Toughened by away matches, getting sharper with each game in the Hero Indian Super League, Kerala Blasters FC is now in the mood to have a blast at the Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex. Thursday’s tie against FC Pune City is the fourth consecutive away clash for the Kochi franchise.
KB is a better outfit than what the league table suggests — seventh among eight teams.
Goalkeeper-manager David James and assistant coach Trevor Morgan appear determined to turn the fortunes around, with maybe Pune’s turn to be at the receiving end.
Canadian goal-getter Iain Hume’s cheeky strike against Atletico de Kolkata at the Salt Lake stadium proves that KB strikers know how to seize opportunities.
James’s reflex blocks and strong presence under the bar shows his class at this level. With the defence becoming more compact and the midfield able to assert itself, KB can deliver.
The Indians in the Kochi franchise have upped their game, demonstrated by Milagres Gonsalves’s delightful assist to set up Hume. Mehtab Hossain gives his heart out in the middle, while Godwin Franco is lively in the midfield. Gurvinder Singh in the defence can lend stability.
Pune City, meanwhile, regained its poise on home turf against FC Goa and winning can be infectious.
The Italian troika of custodian Emanuele Belardi and two defenders in front — Bruno Cirillo and Danielle Magliocchetti — were impressive.
Rain over the weekend has brought down temperatures, allowing the foreigners in both teams to get into rhythm without worrying about running out of fuel.
Pune marquee player David Trezeguet is among the scorers, while playmaker Konstantinos Katsouranis is a threat each time the ball is within range.
