Kerala Blasters FC will tour to the nationwide capital to tackle Punjab FC on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi as two groups from both halves of the desk gear up for a gripping contest within the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-23 on Thursday.
Punjab FC have now gone the longest with out securing a maiden win for any membership in ISL historical past. Their tally of 5 factors after 9 video games is the joint-lowest (Hyderabad FC in 2019-20) secured by any crew at this stage of the competitors of their inaugural season within the competitors.
However, it have to be famous that they’ve drawn extra occasions than they’ve misplaced to this point. The first yr within the prime-tier was by no means going to be a cakewalk for the Staikos Vergetis-coached facet. But, they’ve managed to return on phrases, on par with a lot superior sides in the previous few months. What they’ve been missing is the of entirety, the decisive intuition that will get them over the ending line.
Such parts are normally found as a crew will get settled and acquainted with the common rigours of the ISL. All Punjab FC must do at this second is simply stick by the processes, determine loopholes, consciously work on them, and never get slowed down by reputations, particularly on their residence turf.
Kerala Blasters confronted a 1-0 loss to FC Goa in a prime-of-the-desk conflict of their earlier match, and that was preceded by a extremely-entertaining 3-3 draw with Chennaiyin FC. The final two outcomes have gotten them three factors behind league leaders, the Gaurs, having performed an extra sport as in comparison with the Manolo Marquez-coached unit. Until their paths meet once more, the Kerala Blasters ought to try to bridge the hole between them and FC Goa and never drop any extra factors going ahead.
What’s at stake?
Punjab FC
In all equity, a victory for Punjab FC needs to be across the nook now. They have set themselves up properly with three successive attracts, in opposition to Hyderabad FC, Bengaluru FC, and East Bengal FC respectively. The 5-1 defeat to Chennaiyin FC didn’t take a dent of their confidence, as Vergetis brushed that apart and put the main focus again on the bigger image for the crew to march forward with assurance.
They have to solidify their backline, having given away 16 targets, which is the second-most by any facet after 9 video games of their first ISL season (after Hyderabad FC in 2019-20). Their model of play has been somewhat fleet-footed, with a number of gamers like Juan Mera and Luka Majcen who can run circles across the opposition’s defence.
They have earned 13.1 fouls per sport within the marketing campaign to this point, which is the outright most by any crew within the league. Vergetis may maybe refine their set-piece skillset, optimising the aerial power of their unit to capitalise upon potential objective-scoring alternatives. Concentrated work on sure particular areas along with some neat defensive output can work wonders for his or her present run of kind.
Kerala Blasters FC
The Kerala Blasters gave a detailed battle to FC Goa on the Fatorda, however the win on the highway in opposition to the crew of the event eluded them. Kerala Blasters FC have been probably the most totally entertaining items within the league, with their dynamic forwards such as Dimitrios Diamantakos, Adrian Luna, Kwame Peprah, together with India stars like Danish Farooq and Pritam Kotal contributing considerably to their success to this point.
They have picked up 17 factors to this point, which is the second-most by them after these many video games in any ISL season (18 in 2022-23). Strong begins have been central to their success, netting 4 occasions within the opening quarter-hour of their matches to this point.
Moreover, their tendency to start video games on the frontfoot has ensured that they haven’t given away any objective in that section of the match to this point. However, a failure to maintain clear sheets of their final 10 away video games meant that they at all times have the duty to raise their gameplay on the entrance, which is a tricky process within the residence of the opposition. Whether they tackle these issues within the forthcoming fixture stays to be seen.
Key Players
Luka Majcen (Punjab FC)
With three strikes in 9 video games, Luka Majcen has proven that he has totally different tips up his sleeve to maintain discovering the again of the web regularly. The Slovenian striker has a formidable presence upfront, at all times preserving the opposition’s backline on their toes. He is somebody they have to be cautious of contained in the field, however Majcen has an equally highly effective shot that he can unleash from outdoors of the field to notch a objective.
The striker wins 1.33 aerial duels per sport, wins 2.44 fouls on a mean in each match, and has additionally created 9 objective-scoring probabilities in as many encounters as nicely. With 15 passes each 90 minutes, he takes an effort in dropping again, getting his wingers in play and thereby concurrently taking the complete frontline ahead. Punjab FC have unleashed their attacking prowess in a comparatively higher capability currently, and Majcen would be the key in changing the probabilities that come their method.
Pritam Kotal (Kerala Blasters FC)
The 30-yr-outdated defensive mainstay has settled seamlessly within the plans of Kerala Blasters FC. He has made 1.8 interceptions and clearances every per sport, coupled with sustaining a 76% passing accuracy. Pritam Kotal is nicely acquainted with all that the ISL has to supply, and therefore he should not have many difficulties in encountering the difficulties that Punjab FC presents to the Kerala Blasters.
He shall be essential in being the chief on the again, often speaking together with his teammates, preserving issues neat on the fitting flank, and making the occasional ahead foray to assist uncover newer avenues of pegging the Punjab FC backline behind. As talked about above, Kerala Blasters are on an extended clear sheet drought on the highway within the ISL. They will need to deliver curtains right down to that somewhat unlucky report, and Kotal will play a pivotal function if they’re to take action.
Head-to-Head
This would be the first ISL fixture between the 2 sides.
Trivia: Kerala Blasters FC have did not report a win in every of their final seven conferences with a brand new facet within the competitors (D4 L3), with their final such win coming in opposition to FC Goa (November 6, 2014).
Team Talk
“We have to execute with discipline all the concepts that we have prepared for this game. I am very happy seeing my players being more effective in the plans and we should look to continue the same,” Punjab FC head coach Staikos Vergetis talked about previous to the match.
“We’ve started the tournament well. We want to play offensive football, create chances, score goals. When we played against Goa, they were a very experienced team who conceded only three goals, so when you don’t create a lot of chances you need to score at the right moment,” Kerala Blasters FC assistant coach Frank Dauwen stated within the pre-match press convention.
