Nelo Vingada is on the hunt for his first win as Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) takes on bottom-placed Chennaiyin FC (CFC) in the Indian Super League’s South Indian derby at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday.
Chennaiyin FC comes on the back of a 2-1 win against table-topper Bengaluru FC in the ISL
Chennai:
CFC head coach John Gregory was not complaining. “From my point of view, I will be happy if the stadium is empty coming here. The support Kerala had at home last year, I was gobsmacked. Trust me, I would love to have that support at home. It is one of my biggest mysteries, why Kerala has never won the ISL in five seasons,” said Gregory.
Lack of goals has been Kerala’s biggest undoing this season, with the side managing just 15 in as many matches. Only one player, Slavisa Stojanovic (four), has scored more than one goal for Kerala in the current campaign and it is no surprise the side has struggled. “The next game is always the most important and the most difficult. After three games (in charge), you have some balance. Now, we have to ensure that our team goes up. We have had more time in training and the players know my concept better,” said Vingada.
Chennaiyin, on the other hand, comes into the game with a chance to lift itself off the bottom. “I think everybody is motivated. We want to take nine points in the next three matches and finish in a position where we will be happier,” said Gregory, who has captain Mailson Alves back in contention after a three-game suspension.
Having so impressively captured its second league title in 2017-18, CFC looks like a shadow of its former self in a campaign riddled with 11 losses so far. Despite its woes in the season, Gregory’s men will come into Friday’s clash in buoyant mood, having recently recorded only its second win of the edition. The 2-1 victory over league leader Bengaluru was a reminder of the defending champion’s prowess.
One of the biggest positives for Chennaiyin from its win over Bengaluru was the return to goal-scoring form for forward Jeje Lalpekhlua. The ‘Mizo Sniper’ will be eager to score a few more before the season ends and.
Vingada has overseen draws for Kerala against ATK and Bengaluru FC, along with a defeat to Delhi Dynamos FC. The former NorthEast United FC coach will be hoping to end up fourth-time lucky as the defending champion visits Kochi. Kerala has just one win in its kitty so far and is winless in 14 games, resulting in dwindling attendance figures.
CFC head coach John Gregory was not complaining. “From my point of view, I will be happy if the stadium is empty coming here. The support Kerala had at home last year, I was gobsmacked. Trust me, I would love to have that support at home. It is one of my biggest mysteries, why Kerala has never won the ISL in five seasons,” said Gregory.
Lack of goals has been Kerala’s biggest undoing this season, with the side managing just 15 in as many matches. Only one player, Slavisa Stojanovic (four), has scored more than one goal for Kerala in the current campaign and it is no surprise the side has struggled. “The next game is always the most important and the most difficult. After three games (in charge), you have some balance. Now, we have to ensure that our team goes up. We have had more time in training and the players know my concept better,” said Vingada.
Chennaiyin, on the other hand, comes into the game with a chance to lift itself off the bottom. “I think everybody is motivated. We want to take nine points in the next three matches and finish in a position where we will be happier,” said Gregory, who has captain Mailson Alves back in contention after a three-game suspension.
Having so impressively captured its second league title in 2017-18, CFC looks like a shadow of its former self in a campaign riddled with 11 losses so far. Despite its woes in the season, Gregory’s men will come into Friday’s clash in buoyant mood, having recently recorded only its second win of the edition. The 2-1 victory over league leader Bengaluru was a reminder of the defending champion’s prowess.
One of the biggest positives for Chennaiyin from its win over Bengaluru was the return to goal-scoring form for forward Jeje Lalpekhlua. The ‘Mizo Sniper’ will be eager to score a few more before the season ends and.