Match: Kerala Blasters v Atletico de Kolkata
Date: 5 October, Wednesday
Time: 9:30pm SGT/7pm IST/2:30pm BST
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
Competition: Indian Super League 2016
TV Coverage: There is no TV coverage of the 2016 ISL clash between Kerala Blasters and Atletico de Kolkata in Singapore.
Live Streaming: Hotstar
Overview
Kerala Blasters host Atletico de Kolkata in their 2016 Indian Super League clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on 5 October.
The hosts did not have a good start to their campaign as they succumbed to 1-0 loss in Guwahati against NorthEast United in the season opener. Blasters, who had a poor run in the 2015 season, looked no better on Saturday after failing to even test their opponents.
A dull first half ended goalless after which NorthEast winger Yusa Katsumi scored the only goal of the match. The attacking trio of Mohammad Rafi, Kervens Belfort and Antonio German were ineffective as the visitors hardly created any decent chances.
Steve Coppell made changes to his frontline by bringing in Duckens Nazon and Michael Chopra in the second half only to see his side make futile attempts at getting an equaliser. Vinit Rai and Mehtab Hossain also lacked creativity in the midfield.
However, the newly-appointed manager would have taken heart from the way Sandesh Jhingan made frequent runs along the flank. He would want a better effort from the defensive unit led by marquee player Aaron Hughes and Cedric Hengbart on Wednesday.
On the other hand, Jose Francisco Molina's side displayed good intent in their opening game despite coming back from behind to manage a 2-2 draw against defending champions Chennaiyin FC at home.
South African midfielder Sameehg Doutie stole the show at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium by scoring their first goal of the season. He also drew a foul inside the box in the second half to let Iain Hume score the second equaliser of the day.
The lethal attacking pair of Helder Postiga and Hume have the ability to cause headaches to Hughes-led defence. Javi Lara and Doutie will look to continue their impressive run against the Blasters. It will another test for full backs Jhingan Ishfaq Ahmed to contain the Atletico pair, who are likely to create trouble with their speed.
Atletico have a relatively inexperienced defense with Tiri and Arnab Mondal playing as centre backs. However, the duo have forged a successful partnership at the back and are known for their organisation skills and ability to read the game.
Coppell's side will bank on their three consecutive home fixtures to get their season up and running. However, they have considerably raise their game to prevent Atletico from clinching three full points on Wednesday.
TV Schedule
Australia: Fox Sports 2 Australia
Bhutan: Star Sports 3 Asia
Bangladesh: Star Sports 3 Asia
Nepal: Star Sports 3 Asia
India: Star Sports 3
UAE: Abu Dhabi Sports 6
Team News
Kerala Blasters
Possible XI: Graham Stack; Pratik Chaudhari, Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart, Sandesh Jhingan; Vinit Rai, Mehtab Hussain, Ishfaq Ahmed; Michael Chopra, Antonio German, Mohammed Rafi
Atletico de Kolkata
Possible XI: Debjit Majumder; Robert Lalthlamuana, Arnab Mondal, Tiri, Pritam Kotal; Borja Fernandez, Javi Lara; Bidyananda Singh, Ian Hume, Sameehg Doutie; Helder Postiga
