ISL 2018-19: How did the big guns fare for Kerala Blasters

Kerala Blasters have started the 18-19 season with a win and a draw after having a disappointing 17-18 season which saw them finish sixth in ISL and they were also knocked out of the Super Cup in the first round by I-League runner-ups NEROCA FC.

David James made more than 10 top signings shaking up the whole squad in hopes of having a better season.

The former Blasters goalkeeper while signing a three-year contract stated that he has long-term plans for the club. This season, he has reiterated that by signing the 18-year old Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem.

He has also given two starts to the young Sahal Abdul Samad who has shown promising signs and has also kept Courage Pekuson and Keziron Kizito out of the starting XI.

Let's have a look at how the big players fared for the Kerala-based side in the first two matches.

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#1 Matej Poplatnik

Matej Poplatnik is entering the prime of his career at the age of 26. Kerala Blasters decided to sign the Slovenian after a very successful second spell with Triglav Kranj in which he scored 46 goals in 68 games, almost a goal per match ratio of 0.7.

Poplatnik scored a goal against ATK on his ISL debut as Stojanovic's deflected shot fell to his head which he got past the goalkeeper successfully.

In the fourth minute of his debut, he got a pitch-perfect cross from the left wing but he missed the opportunity to score as his header went wide. The Slovenian also impressed with his pinpoint corner deliveries.

In the second match, he drew a blank but Poplatnik would be rearing to get on the pitch again as the Blasters face Delhi Dynamos next just after the conclusion of the international break.

#2 Halicharan Narzary

After good performances for NorthEast United and the Indian national football team, Halicharan Narzary was snapped up by David James to replace Jackichand Singh who was signed by FC Goa.

Narzary started the 2018-19 season on a good note as he provided the assist for the second goal which put the game beyond ATK's reach in the first match of this season in the ISL.

In the second match, good play from the Kerala side on the right wing found Narzary in a lot of space who used the time and space available to him and fired the ball in the back of the net past the Mumbai City goalkeeper.

The 24-year old must have taken a sigh of relief after scoring his first ISL goal in his 33rd appearance in the league.

#3 Sandesh Jhingan

Sandesh Jhingan has been a rock at the back for Kerala Blasters in the last three years. He has ably led his side from the back, helping the side reach two finals in four seasons. He has 61 appearances in the ISL, most for any player.

In the first match, the combination of Jhingan and Lakic-Pesic in central defence allowed a shutout for Kerala Blasters as they kept a clean sheet in the first match of the season.

In the second match, Jhingan produced yet another solid performance keeping Sougou at bay with his tackles and aerial dominance.

The 25-year old Indian centre-back got a chance to open his ISL goalscoring tally from a free kick but wasn't able to steer his header on the target.

#4 Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem

A lot was expected from the 18-year old sensation Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem when he signed for Kerala Blasters but he conceded six goals on his debut against Melbourne City FC. On his ISL debut, he kept a solid clean sheet against ATK reinstating the trust of the fans and the manager as well.

He started the second match against Mumbai City brightly, clearing one through ball with a header as well.

But, in the last 10 minutes of the match, he first made a mess of a simple free kick delivery in the box and put the chance of equalizing on Sougou's platter but he fired his shot wide.

Then, in injury time, Bhumij fired a screamer from 40 yards which Dheeraj should have stopped given the time he had to track the direction of the ball.