Mumbai Metropolis FC travels to Kochi to sq. off towards Kerala Blasters FC on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in a conflict that may have broad repercussions within the top-of-the-table dynamics of the Indian Tremendous League (ISL) 2023-24 on December 24, Sunday.
The Islanders recovered from consecutive goalless attracts to safe their maiden victory beneath Petr Kratky in a dramatic encounter towards the Mohun Bagan Tremendous Large (MBSG). The end result of the 2-1 victory was such that Mumbai might be lacking 4 of their key gamers, particularly: Akash Mishra, Greg Strewart, Vikram Partap Singh, and Rahul Bheke, because of suspensions on this match.
Kratky wore a optimistic look even after the earlier sport although, praising the indomitable spirit of his gamers and saying that the approaching sport provides him a singular alternative to check his bench energy. In all probability, they can’t afford to take Kerala Blasters FC frivolously, significantly after they play in entrance of Manjappada.
The Kochi-based outfit misplaced by 2-1 to Mumbai Metropolis FC within the reverse fixture on the Metropolis of Goals after Danish Farooq had gotten them an necessary equaliser within the second half. They are going to be desirous to go one step forward and inflict a loss upon the Islanders, who desperately need to be close to the top-placed spots within the standings.
To their credit score, the Islanders are unbeaten within the season to this point. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply that there aren’t holes to be stuffed in that setup. The impeccable high quality of their squad will face a stern take a look at within the yard of the Blasters, who’re unbeaten of their final six residence matches – profitable 4 video games and drawing twice.
What’s at stake?
Kerala Blasters FC
Kerala Blasters FC will return residence after two matches, which included a 1-0 loss in Goa adopted by a 1-0 victory towards Punjab FC in New Delhi. They’ve positively been hit by the absence of skipper Adrian Luna, and it wanted a spot-kick by Dimitrios Diamantakos for them to emerge victorious towards the ISL debutants. Their inventive outputs will certainly endure with the Uruguayan sidelined, however KBFC want to make sure that the remainder of weapons of their armoury fireplace collectively to cease a terrific Mumbai Metropolis FC unit.
In truth, Mumbai Metropolis FC have had a superb report enjoying in Kochi over the earlier seasons of the ISL. The only real and final victory for the Kerala Blasters FC towards Mumbai Metropolis FC in Kochi within the ISL got here approach again on October 14, 2016, within the third season of the league. Nonetheless, KBFC have additionally scored in 20 out of their final 22 residence video games towards all opponents, and have adopted an strategy the place they’re unafraid to take the sport to them this season. Which is why, they’ve compelled 8.2 excessive turnovers (profitable the ball again inside 40 metres of the opposition’s aim) per sport in ISL 2023-24, one thing that’s a transparent warning signal for Rostyn Griffiths and his fellow defenders within the Mumbai Metropolis FC ranks.
Mumbai Metropolis FC
In all equity, Petr Kratky has began off his stint within the ISL in fairly some style. After two listless, goalless attracts, the conflict towards the Mohun Bagan Tremendous Large had every part that one would anticipate from two groups on the prime of their sport. The Islanders sneaked previous the Mariners with a 2-1 win, however Kratky now has to take care of the aforementioned suspensions and rejig his squad for this significant away fixture. Challenges are coming thick and quick his approach, that too in several kinds, with the brand new tactician being compelled to relook his plans early on in his run on this nation.
He can draw perception from the truth that the Islanders are promising on the highway, having gained thrice and drawn twice of their final 5 away encounters. In truth, they’ve discovered the again of the online at the very least twice in 4 of these matches. The truth that they’ve been in a position to climate the challenges that come for an opposition crew in Kochi ought to maintain them in good stead for this fixture too. Kratky will do effectively to make sure that his enjoying model and philosophy shouldn’t be tweaked extensively within the wake of the various absentees that they’ve for this sport, with nothing lower than a degree being passable for them at this stage of the marketing campaign.
Key Gamers
Naocha Singh (Kerala Blasters FC)
Naocha Singh has performed seven league video games this season, recording eight interceptions, 13 clearances, and 24 tackles, to emerge as one of the vital tenacious gamers of their backline regardless of the presence of a seasoned campaigner like Pritam Kotal. He’s averaging 3.4 tackles per sport within the present season, the best such mixture of any participant within the competitors to this point.
In truth, he has gained 18 of his 24 tried tackles, and might be handful for the Mumbai Metropolis FC forwards like Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Bipin Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, amongst others to take care of on Sunday. Naocha has additionally been extremely concerned in increase play, averaging 41 passes in each match, with an accuracy of 68% on that entrance. His efficiency towards a skilful and environment friendly Islanders’ frontline might be attention-grabbing to be careful for.
Bipin Singh (Mumbai Metropolis FC)
The livewire winger made an on the spot affect within the final sport, organising a aim for Greg Stewart, earlier than scoring the winner within the second-half. Bipin has been one of many terrifically constant performers for Mumbai Metropolis FC through the years. With 22 targets and 11 assists in his ISL profession, the winger has emerged as one of the vital outstanding home stars these days.
In truth, he’s one win away from turning into the fifth participant to succeed in 50 wins with a single membership in ISL historical past, in truth, Bipin (94 video games for Mumbai Metropolis FC) can turn out to be the quickest participant to succeed in the milestone if he earns his subsequent win inside his subsequent six appearances for the Islanders, breaking Udanta Singh’s report (fiftieth win in a hundred and first sport for Bengaluru FC). In Stewart’s absence, he might be hopeful of placing in a powerful outing in one of the vital difficult away grounds within the competitors.
Head-to-Head
Performed – 19
Kerala Blasters FC – 4
Mumbai Metropolis FC – 9
Attracts – 6
Trivia: With 58.9 passes per match, Mehtab Singh from Mumbai Metropolis FC has probably the most passes per sport performed for any Indian participant in ISL 2023-24.
Crew Speak
“I anticipate a superb sport towards a superb opponent. We prefer to compete and play these sort of video games, particularly the gamers, they like these sorts of moments. In fact, as a sportsman, you anticipate a superb sport to see good issues on the sphere. Gamers get pleasure from particularly as a result of it’s Christmas Eve,” Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic talked about within the pre-match press convention, including that he’s anticipating his gamers to be extremely motivated for this sport.
“The consequence was implausible, essential three factors at residence towards a really robust opponent (Mohun Bagan Tremendous Large). It’s a lift for the group and we simply have to hold going and join that with our leads to the subsequent couple of video games. I’m very proud of the squad now we have. The people who find themselves coming in have an excellent alternative, and I’m trying ahead to seeing them play,” Mumbai Metropolis FC head coach Petr Kratky mentioned.