loan), Prabir Das, Kwame Peprah (Ghana), Pritam Kotal, Ishan Pandita, Milos Drincic (Foreign), Sagolsem Bikash Singh (on loan), Emmanuel Justine (Foreign), Jaushua Sotirio (Foreign), Huidrom Naocha Singh (on loan), Korou Singh, Freddy Lallawmawma, Aibanbha Dohling, Aiman
OUT: Jessel Carneiro, Nishu Kumar (on loan), Sagolsem Bikash Singh (on loan), Muhammad Ajsal (on loan), Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Sahal Abdul Samad, Ayush Adhikari, Harmanjot Khabra, Víctor Mongil (Spain), Apostolos Giannou (Australia/Greece), Denechandra Meitei, Muheet Shabir, Ivan Kalyuzhnyi (End of loan), Tejas Krishna, Gaurav K, Emmanuel Justine (Nigeria, on loan), Muhammad Saheef (on loan), Bijoy Varghese (on loan), Givson Singh (on loan)
The Tuskers had been busy in the summer window with the squad undergoing changes although financial sanctions had little to do with it as it seems. They did not purchased star midfielder Ivan Kalyuzhnyi having got him on loan last season and also let go of fan favourite national team campaigner Sahal Abdul Samad in a high-money move to Mohun Bagan Super Giants. The Kolkata giants’s rivals East Bengal also swooped in for former Golden Glove winner Prabhsukhan Singh Gill and Nishu Kumar on loan. However, the list of arrivals has been decent with ISL-winning captain Pritam Kotal joining to strengthen the defence as well as Milos Drincic, Prabir Das and Aibanbha Dohling. The attack has got the addition of Ishan Pandita, Jaushua Sotirio, Kwame Peprah and Emmanuel Justine with the latter sent on loan to I-league side Gokulam Kerala FC.
Also Read | Kerala Blasters Fixtures for ISL 2023/24
Kerala Blasters 2023/24 Squad
Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh, Lara Sharma, Mohammed Arbaz, Sachin Suresh
Defenders: Prabir Das, Pritam Kotal, Milos Drincic, Aibanbha Dohling, Marko Leskovic, Huidrom Singh, Ruivah Hormipam, Sandeep Singh
Midfielders: Freddy Lallawmawma, Bryce Miranda, Adrian Luna, Danish Farooq, Saurav Mandal, Jeakson Singh, Mohammed Aimen, Mohammed Azhar, Vibin Mohanan, Sukham Meitei
Forwards: Bidyashagar Singh, Kwame Peprah, Ishan Pandita, Daisuke Saikai, Dimitrios Diamantakos, Rahul KP, Nihal Sudeesh
Head Coach: Ivan Vukomanovic
Preseason
Kerala Blasters took part in the Durand Cup as well as played friendlies in UAE in preparation for the new season. The cup competition did not go well as they failed to get past the group stages losing to Gokulam Kerala and then drawing 2-2 with Bengaluru FC reserve side. The Blasters team had a mix of both junior and senior team players which put a sour taste in the mouth. The 5-0 victory over the Indian Air Force team in the third match came too late. The team also took part in an 11-day tour to UAE after the competition. After receiving a 6-0 thrashing in the hands of Al Wasl in the first match, the Blasters were able to recover and win against a second-string Sharjah FC team.
Strength
The new addition to the squad has given a good shake-up to the squad by bringing in fresh energy. Bringing in leaders like Pritam Kotal not only upgraded the back four but has provided leadership in the dressing room which the team lacked before. Also having multiple title-winning experiences could help change the mentality of the side. This is bound to have a positive impact on the team for the season. The striking department is also bolstered with Adrian Luna staying put a boost to the morale.
Weakness
Despite all the positive changes, the squad still has to battle the elephant in the room of their own doings. The controversy generated will bite them throughout the season especially in away games. The off-field issues are not over yet as the management has taken their case to CAS to evade punishments which they hope does not create distractions on the pitch. They have to tackle without the coach on the touchline for initial games, having the experience in the Super Cup earlier in the year. More importantly, the expectations of their own fans will boil over if the results do not arrive.
Prediction
It will be a big disappointment if the team does not make the playoffs having all the capability to do so. In terms of fan’s desire to land a trophy, it looks far-fetched. This season is seeing two or more big contenders for the ISL Shield or the trophy with excellent business in the summer and strong pre-season. At least, Kerala Blasters can lay the path for steady progress in the upcoming season if they are able to shake away their off-field dilemmas. They will want the footballing front coach Vukomanovic to deliver them some goods finally in his third season in charge.
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