In consecutive home games to start the new season, Kerala Blasters are in view of making back-to-wins taking on another side from Kolkata in ATK Mohun Bagan.
The Tuskers defeated East Bengal 3-1 in the opening game of the season whereas ATK Mohun Bagan could hold their first-half lead collapsing in the second half in the 2-1 defeat to Chennaiyin FC.
KBFC vs ATKMB Match Details
Date: Saturday, 16 October 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
KBFC vs ATKMB Match Preview
The atmosphere created by the fans for the season opener of Kerala Blasters in the first home game after two years of bio-bubble campaign in Goa due to the pandemic galvanize the team to a 3-1 victory against East Bengal with all the goals coming towards the end of the game. Understandably in the first game of the new campaign, Ivan Vukomanovic’s side took a little time to settle down in the cagey first half testing out the opposition. But as soon as star man Adrian Luna’s goal went in the 72nd minute, the stadium in Kochi erupted. It was also an emotional moment for the Uruguayan footballer who lost his daughter recently and the strike was the perfect tribute he gave on the evening. Substitute Ivan Kalyuzhnyi doubled the lead ten minutes later and then put the game to bed by getting his second moments after Alex Lima got one back for the Red and Golds. Kerala Blasters are chasing for trophies again after going close for a double, Winner’s Shield and ISL title, last season. Beginning the campaign with a win was needy and the Tuskers are adamant to carry the momentum into their next game staying in Kochi. Three points will once again be in proximity for the home side as they face a defeated ATK Mohun Bagan not been at their best recently. Their rivals East Bengal had little to offer from their defensive football although Kerala Blasters will expect a reaction from ATKMB instead, suffering the loss in the first game. There are almost no changes Vukomanovic is expected to make to the winning side keeping Kalyuzhnyi on the bench as the impact player. No matter what the Yellow Army will rely upon Luna to help them in the scoring cause and winning games in the process. The back four is also looking at the same level as last season giving hope for another memorable season to come from them.
All of these narratives ahead of the game won’t sound melodious to the ears of ATK Mohun Bagan who was found guilty again of taking the foot off the pedal and letting the game slip away from them. Back in the Salt Lake stadium for the first time in ISL, the Green and Maroons started the game with intensity pushing Chennaiyin back to their box. The lead though came from a quick counter-attack which was finished by Manvir Singh to finally end his goal drought. Earlier, CFC’s number one Debjit Majumder was tested several times in what looked to be a comfortable evening for the home side. Then Juan Ferrando’s men allowed the Marina Machans to trot back into the game with goalkeeper Vishal Kaith giving away a penalty inside the box to be converted by Kwame Karikari. Chennaiyin FC then survived another pushback from ATKMB to grab the winner through Rahim Ali. The frustrating defeat in the opening game of the ISL season cumulated with unconvincing performances in the Durand Cup and the humiliating exit in the AFC Cup will be enough for the Spanish coach to hear some of the criticism circling around his strategy of approaching games. Changes are expected to be made also because of Carl Mchugh’s fitness ahead of the match, even though he was a substitute in the curtain raiser anyway. Liston Colcao could return to the starting lineup after somewhat a surprise omit from it in the last game. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi will be a difficult place to visit and although some players in the squad have previous experience at the ground, they are coming up against a far strong and in-form opposition this time around. Another defeat for ATKMB will put Juan Ferrando’s job in scrutiny and he will surely not like that.
KBFC vs ATKMB 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.
ATKMB: Vishal Kaith (GK), Pritam Kotal, Brendan Hamill, Subhasish Bose; Asish Rai, Joni Kauko, Deepak Tangri, Ashique Kuruniyan, Hugo Boumous; Manvir Singh, Dimitri Petratos.
KBFC vs ATKMB Dream 11 Team Prediction
GK: Gill (8.5)
DEF: Khabra (9), Hormipam (8), Carneiro (7.5), Asish (8)
MID: Sahal (8), Kauko (8), Kuruniyan (9), Luna (9)
FW: Giannou (9), Manvir (9)
Vice-captain: Manvir Singh
Captain: Adrian Luna
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
