The Mariners face The Blasters as we enter the last lap of the Shield race
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| Picture Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media |
Whenever a championship is in sight, Kochi comes in the way. Be it 2024 or 2025, Kochi has been a treat for the Mariners to play for. Mohun Bagan will be going all out as they take on a slightly unbalanced Kerala Blasters for the business end of the ISL Shield.
With Goa now the closest contender for the ISL shield, Mohun Bagan has a modest Seven-point lead. Molina's boys are very ambitious about grabbing all possible points in the final matches of the league race, as they want to secure the League title as early as possible.
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| Picture Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media |
Kerala Blasters are one of the most unbalanced teams in the league, so it was no surprise they are now fighting for the sixth spot. Their coach got sacked by a late Alberto Rodriguez goal. Now interim coach T. G. Purushothaman and Ex-Mariner Polish assistant coach Tomasz Tchórz are a temporary bandage to the bigger scar, which is KBFC's management and player selection.
Kochi is not an easy ground to compete in, yes it is even if you say Mohun Bagan's track record over there has been good. Blasters in Kochi is a different affair, the sheer atmosphere and attendance are unmatchable and even players admit the fact it is one of the venues they get intimidated whenever playing. Now with Kerala Blasters fighting for their sixth playoff spot, it will not be easy as they have the motivation to do so.
Last time outing in Kochi 🤭
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) February 13, 2025
Watch #ISL 2024-25 live on @JioCinema & #StarSports3 👉 https://t.co/s6ihnnu494#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/T90SvI7RPz
-: Kerala Blasters FC players to watch out for :-
Jesús Jiménez Núñez: The target man AKA 'Johnny on the spot', the only good thing that happened so far for the Manjapadda this season was the signing of Jesus Jimenez to fill the gap of Dimitrios Dimantakos. KBFC addressed their striker problem once in for all with Jesus Jimenez has been tremendous. With 11 goals and 1 assist in 16 games, he has been phenomenal at the Indian Super League level. He has found consistency quickly only in his first season says a lot about his stature as a striker. With only missing 3 big chances this season Jimenez has been deadly whenever KBFC needed someone to step up.
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| Picture Courtesy - ISL & KBFC Media |
Adrian Luna: Mr. Kerala Blasters some say, Adrian Luna in this age is still the backbone of the club's midfield, being the main playmaker and the leader on the field. With six assists so far in this season even with an off-form, he has shown class and quality this season. Captain Luna has got all of the things to take on, the more I say the less it is going to. He likes to sit back over the defense as well as moving forward to score goals, he aligns himself such with his teammates on the field, so he can pull the strings from the midfield.
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| Picture Courtesy - ISL & KBFC Media |
Naocha Singh: One of the lone warriors in the squad, Naocha has been proving himself how good he is. With 36 tackles, 81 ball recoveries and even giving two assists in the meantime in 17 games has spoken volumes for this guy, better watch out for him in Kochi.
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| Picture Courtesy - ISL & KBFC Media |
-: Tactical Analysis :-
For starters, this Kerala team under the interim management is going with a 4-2-3-1 combination with Jesus Jimenez making the target man and with a solid back 4. With Luna making the bridge between the midfield and the forward line it is a direct approach from Mr. Purusthoman. This direct approach has been working well for the moment as they are unbeaten since the last moment of heartbreak against Mohun Bagan.
In their last action against Chennaiyin two weeks ago, they were solid and dominating with Jimenez, Peprah and Korou bagging one in their name. But the real show was from Luna with him assisting two of the blasters. It could've been a goal for Luna if not winger Noah Sadoui 'Selfishly' tried to take his shot on his own, which created a fuss on their own. Unfortunately but Fortunately for the Mariners, the Blasters don't have to deal with this as Noah Sadoui will be unavailable for the next two weeks due to an injury.
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| Picture Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media |
Kerala has been dominating in terms of xG since their last Mohun Bagan outing, momentum has been on their side as they are going with the direct approach- no new fuss, just pass to Jimenez. But problems arise when they are operating from the wing, they cannot find the target much which makes it worrisome for the team.
There is not much to talk through, it is going to be very direct for the Kerala side. But a special mention has to be there for their new CB Cum CDM Dusan Lagator, he has been not very much eye-catching but should be kept an eye for if he starts in the first 11. He has the potential to minimize the unbalance in the team as a CDM but his primary position is CB which makes a solid backup for CB Drincic.
Finally, this Kerala team will be fierce to contest, they have to get into the playoffs and to do so they have to run for all three points in front of the packed JLN stadium.
-: Mohun Bagan situation :-
Nothing changed for Mohun Bagan, the situation is still the same for them. Every match is a stepping stone for the Mariners for the league title. They need to win six points to secure their league shield and to do so they need to show why they are the most powerful team in the Indian football circuit. This match should be handled with extra care and cautiousness as Kochi is different whatever our form or records are.
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| Picture Courtesy - ISL & MBSG Media |
There will be key absentees for us in the names of Greg Stewart due to disciplinary rules, Anirudh Thapa who is still recovering from an injury, Ashish Rai from an injury he picked in the training and Sahal Abdul Samad who picked up a sprain against Punjab FC.
As the records show this match is going to be filled with goals so both sets of the team defensive and offensive need to be in their fiercest form possible for this outing. As per the coach, he will be very calm and straightforward as we have seen his brilliance in the Punjab FC match.
Up next, a Saturday night blockbuster down south 🥵#MBSG #JoyMohunBagan #আমরাসবুজমেরুন pic.twitter.com/HljBLMPtaK
— Mohun Bagan Super Giant (@mohunbagansg) February 11, 2025
Probable Lineups:
Mohun Bagan (4-4-2) : Vishal Kaith (GK), Dippendu Biswas-Tom Aldred-Alberto Rodriguez-Subhasish Bose(C), Apuia Ralte-Deepak Tangri, Manvir Singh - Liston Colaco, Jason Cummings-Jamie Maclaren.
Kerala Blasters (4-3-3): Sachin Suresh(GK), Sandeep Singh-Hormipam Ruivah-Milos Drincic-Naocha Singh, Freddy- Dusan Lagator-Vibin Mohanan, Korou Singh-Jesus Jimenez-Adrian Luna(C).
Kick OFF: 15th February, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Jawharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, Kochi, India.
Live Stream: Star sports 3(TV), Sports 18 khel(TV), JioStar(India OTT Stream), One Football (International OTT Stream)
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