ISL 2024-25: Kerala Blasters faces tough task against Mohun Bagan to keep playoff hopes alive

ISL 2024-25: Kerala Blasters faces tough task against Mohun Bagan to keep playoff hopes alive

Kerala Blasters faces an arduous task to keep its Indian Super League (ISL) playoff hopes alive when it meets table topper Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Saturday.

KBFC, which is currently placed eighth in the table with 24 points, is seven points adrift of sixth-placed Mumbai City FC and needs a win against MBSG.

Though the Blasters’ recent form has been encouraging, it needs to end its miserable record of never winning a home match against the Mariners, on Saturday.

The absence of injured Noah Sadaoui will make the task even harder for KBFC against an opponent which has conceded the least number of goals (14) this season.

Noah, with seven goals and five assists this season, has been one of the in-form players for the Blasters. However, coach T.G. Purushothaman chose to play down the Moroccan star’s absence and said he trusted his side’s ability to put it across the visiting side.

“We have studied the strengths and weakness of all opponents, and we have a similar approach to this match as well. We will stick to our plans, and our objective is to take three points,’‘ he said.

Jose Molina’s side is perched at the top with 46 points and come to this match high on confidence after blanking Punjab FC 3-0. The Mariners have pumped in 39 goals, and the fragile Blasters’ defence will be challenged.

However, Molina refused to believe that his side is the favourite and pointed out the recent resurgence of Blasters as the reason. But with FC Goa in hot pursuit, the coach said his team will go all out for a win.

Published on Feb 14, 2025