ISL 2018: Struggling Kerala Blasters hosts table-topper FC Goa, eyes first home win

Kerala Blasters will look to register its first home win of the 2018 Indian Super League season when it hosts table-topper FC Goa on Sunday.

Kerala Blasters players engage in a training session a day before their Indian Super League clash against FC Goa.

Rivalries will be renewed on Sunday when Kerala Blasters hosts table-topper FC Goa in the Indian Super League at the Nehru Stadium here. Late last year, the Blasters faced Goa's wrath when Ferran Corominas' second half hat-trick sealed a 5-2 win, while the Goan outfit soared to a 2-1 victory in the return fixture.

The Blasters will be wary of current top-scorer Corominas, who once again leads Goa's charge. The home side will be under heavy pressure to produce its first home win, especially after its first loss this season, against Bengaluru FC on Monday.

Blasters assistant coach Thangboi Singto hopes to work on the chinks in the rival defence. “We respect Goa and we all know it is an attacking team. But if you see its record, it concedes goals too,” said Singto on Saturday.

“But we are not very concerned about Goa, we are concerned about our team and what we bring to the table tomorrow in terms of performance is important,” he added.

FC Goa striker Ferran Corominas has been in stunning form and tops the goal-scoring charts with six goals.

 

The Kochi side is known for its defence and Singto made it clear that his team would not just focus on Corominas.

“It’s not just about Coro, they have players like Edu (Bedia) and (Hugo) Boumous who are equally talented. I think we need to focus on Goa as a team,” he said.

The host, which is likely to give Indian defender Anas Edathodika his first start of the season, will be a lot fresher than Goa which played its last game just two days ago while Kerala's last match was five days ago.

Meanwhile, FC Goa head coach Sergio Lobera was a picture of confidence. “Let’s see who scores more goals. Football is all about the balance between your attack and defence but we play a very attacking style which means we have to take some risks regarding our back but that is what makes us strong,” said the Spaniard. “We wouldn’t be changing that.”

The match, which pits the table-topper against the No. 6, should certainly be a treat.