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After what has been a miserable campaign so far, Kerala Blasters, sitting rock bottom of the league standings, will play their last home game of the season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi with their pride at stake.
Visitors FC Goa, who stand third in the league table with 19 points, will be eyeing to cement their place in the top 4 and book a berth in the semi-final playoffs, by doing a double over the Blasters; having already beaten them earlier in the season at Fatorda.
Both Kerala and Goa drew 1-1 in the previous round of fixtures, against Mumbai City and NorthEast respectively and will look to return to winning ways in match number 50 of the Hero Indian Super League.
Kickoff Time and Live Telecast
Live Telecast: Star Sports 2 and 3, Star Sports HD2 and HD3, Asianet Movies (Malayalam)
Live Stream: starsports.com
Date and Time: Tuesday, 29 November 2015 – 19:00 IST
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, Kochi
Team News
The headline team news for Kerala Blasters will be the departure of their English defender, Marcus Williams. The 29-year-old parted ways with the Kerala franchise after a mutual agreement with coach Terry Phelan and the club management.
This makes Williams the third player to make a premature exit from the squad after Carlos Marchena and Sanchez Watt both returned home following injuries that ruled them out long term. Barring these absentees, the Blasters will be full strength going into the game.
Zico’s FC Goa who fired 7 past Mumbai last week has struggled to find their feet since. In-form striker Dudu Omagbemi, a late entrant into the Goa squad is expected to lead the line from the front while Lucio and Gregory Arnolin will form the rearguard for the Gaurs, who have a clean health bill.
“We have two matches still to be played. We have not qualified as yet. We all know these two games against Kerala Blasters and Delhi Dynamos will be very difficult,” said Fernando Vannucci, Zico’s right-hand man and the assistant coach of FC Goa at the pre-match press conference at Kochi.
Probable XI
Kerala Blasters (4-4-2): Sandip Nandy, Saumik Dey, Peter Ramage, Sandesh Jhingan, Rahul Bheke, Josu Prieto, Pulga, Mehtab Hossain, Joao Coimbra, Chris Dagnall, Antonio German
FC Goa (3-4-3): Laxmikant Kattimani, Gregory Arnolin, Lucio, Debabrata Roy, Mandar Desai, Leo Moura Jonatan Lucca, Victorino Fernandes, C.S Sabeeth, Reinaldo, Dudu Omagbemi
Key Battles
Antonio German vs Gregory Arnolin
With 5 goals from his last 4 league games, Antonio German is one of the hottest strikers in the league at the moment. The Englishman will cross paths with a tough opponent in Gregory Arnolin when the sides meet at Kochi.
German may prove to be a tricky customer for Gregory, with his nimble feet and his ability to change direction quickly. The 23-year old’s finishing skills have also gained him some attention in recent times. Gregory, now in his second season with FC Goa is known for his tough and physical defending. The aerial duel between the two will be something to look forward to.
Josu Prieto vs Leo Moura
In midfield, an exciting battle is lined up with attacking midfielders, Josu Prieto and Leo Moura locking horns. The effervescent Josu Prieto is a bundle of energy and has plenty of skills up his sleeve to enthrall both fans and opponents alike. A graduate of the prestigious La Masia, the football academy of FC Barcelona, the Spaniard’s potential is infinite.
Goa’s Leo Moura, who scored against Kerala in their previous encounter, likes to sit deep in midfield and spring into attack the occasion demands some magic. The battle between the two different styles of attacking midfielders will be an interesting watch.
Prediction
The 60,000 odd home fans have backed Kerala to the hill all season long and will fill the stands to cheer their team for one last time this season, in a final hurrah. This home advantage in favour for the Blasters could prove to be the difference between the sides.
Kerala Blasters 1-0 FC Goa
