C K Vineeth, right, will have a big ole to play if Blasters are to breach the Chennaiyin defense. Photo: ISLKochi: Kerala Blasters meet Chennaiyin FC in a must-win Indian Super League game here on Friday. The Yellow Brigade need full points from their final home game in the group stage to boost their semifinal hopes.
Blasters have staged a splendid recovery under David James, who took over as coach after the club parted ways with Rene Meulensteen. They have garnered 17 points from a possible 27 under James to occupy the fifth spot with 24 points from 16 games. Blasters need wins over Chennaiyin FC and league leaders Bengaluru FC in their remaining group fixtures to stay alive and then hope other results go their way.
Chennaiyin, who have managed just a solitary goal in their final four matches, are in third place with 28 points from 16 games. A win will seal their place in the semifinals, while a draw won't hurt them either.
Icelandic striker Gudjon Baldvinsson and his strike partner C K Vineeth need to come good for Blasters. It was Vineeth's injury-time strike which salvaged a draw for Blasters in their earlier clash with Chennaiyin. Midfielders Jackichand Singh and Courage Pekuson too hold the key for Blasters.
The return of Lalruatthara after a one-match suspension will bolster the Blasters defense. Chennaiyin coach John Gregory has adopted a pragmatic approach and it has paid dividends so far. A late goal by Keralite Mohammed Rafi helped them earn a draw with Jamshedpur FC in their final game. Striker Jeje Lalpekhlua, who is Chennaiyin's top-scorer this season with seven goals, and Gregory Nelson are likely to test the Blasters backline comprising captain Sandesh Jhingan, Wes Brown, Lalruatthara and Rino Anto.
Blasters are known to raise their game at the crunch and the thousands who are expected to throng the Jawaharal Nehru Stadium will be banking on that. Blasters have fought hard despite the injury woes and Jhingan & Co. will be determined to do best what they can control and then hope for the best.
