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Kerala Blasters need a miracle to qualify for the semi-finals of the Hero Indian Super League and face a Mumbai City FC side that faces a similar situation as the Blasters.
The Kerala Blasters Head Coach Terry Phelan doesn’t exactly believe in miracles but believes that his squad is capable of producing some of it on the pitch which can still help his team get into the semi-final spots.
“The ISL has been an exciting league and we have played some very good football and have scored some really good goals. We are in a desperate situation, but so are few other teams in this competition. We believe we have the quality to beat any other team on our day and that keeps us going,” said Phelan as he painted a positive picture of the state of mind of his team.
The Englishman, however, said that it was time that his team got the best out of itself and if they can manage to do so then anything could still be possible. “We must roll our sleeves a bit and start playing to our potential. We must do so consistently in the next three games and if we can do so, then anything is possible in this league,” added Phelan.
Terry Phelan expects a nerve-wracking game at the Dr. D.Y. Patil stadium today as he felt the two sides will leave no stone unturned while preparing for this critical battle which could help either team stay alive in the competition.
“It is going to be a nerve-wracking game. We are having bit of a hard time, they are having bit of a hard time, they need to win their three games and so do we. So I expect both teams to give it their all and that will make it a real top game,” said Phelan as he spoke ahead of the game.
Phelan insisted that his team will go out on the field later today without any fear and will go all out to win the game. “We will go out and attack Mumbai City FC, there is absolutely no point in sitting back and defending.”
“We will have to defend in some parts, but we will go out and express ourselves without any fear. We want to win the game and I don’t think we can do that by playing defensively,” Phelan said.
We must focus on what we can do: Trevor Morgan, Kerala Blasters Assistant Coach
Trevor Morgan who accompanied Terry Phelan at the pre-match press conference was wary of Mumbai City FC’s threat but felt his team needed to focus on what they can do to Mumbai, rather than the other way round.
“We are very well aware what Mumbai City FC can do to us. They have some fantastic players and we are aware of the quality that they possess. But we must be more worried about what we can do to them rather than thinking about what they can do to us,” Morgan said.
